As an excavation contractor, erosion control is a key part of what we do. Soil erosion, if left unchecked can cause significant damage to a property. When working on a piece of land, a good excavation contractor can help you understand how this phenomenon affects your property, and advise you on what steps to take to avoid it.
What is Soil Erosion?
Simply put, soil erosion is a natural process that strips away the top layer of soil. Vegetation needs soil to grow, so when the soil washes away, it causes both practical and aesthetic problems. Soil is good at absorbing water, so when the soil is stripped from a piece of land, it is left prone to flooding.
What Causes Soil Erosion?
There are two primary causes of soil erosion: water and wind.
While significant water events such as heavy rain and flooding can erode large amounts of soil in a short period of time, prolonged light rain can also cause gradual damage that adds up over time.
Wind erosion happens when wind blows soil from one place to another. Some types of soil are more susceptible to this than others. Arid regions are much more likely to suffer from soil erosion due to wind as dry soil is lighter and more easily blown around.
Aggravating Factors
There are some factors that can accelerate the soil erosion process. These can include but aren’t limited to soil compaction, lack of organic matter and vegetation, loss of soil structure, inadequate drainage, and soil acidity problems are other serious soil degradation conditions that can accelerate the soil erosion process. Luckily, there is much that can be done to prevent soil erosion.
Erosion Control Techniques
There are a number of strategies that excavation contractors employ to slow soil erosion. We’ll cover a few of the more common strategies below.
Landscaping – Strategic landscaping is a common way to stop soil from eroding. Water pushes soil downhill, and if the existing slope is flattened by creating a rock wall or terracing a property, the process of erosion can be slowed considerably.
Vegetation – Planting bushes, trees and other vegetation helps to stabilize soil. When the roots grow down into the land they bind the soil together and help prevent it from being washed or blown away. Landslides are more common in areas that have experienced recent wildfires for exactly this reason. When the vegetation is burned up, there is nothing left to hold the soil in place and it is more easily washed away.
Water Management – Directing water away from areas that are prone to erosion is a key strategy in preventing it. This can be done with pipes, channels, careful grading and other strategies. The important part is to plan for the high volumes of water that come in storms to protect a property during significant weather events.
We Can Help with Erosion Control
Left unchecked, soil erosion can cause significant damage to your property, and reduce its value. Every piece of land is unique, and requires a custom plan to stabilize soil and prevent soil erosion damage. Whether you’re looking at preventative maintenance or looking to remediate a piece of land that has been damaged by soil erosion, Erdem Excavating is here to help!
We will work with you to develop a custom strategy that respects your land and your budget. If you’re looking to work with Victoria’s most trusted excavation contractor, give us a call today!
