When a Fort Myers dock sags, a lift tilts, or a patio near the river sinks, the lasting fix is to support it on soil that can carry the load, using helical piers or new pilings, or to fill the voids beneath it.
866-398-9323Licensed seawall specialists — FL · GA · SC
Seawall Repairs by Solid Foundations provides marine foundation repair in Fort Myers, FL for riverfront homeowners, HOAs, and marinas. Typical projects include helical piers under docks that settled after Ian's river surge, re-leveling lifts in Iona and Whiskey Creek, and foam lifting of pool decks along McGregor-area seawalls. Call 866-398-9323 or use the quote form to book a free on-site inspection.
Waterfront lots here have been soaked and drained repeatedly. During Ian, USGS surveyed a high water mark of 4.4 feet above ground on the south bank of the river in downtown Fort Myers, and the river gauge hit 7.26 feet above normal high tide (NHC Ian report). When that much water rises through the ground and then drains away through wall joints, it can carry fine soil out and leave hollows under slabs, docks, and walkways.
Helene added to the damage in 2024; NHC counted at least 102 damaged structures in Fort Myers alone. Every flood-and-drain cycle gives loose fill another chance to move.
Three things are usually true under a settling structure:
Steel shafts with helix plates are turned down until torque confirms they've reached bearing soil, then bracketed to the structure and used to lift it toward level. See helical pier installation.
Polyurethane fills voids under decks and patios and can raise the slab without demolition.
Damaged pilings can be jacketed, wrapped, or supplemented.
If soil is escaping through the seawall, pair the work with bulkhead repair in Fort Myers. A dock or deck sitting right behind a leaking wall will keep dropping no matter how well it's supported, because the ground around the new piers keeps washing away. We look at the wall, the drains, and the structure as one system, then fix them in the order that makes each repair last.
Helical piers typically cost $700–$2,000 each, and void fill runs $8–$25 per board foot. Most residential marine foundation repairs in Fort Myers fall between $5,000 and $25,000.
For unincorporated Lee County addresses, the code sets these limits for single-family docks (Lee County Ord. 22-24):
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Dock length (including mooring area) | Max 200 ft and max 25% of navigable channel width |
| Side setback, marginal dock (natural waterbody) | 10 ft |
| Side setback, other docks, lots with 65+ ft of shoreline | 25 ft |
| Lifts and mooring pilings, lots with 65+ ft | 10 ft |
| Slip water depth in natural waterbodies | At least 3 ft at mean low water |
Inside City of Fort Myers limits, the city's own permit review applies. We keep repairs inside your existing permitted footprint where possible. For rebuilds, see marine construction in Fort Myers.
We also do this work in Cape Coral and Naples. See the Fort Myers seawall repair hub.
Often not. If the pilings are sound, we add support and re-level. Damaged pilings can be replaced individually.
Usually because fill beneath it is settling or washing out through the wall. We check the wall and the slab together.
As deep as needed to reach firm soil. We confirm each pier's capacity as it's installed.
In many cases, yes, with foam injection or piers.
Licensed, insured, NCFI-certified. Serving Florida, Georgia & South Carolina since 1996.
866-398-9323