It is extremely important to be prepared for heavy rains or winds before they take place by protecting your home and land from potential erosion. This is also vital after a fire to prevent further loss of sediment. There are numerous options depending on the severity of the climate and what pitch your home is situated on. We will cover the most frequently used methods and those advocated by the city of Santa Barbara.
Planting Vegetation- Trees and plants are a common way of preventing soil erosion. The plants act as a protective shield against heavy wind and rain. Wild flowers, small tress and herbs are popular choices for preventing soil erosion.
Mulch- Consists of a mixture of wood chips and occasionally leaves or pine needles. This method should be used to temporarily protect soil from eroding under wind and rain. This is best used for areas with a slope of less than 33%.
Geo Textiles/Matting- Typically made of wood fibers, mats are placed on the soil to retain moisture and allow plants to grow up through them. They are also biodegradable and are a great way to lessen the amount of sediment erosion from rainfall.
Fiber Rolls- These are rounds of tightly bound straw or flax. The best method to use these is to line them up and create a series of rows on the slope face. They catch loose sediment and slow water, keeping soil trapped behind the straw to prevent erosion.
Silt Fence- The poles are anchored into a trench and backfilled to stay secured. Then a mesh material is connected to trap water and sediment behind the barrier and prevent loss of soil material.
Retaining Walls- These act as a shield for loose soil and maintain the structure of your landscaping by diverting water to a designated area.
Slope Drains/Drainage Ditches- These carry water away from your home by diverting its flow typically into a larger gutter or dike. If your home is near a heavy stream of water flow, this is a great way to keep your house dry and protected.
Sandbags- Typically this measure is only taken when severe weather strikes to keep water from pooling near your home. Bags are typically stacking to form a wall and divert the flow of water away from a certain area.
When you combined these methods together around your home and property, it will help to greatly decrease the amount of runoff created by your home and dramatically reduce the amount of erosion that occurs.
Author Resource:
We are a local, licensed and insured contractor serving the Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpenteria area. If you would like more information on Santa Barbara construction or need a building contractor feel free to check us out on our website www.constructionsantabarbara.com
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