Whether you live in a new or older home, erosion control is important to the appearance and structural safety of your Northern Virginia home. Erosion control is critical to prevent the loss of valuable topsoil and maintain stable soil structure. More importantly, erosion control eliminates the potential dangers of a compromise or collapse of retaining walls, building foundations, or landscape structures.
Here are the signs of erosion at your home (some are more obvious than others):
- Muddy water in the gutter or driveway
- Bare spots on your lawn or property
- Exposed tree roots
- Small rills or gullies on slopes
- Soil splashes on your windows and outside walls
- Sediment that collects in low areas or on pavement
What can you do to control the erosion?
- Have permeable pavers and other porous natural materials installed to minimize storm-water runoff from driveways. walkways, and patios
- Plant vegetation that is better suited to your landscape conditions. Plant groundcover in areas difficult to mow (as opposed to leaving the site bare). Plant hardy shrubs and trees with deep roots, and add mulch or compost to manage moisture around roots.
- Amend soil where needed to make it more stable, less likely to run off.
- For areas with heavy foot traffic, stepping stones or a gravel or mulch path can be used to cover and protect eroded areas.
- For steep slopes, consider adding retaining walls or terraces, with good drainage
- systems.
For more information on erosion control in Northern Virginia, please contact the erosion control specialists at Premier Paving & Planting. They will come out to your home, assess the situation, and discuss a solution tailored to the needs of your home, landscape, and budget.
