Erosion Control in St. Louis Missouri

While erosion is typically slow, it can happen quickly in areas that are more prone to heavy rainfall. When erosion occurs, it can cause severe damage to the land and any building structures, like homes and commercial buildings. Today, erosion repair and erosion control is possible using a variety of different techniques, depending on the property type and the erosion occurring. Property owners should know the signs of erosion as well as some of the solutions available to them to prevent or correct erosion issues.

Signs of Erosion

There are numerous signs of erosion to watch out for, depending on whether the erosion is occurring slowly or quickly. Fast detection of erosion issues can enable a proactive approach to prevent damage to the property and surrounding areas. A few of the signs to be aware of include the following.

• Exposed Tree Roots – Tree roots that are exposed, especially close to rivers or ponds, can be a sign that the ground is moving and no longer as high as it should be around the tree. This can happen slowly or quickly, depending on the severity of the erosion in the area.

• Foundation Washout and Settling – It’s a good idea to walk around the exterior of your foundation a couple of times a year to observe soil levels, hardscape levels, etc. If you notice that soil has eroded in areas around your foundation, or structures joining up with your foundation have settled, it’s time to schedule an inspection with an erosion control expert.   

• Slope Washout or Hillside Erosion – If your property has steep slopes or a treacherous hillside that show signs of settling or crevices along the slope that have been channeled out, you are most likely experiencing hillside erosion that needs inspected by a professional.  

• Sinkholes – Settling in your yard, landscaping or paved surface can be an early sign of a sinkhole formation. An actual sinkhole is noticeable and typically characterized as a hole which has formed somewhere on the property that is alarming and a cause of concern. Remember, the progression of a sinkhole formation is most likely invisible until a hole opens up and makes itself visible and when you investigate down into the hole, it seems to be bottomless. Note: more than 50% of situations where people think they have a sink hole, it is not a sink hole… it is simply a hole caused by animals, decaying tree stumps, a buried drainage pipe, etc. 

• Collapsed Stream, Creek or Pond Bank – After a storm, the bank along a river or pond should not look any different. If it has collapsed, it’s a sign that erosion is occurring and a solution may be needed immediately to prevent further erosion of the land.

• Exposed Rocks – Rocks underground can be exposed as the land over them moves. If more rocks are being exposed after storms, it’s a good idea to look into how to prevent further erosion from occurring.

• Changes in Landscaping – The landscaping of a property can change with erosion. If the landscaping looks to be altering based on water flow, especially if there are significant alterations, or there are bald patches in the grass where nothing is growing, it may be a sign of erosion.

Solutions to Prevent Erosion

Erosion, when caught early or predicted to occur, can often be prevented. Property owners can look into containing stormwater in drainage systems, protecting steep slopes with erosion netting and vegetation, adding retaining walls, temporary fencing during construction, or creek bank stabilization to help prevent erosion before it becomes worse.

• Drainage Systems – Professionally piped downspout water drainage systems, drain grates in the low areas of your property / landscape to capture pooling water and french drains to capture surface / subsurface water along your foundation and in heavily saturated areas. We recommend PVC piping in all drainage system installations.  

• Slope Erosion Protection – After water diversion is achieved, the next key to slope erosion prevention is vegetation. Research native plants such as ivy, shade tolerant plants, etc. that thrive on hillsides in your area. The root structure of the plants help to weave stability into the hillside. During the timeframe that your vegetation is getting established, erosion netting can be used.   

• Retaining Walls – Retaining walls are one of the most common ways to help prevent erosion, and there are several options to choose from. They can be an attractive addition to the property, as well. If there is a significant slope on the property, it is at risk of erosion, but a retaining wall can help prevent this. Many property owners use the land behind retaining walls for gardens, especially if there are multiple levels.

• Temporary Erosion Fencing – During construction, the land is being disturbed significantly, so there is a risk of erosion even though it may not be there once the construction is done. Temporary fencing, called a silt fence, can be used in this situation. This type of fencing is easy to install and once the construction is done, it is removed and more permanent solutions can be installed, if necessary.

• Creek Bed Erosion Prevention – Creek banks can collapse if there is a significant amount of water flowing through them. Erosion can occur quickly when there is flooding or over time. When this happens, there are a variety of solutions available to restore the creek bed and help prevent erosion from occurring in the future. Rip rap rocks to line the creek bank edges are one of the most common solutions that can be used with great success.

Controlling Existing Erosion

If erosion is already occurring or has occurred, measures may need to be taken to control it and prevent it from getting worse in the future. There are options for this, as well, depending on what has occurred and what may be needed to stop it from getting worse.

• Water Diversion Drainage Systems – Ensuring that stormwater is not flowing onto erosion prone areas is the key to controlling the erosion of additional soil. Once water is diverted, oftentimes it can allow you more time to budget for the erosion repair to stabilize the eroded area permanently. 

• Slope Repair – Retaining walls can be used to help prevent slope erosion, but if it has already begun, repair may be needed before a retaining wall is even considered. Experts can bring in special soil, heavily compact the area creating a solution for preventing further erosion in the future, and make sure the work done is successful. An expert is needed to determine the right way to repair the slope and prevent erosion.

• Creek Restoration – If a creek bed has collapsed, it can be restored. This includes adding soil as needed to restore the bank, establishing new vegetation to help prevent erosion, and keeping an eye on the creek to make sure it is continuing to be protected. Any new signs of erosion can then be dealt with quickly to stop it from getting worse.

Erosion is a major issue that can have serious consequences when left unchecked. However, there are numerous erosion control products available that can help repair and prevent erosion. If you suspect erosion is damaging your property, contact us today for a professional inspection and consultation.