If your property has sloped areas, areas such as landscaping may be at risk of damage from soil erosion when spring rains come. In today’s post, the local gutter and roofing contractors at [company_name] share a quick guide on how you can protect your landscaping.

Soil Erosion

Signs of Soil Erosion

Erosion happens when a large amount of water flows down a slope and carries the topsoil with it, exposing the layers underneath. Topsoil is essential for maintaining landscaping, as plants need it both for nutrients and for root growth. Most people think of mudslides when discussing soil erosion, but it’s actually of the more extreme variety. Most types of soil erosion are more subtle, but not without signs such as exposed roots and the presence of soil or mud on the pavement.

How to Control Soil Erosion

Major soil erosion problems are best handled by an experienced landscaper. However, there are some things that you can do to help minimize its effects:

Keep the gutters clear — Overflowing water from the gutters can cause many problems, from causing water infiltration through gaps in the siding to saturating the areas around the house foundations and causing them to settle. Making sure the gutters are clean and well-maintained can help reduce the risks of soil erosion.

Install barriers — Barriers or baffles are used to obstruct or divert water that’s directly flowing downhill. You can make your own barriers by partially burying stones or timbers parallel to the slope.

Build riprap — Riprap is a barrier made of loosely stacked rocks installed on a slope. They are typically used on shorelines where erosion is caused by a body of water. Building riprap involves a lot of heavy lifting and is best left to professionals.

Apply mulching — Mulch is organic material that’s typically made of decaying leaves, bark, or compost. If applied properly, mulch can help protect the topsoil from minor erosion. It can also help maintain soil nutrient and moisture levels.

[company_name] is your leading provider of gutter and roof replacement services. Give us a call at (859) 368-6346. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Lawrenceburg, KY, and the surrounding communities.