Exteriors

Combating Erosion Issues On Your Property

fewfwfqfErosion of your soil means that it’s breaking away from its original components and turning into loose, unworkable dirt. The result is a muddy or loose textured soil and an increase in damage to the surrounding area. This can wreak havoc on the ecosystem and have a detrimental effect on the appearance of your overall property. Combating erosion on your property starts with taking a good look at your property, how it’s sloped and where the main problem lies. Here are a few ways that you might be able to control an erosion issue on your property.

Add A Retaining Wall

One way that you can get a hold on soil that is breaking away on your property is to build a retaining wall. A retaining wall helps by providing a solid support to dirt that tears and washes away due to rain or wind. Not only does it help add more structure to a particular area, it also creates a nice aesthetic effect and can help greatly improve your homes overall property value. A retaining wall can be brick, stone or concrete depending on your needs, budget and who you hire as a contractor. Some artificial walls, like precast retaining walls, are used by certain contractors. The retaining wall will be measured, grated and built to spec based on the slope and overall condition of the soil. Gravel and other aggregates will be brought in to help create a solid foundation and to help build up a structural unit that can safely hold everything in place. The result is something you can incorporate into your landscape that is permanent for years to come.

Plant Trees And Bushes

Erosion is caused by two main factors—water and wind. Both water and wind damage can wreak havoc on your property. Over time it can cause the ground to weaken significantly in certain vulnerable spots. One way to combat the harsh effects of wind is to plant certain trees and bushes on your property in these areas. The trees will provide a barrier that will help protect the soil and reduce the risk of overall damage. When you combine dense bushes and greenery in addition to a retaining wall, you add more layers of protection and more places for the soil to hold itself in place. This helps improve grass seed growth and prevents seeds and nutrients from being washed away from their original growth site or from drowning completely. Working with both your general contractor and your landscaper will help you come up with a conservation plan that may include new seedlings in addition to more mature trees or bushes being placed in strategic areas.

Install Proper Drainage

Do you have a driveway, patio or sidewalk that is buckling? Have you noticed a lot of cracking or breaking away of the concrete or pavers on your property? It could be an underlying sign of improper draining. Water can easily get trapped underneath these surfaces and not flow away properly. Or it can cause areas around your driveway to pool up in places it shouldn’t. This is another type of problem caused by erosion. When this water builds up, it pushes important soil away or diminishes it greatly. The result is damaged concrete and lack of nutrients for your plants and grass. Having a pro come out to install proper drainage pipes in and around your property is essential in promoting good drainage and improving the lifespan of your yard and concrete surfaces.

Have Your Septic Field Inspected

Have you been noticing a greener area in your yard where your septic tank is? Maybe a pooling of water in certain spots? This could indicate a problem with your septic field. It could be full, or it could be malfunctioning. Having a septic tank professional come out and examine the area, look at the tank and drain it down is a good start. Sometimes septic fields are prone to erosion because of the high moisture content in the ground. This creates an unstable environment for your yard and triggers erosion issues. Getting the problem resolved and having routine septic tank inspections can help improve soil quality.

Erosion affects more than just the way your yard looks and how the grass seed grows. It can have a long-lasting impact on the environment around you. Start by being proactive today about your yard’s health.

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