12 JunErosion Control for Residential Construction
Residential Erosion Control Products for New Home Construction
Erosion control can be challenging on any construction site. Mitigating erosion on residential construction projects, however, comes with a unique set of challenges.
Whether you’re building a single family home or an entire new subdivision, erosion control must be mitigated and managed during all phases of construction. Set your site up for success by selecting the right residential erosion control products that meet your projects needs.
Erosion and Sediment Control Plans for Residential Construction
Every construction site needs a plan to prevent and manage stormwater and erosion. These requirements, however, may vary by state and even locality.
In Virginia, construction operators are required to obtain a General Permit if the site meets either condition:
- land disturbance is greater than one acre
- land disturbance is less than one acre and are part of a larger common plan of development or sale that ultimately disturbs one or more acres
Single family detached homes that are not building on more than an acre of land, and don’t have plans to, are exempt from the General Permit. These sites, however, may be inspected and held accountable to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.
The General Permit requires the land disturbing operator to develop and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that is specific to the construction site. The SWPPP should:
- Outline the steps to reduce runoff pollutants
- Identify sources of stormwater pollution
- Include methods to reduce pollution during and after construction
The SWPPP includes an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, a Pollution Prevention Plan and a Stormwater Management Plan.
Residential Erosion Control Products for Sediment Control
Phase one of construction begins once the plans are approved and permits are obtained. Depending on the land where you’re building this phase may involve clearing trees or grading for perimeter controls.
Reducing runoff pollutants starts during the first phase of construction. Establish smart erosion controls at the start of the project to prevent stormwater pollution during and after construction.
Start by securing the construction perimeter with Silt Fence or Silt Sock. These sediment control products trap sediment laden runoff by capturing the solids and pollutants and allowing filtered stormwater to flow through. A secure perimeter is especially important on new construction home plots because the ground is typically flat and lacks vegetation which means runoff will freely flow from site to street if not mitigated.
Silt Fence for Sediment Control
Historically, Silt Fence has been the first choice for sediment control around construction sites. Silt Fence establishes a clear perimeter around the site, but more importantly, the temporary fence controls sediment that escapes during land disturbance. Silt Fence’s woven slit film polypropylene yarns retain sediment and allow a filtered release of stormwater.
You have a few options for Silt Fence for residential construction. Always consult your project specifications, engineers, and local regulations before purchasing Silt Fence fabric. Options for Silt Fence include:
- Silt Fence Pre-Attached with Oak Fence Posts
- Logo Silt Fence
- 400EO Silt Fence with delineation
- Black or Orange Commercial Silt Fence
Silt Fence is a reliable choice for residential erosion control perimeter control. If you are looking for an alternative solution, however, consider Silt Sock for your project.
Compost Filter Silt Sock for Perimeter Control
Although Silt Fence is the popular choice, Silt Fence s subject to a lot of wear and tear on subdivisions. The temporary fence often gets trampled, run over and collapses. If your Silt Fence fails during a rain event, sediment laden runoff will freely flow into streets or streams. If your Silt Fence is compromised when an inspector arrives on site, that could result in a fine for you.
The alternative to Silt Fence is Compost Filter Silt Sock. Silt Sock traps runoff sediment in its mulch matrix. Options for Silt Sock are extensive but the common sizes for residential construction include:
- 8″ x 200′ continuous pallet
- 8″ x 10′ wattle
- 12″ x 110′ continuous pallet
- 12″ x 10′ wattle
Pallets of Compost Filter Silt Socks are very versatile. If you purchase a pallet and have leftover product, tie off sections of the wattle and use it for inlet protection, check dams or any location where you need to dissipate sheet flow and filter stormwater.
Installing continuous pallets is fast and simple but it does require equipment. Compost Filter Silt Sock is easy to repair and replace if a blowout does occur.
Inlet Protection for Residential Erosion Control
Perimeter sediment control products are the first line of defense for capturing runoff pollution. The second step to reducing runoff pollution is protecting inlets.
It is critical to protect your inlets through all phases of construction. That includes existing inlets like curb inlets and new inlets where stormwater pipe is installed.
More than likely you will need a combination of Curb Inlet and Drop Inlet devices. These residential erosion control products trap silt and sediment before pollutants enter the stormwater system.
When you’re considering what inlet protection devices your development needs, consider how your devices were treated on previous projects. Like Silt fence, inlet protection devices are often run over by equipment and displaced. Choose an inlet protection product that is easy to maintain and tough enough to last the duration of the project.
Curb Inlet Protection
We recommend the Dandy Curb for residential construction projects. The Dandy Curb is a tube wrapped in orange monofilament fabric. Attached to the front of the tube is a Velcro pouch. Add clean stone to this patch to weight the Dandy Curb in place and pre-filter debris.
The Dandy Curb is designed to fit most curb inlets and is stocked in the following sizes:
- 6-foot
- 8-foot
- 10-foot
- 12-foot
The Dandy Curb should be installed with one foot of overlap at each end of the gutter pan. For example, a 4-foot gutter opening will need a 6-foot Dandy Curb.
After rain events, clean off the front pouch and remove sediment build up.
Drop Inlet Protection
For drop inlet protection, we recommend the Dandy Sack. The best thing about the Dandy Sack is that it hangs below the grate.
This means it can withstand vehicle, equipment and pedestrian traffic. When homeowners begin to move into the development, there is no unsightly construction device collapsing on or near the road.
The Dandy Sack is designed to fit most drop inlets but can be custom manufactured to fit your specific grate. Common sizes include:
- 30″ x 30″
- 32″ x 32″
- 36″ x 36″
To maintain the Dandy Sack, simply remove the grate and the bag to clear out sediment build up after storms.
Residential Erosion Control Products for Soil Stabilization
The last key to erosion control on residential construction projects is seeding and soil stabilization.
Seeding Lots and Lawns
After the site work is complete and curb and gutter is in, subdivision lots begin to develop independently of each other. On large subdivision projects, one section may even develop months after another. That means you need to have ground cover during those months of inactivity. Ground cover is the key to reducing erosion and prevent runoff pollution on construction sites.
Hydroseeding is the best way to get fast and widespread ground cover. Hydroseeders hydraulically spray hydromulch, grass seed, fertilizer and soil additives. Hydroseeding is ideal for inactive lots, backyards, subdivision entrances and paths. Hydroseeding mixes vary greatly but most contractors prefer a seasonal Contractor’s Mix Grass Seed. Our Contractor’s Mix Grass Seed works great for hydroseeding because it is cost-effective and custom blended to meet the needs of our Mid-Atlantic season.
When it comes to front yards and curb appeal, select a higher quality seed like a pure Fescue. Sod is also a great option for pad lots in a subdivision because it is attractive in a growing neighborhood.
Stabilize with Erosion Control Blankets
If you need additional soil stabilization, you may need to install erosion control matting. There are endless options for Erosion Control Blankets and the selection ultimately comes down to the severity of your slope and erosion.
Residential developers that are concerned about degradability, however, should select a Biodegradable Erosion Control Blanket. These environmentally friendly erosion control blankets are 100% biodegradable which means they will fully degrade over time.
Most erosion control matting is only partially degradable. When homeowners move in and start to mow their lawns, the netting from a standard Erosion Control Blanket can get caught in lawn mower blades. This causes a lot of stress and might even result in damage to yard equipment. Opt for a biodegradable netting instead and choose from one of these Biodegradable Erosion Control Blankets:
- All Natural Single Net Straw Blanket
- All Natural Double Net Straw Blanket
- Curlex I FibreNet
- Curlex II FibreNet
- All Natural Straw/Coconut Erosion Control Blanket
Choosing the Right Residential Erosion Control Products for Your Project
Like all construction projects, there isn’t a one size fits all answer for erosion control. The products you choose should equate to the size and scope of your plans. Pre-Attached Silt Fence, HDPE pipe and a good grass seed might be all you need for erosion control on a single family home project. Larger subdivisions, however, will require more solutions.
Save yourself time and stress by selecting smart residential erosion control products that can withstand wear and tear. Integrate these products into plans so there is a solution in place if an erosion control or stormwater management issue arises.
Ask us for a quote for residential erosion control products before you start your next project.
