How Do I Use Erosion Control
Erosion control
Erosion control is the practice of preventing or controlling wind or water erosion in agriculture, land development, coastal areas, river banks and construction. Effective erosion controls are important techniques in preventing water pollution, soil loss, wildlife habitat loss and human propert…
Full Answer
What is erosion control blanket?
Erosion control blankets are a type of artificial groundcover designed to prevent or minimize topsoil loss in agricultural and landscaping sites. Most types of blankets are made from natural biodegradable fibers, which are woven together to form a loose mesh.
How long should a blanket be in place for erosion control?
Afterwards, your blankets should be secure enough to withstand wind, precipitation, and animal activity for at least 6-12 months. Many erosion control blankets come with special applicator devices that make it easier to sink lots of fasteners in rapid succession.
How to install a blanket on a hill?
Dig a shallow trench at the top of the slope to install a blanket on a hill. Use a shovel or spade to remove about 1⁄2 ft (0.15 m) of soil in a straight line across the upper part of the slope. This slight depression will help to anchor the blanket, preventing gravity from dragging it downwards once it’s in place.
How to determine how many blankets you need?
A good way to determine how many blankets you need is to measure your site , then divide its total area into sections that correspond to the dimensions of the product you're looking at. Consider buying an extra blanket to account for possible miscalculations or waste.
What happens when you put blankets on your plants?
Once the blankets are in place, your crops or plants will grow right up through the loosely-woven mesh.
What are blankets made of?
Blankets come in a wide range of natural and synthetic materials, including straw, jute, coconut fiber, aspen fiber, or polypropylene plastic. There are no major differences between these materials, except for polypropylene, which is not biodegradable like the rest.
What plants can be used for erosion control?
If you have open ground to spare on your site, consider sewing groundcover plants like purple lovegrass, partridgeberry, or netted chainfern. Vegetation of this sort has many natural erosion control benefits, including providing structure to loose soil, guarding against strong winds, and soaking up runoff water.
Erosion Control Blankets - A Helpful Illustrated Guide
Erosion control blankets (EBCs) are used on both residential and commercial properties to prevent the topsoil from shifting, saving the roots, and promoting long-term growth. A huge number of landscapes in erosion-prone areas utilize some sort of erosion control blanket or fabric. They're affordable, useful, and easy to install.
Once Vegetation is Established, Should I Remove the Erosion Control Blanket?
Erosion control blankets have many benefits, as you'll see later in the article. Removing them might seem like a good idea once the roots are established, but there are many reasons you shouldn't remove them once installed. Getting rid of it too early can ruin everything you've worked for, rendering the process useless.
What's Better: An Erosion Control Blanket or Hydroseeding?
Hydroseeding is one of the most popular forms of erosion control. It's visually appealing since you can watch the protection and growing process.
How Do Erosion Control Blankets Work?
Erosion control blankets work by enabling vegetation a stable place to grow while the seeds take root. As the vegetation takes root the blankets simultaneously degrade, so that over time your left with a natural erosion protected slope.
Benefits of Using Erosion Control Blankets
We've covered comparisons, how they work, and materials, so it's time to show you the numerous benefits of owning an erosion control blanket. It doesn't matter if you use it for your backyard, hills, commercial properties, or anything in between; Erosion control blankets have been and will continue to be used for countless years.
How To Install an Erosion Control Blanket
Below is a general purpose installation overview. You should always reference the manufacturers Installation Guide and any technical project specification for your particular application.
How Long Do Erosion Control Blankets Last?
Erosion control blankets usually last between three months to three years before they biodegrade. However, some nets have a portion that lasts forever. You shouldn't worry about permanent blankets, though; Many buyers prefer this option because they can continue to grow grass and prevent erosion indefinitely.
What is erosion blanket?
What Is an Erosion Control Blanket? Erosion is a naturally occurring issue, as it can be the result of rainfall, wind, severe weather and other climate-based changes. But in many industries, such as construction and land reclamation, altering the existing characteristics of the land and removing vegetation and topsoil can increase the effects ...
Why use erosion control blankets?
Erosion control blankets are excellent for repopulating natural vegetation and building up banks, especially in areas with sensitive ecosystems. They’re also helpful for occasions where using heavy machinery would be unsafe for workers or unfeasible due to the state of the banks, as well as in remote locations.
What is photodegradable erosion control blanket?
Photodegradable erosion control blankets typically have netting made from materials like plastic. The plastic contains UV stabilizers designed to stop functioning after a specific amount of time. After that happens, those parts of the netting break down under exposure to sunlight.
How long does a netted erosion blanket last?
Extended-Term: Netting on extended-term erosion blankets typically have the durability to maintain soil integrity for two years. These blankets are composed of processed slow degrading natural or polymer fibers to extend their functional longevity longer than short-term blankets.
Why do erosion control blankets need to be high porosity?
In general, all erosion control blankets need to have a high level of porosity to allow for airflow and promote moisture retention and plant growth.
What is rolled erosion control?
These blankets typically come rolled like carpets, allowing developers to place and unroll them in their desired locations. Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) consist of organic or synthetic materials or a combination of both. Some of the most common materials include coconut fiber, wood excelsior, agricultural wheat straw, polypropylene blends concrete blends and other synthetic fibers.
How long does it take for a biodegradable erosion control blanket to break down?
Depending on their composition, biodegradable erosion control blankets may break down in a matter of months, or the process may take a few years.
How to make a soil erosion control blanket?
Step 1 – Preparation: Make sure that the surface of the soil is smooth as it can be by removing all rocks and pebbles (as this seriously impairs the functionality of the erosion control blanket). Once the surface is as smooth, it’s time for you to apply fertilizer and lime, and plant your seeds.
How deep should a blanket be on a slope?
Ideally, you should find an anchoring spot at the top of the slop as this simplifies proceedings. Furthermore, the anchor trench should be at least 6 inches deep and 6 inches wide.
How much overlap should be required for blanket splicing?
As a rule of thumb, you should ensure that each blanket has an overlap of at least 8 inches.
Can you anchor a blanket across a slope?
You can choose to anchor it across the slope but we don’t recommend this technique as the constant gravitational pull can move the protective layer out of place. Once you’ve rolled out the erosion control blanket, it’s important to staple it into place.
Can you install an erosion control blanket on a plantation?
You’ve ordered an erosion control blanket and can’t wait to install it to minimize soil erosion. But as you go to install the product on your plantation, you realize that you don’t know how to approach the problem. This is a common problem that most people face.
How to attach erosion control fabric to a field?
Pull the roll of erosion control fabric down to the bottom of the field, and attach the next roll of fabric with a minimum 3-inch overlap, for both horizontal and vertical roll additions. Continue until the entire field is covered in erosion control fabric. Secure with the longest galvanized metal anchor pins available, to reduce stress and stretching.
What is erosion control fabric?
Erosion control fabric can help ensure more successful gardening on terraces, shallow slopes and steep hillsides. It is also proven to control wind erosion on fields and gardens whether tilted or level. Gardens and crop fields in coastal areas, subject to both high winds and high rainfall, benefit greatly from the use of erosion control fabrics ...
How to plant a ground cover?
Effective ground covers include wild flowers and grass of various types. Sow the seeds under coconut fiber and coir erosion control mats. Alternatively, you can plant them either under or over a jute erosion control fabric mat. Seed the field with abundant quantities of the ground cover.
What type of anchor pins are used for erosion control?
Galvanized steel anchor pins are highly recommended for use with erosion control fabric. These pins will hold firmly even in the wettest conditions. Stresses from weight and gravity on erosion control fabric can cause PVC pins to warp and twist, releasing their hold on the fabric, resulting in slippage and poor performance.
How to make a slope in a field?
Dig all large stones and roots out of the soil in the field. Then level the slope down to the desired gradient. Add mulch, compost and/or fertilizer before planting seeds and laying the fabric.
How to stabilize a mat?
To stabilize the erosion control mat, place it in a trench at the top of the slope. Make the trench 6 inches deep and 6 inches in width across the entire high level of the field. Line the trench with fabric, pulling the spool out beyond the lower edge of the trench. Pull up 12 inches of the erosion fabric above the trench, up the slope, and confine the fabric with anchoring pins no more than 12 inches apart through the fabric to the base of the trench.
Why are straw blankets used?
Our straw blankets are primarily used to reduce soil erosion in an effort to reduce suspended solids from entering waterways , which damages wildlife in rivers and streams.
How wide are straw blankets?
Our straw blankets come in 8’ or 16’ width rolls, many lengths are available and custom lengths are available as well. A core can be added to the center of the roll to be installed with equipment. Straw blankets are 100% biodegradable products and standard plastic netting products.
