Today’s Erosion and Sediment Control Tip: #6

When installing Rolled Erosion Control Products (blankets) you often hear the term “intimate contact”.

Blankets must have soil surface contact and that contact must be maintained until vegetation is established in order for the blanket to be successful.  Rainfall goes thru the blanket material to the ground surface.  If not infiltrated, the rainfall then travels downslope as runoff on the soil surface.  If the blanket is not in full contact with the soil surface, the runoff will erode the soil as if the blanket doesn’t exist.  Also, for extreme runoff events, the blanket could float as most blankets are lighter than water.

So, there is a reason that manufacturers specify the minimum stapling for their product, and it never hurts to have more staples than required.  Staples are cheap insurance.

 

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