Slope stability is another crucial factor that should be addressed, especially for properties surrounding hills, mountains, rivers, lakes, and ocean shores. When unabated, it poses a threat to any property; vegetation, or building foundations, and even transports sediment and debris to water bodies. Tarpaulins are among the most effective and cheapest tools that can be used to manage erosion.
What Are Tarpaulins?
Tarps referred also to as tarps are large, thick fabric or plastic sheets that can withstand waterlogging as they are either waterproof or water resistant. Marine plywood is produced in different sizes, material types, thicknesses, and a range of colors. Some of the common types of tarps that are available on the market include those that are made from polyethylene, vinyl, canvas, nylon, or polyester. The size required will depend on the coverage area that is required to be covered by this sheet.
How Tarpaulins Control Erosion
If spread appropriately on bare inclined ground, tarps can significantly reduce the rate of water forces during rains. This results in the water settling down on the ground and being absorbed by the soil instead of creating gullies, rills, and other erosional features. They also protect the soil area from wind-borne particles by providing cover. They guard young plantings and prevent the erosion of soil and sediments when vegetation is established.
Choosing the Right Tarp
On this, there is the need to ensure that one gets the best tarp that will offer a long-lasting solution since erosion is a slow process that will take some time. It is also worth noting that thick fabrics are likely to be durable especially when used outdoors as compared to their thin counterparts. 18-20 mil polyethylene and vinyl tarps are ideal. They do not rupture, degrade from fungi or mold, or deteriorate due to tear, puncture, or exposure to UV. Just make sure to get the largest tarp size you can fit into your area to require minimal seams. It is recommended to select shades like black or brown in case you desire the soil to soak up heat to encourage quick germination when seeding.
Installation Tips
However, for Canvas Tarpaulin sheets to control erosion adequately, proper installation is critical. Here are some key tips:
Make sure to prepare the area sufficiently, and level the surface if possible to ensure that no space is left between the tarp and the ground. Remove debris.
Make sure the tarp is tightly fixed to the ground, especially in areas with slopes or a high probability of intense wind. Some of the other accessories that can be used include landscape staples, sandbags, or stakes which should be placed at intervals of 4-6 feet around the edges and in the middle.
Place the tarp edges at least 1/2 inch apart and fold the additional tarps if one tarp is not large enough to cover the area.
This is by driving rows of staples along the top and bottom of the slope to ensure the tarp is firmly fixed on the ground.
Some of the control structures that can be used include wattles, berms, or silt fencing at the lower side of the tared areas with slopes.
They need to be inspected regularly and the tarps and anchors should be fixed over time where they are damaged.
Sow seeds, grass, or any other vegetation in the area as soon as possible after installing the tarps since this will help to increase the erosion control capability of the area.
Erosion control tarps are an effective way of preventing erosion on construction sites and in other environments where soil is exposed to wind and water.
Tagged: Erosion Control Tarps
Some ideal applications for tarps include:
Sloping and leveled construction areas with rocks and other substandard construction materials waiting for development.
Sensitive areas such as the banks and dams as well as hilly areas where seedings or settings have recently been undertaken
Found in inclined, unplanted dirty terrains such as farms, mining activities, and logging roads.
Accreted sediment plain areas for stabilization of stream banks and shorelines
Tarps normally have the capability of covering the soil for a month or several years provided that they are effectively placed on the ground and well cared for. They should be regarded as complementary to other systems such as native plants, terraces, or retaining walls.
Conclusion
Using Tarpaulin can be a cheap means of preventing soil erosion aside from acting as a temporary measure towards soil preparation and stabilization for further landscaping. The challenge is to ensure that using a tarp that does not deteriorate fast due to weather conditions, is well placed for it to effectively protect the plants from all forms of weather until vegetation is firmly set. In some situations, erosion control can be a costly affair but with tarps placed properly and well maintained, the problem can be solved in the long run.
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