How a Homeowner Can Address Soil Erosion and Runoff on Their Property

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Soil erosion and runoff control are very important for homeowners, as runoff from your own property can mean not enough moisture and hydration in the soil to protect your lawn and garden, and runoff that comes onto your property can mean water collecting around your home's foundation. In turn, the foundation may suffer cracks and water leaks.

Fortunately there are some very simple measures that a homeowner can try when it comes to addressing soil erosion and runoff on their property. Note a few suggestions.

1. Collecting and holding moisture

If you need to collect moisture on your property, consider how you can cover the soil to hold in moisture. Grass is one of the best choices as it grows quickly and covers all your soil. Add mulch around plants and shrubbery and other landscaping features, as mulch holds moisture and protects the ground from sun exposure.

There are also soil erosion mats that you can purchase at any home improvement store. These are actually fastened to the ground and they work to keep moisture from running off the soil. You can also collect rainwater by having trenches dug and filled with PVC pipe or another material that will hold water; holes are usually drilled in the pipe to allow the water to flow out and onto your lawn as it gets collected. This can direct water where you need it and ensure your entire property is hydrated and that the rainwater doesn't simply collect in one area.

2. Runoff controls

If your property needs control of where and how water runoff is directed, you can opt for a retaining wall behind your property, but there are other choices for even more control. Your property may need a grade stabilization, which is when soil is made to be more even and level. If your property slopes in any direction, water will run off in that direction, toward your home or away from soil that needs added moisture.

Riprap refers to a rock lining that can help to block soil erosion caused by water runoff. Soil is dug up and a rock wall is built in that trench before the soil is replaced. Jute netting can also be used in place of rock. You can also treat soil that allows moisture through by digging it up and mixing it with pebbles, gravel, and other hardened materials that will block water flow. The soil is then replaced and the risk of erosion is reduced. For more information, contact a business such as Evergreen Power Seeding Pty Ltd.


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