We have seen it all.
Thousands of dollars invested in erosion control blankets go to waste just because the site engineer or the project supervisor did not install the blankets properly.
Installing erosion control blankets is not easy. The process is likely to be filled with errors if you’re not familiar with the product.
Therefore, as manufacturers, we provide customers with specific guidelines (stated in the installation manual) so that they can execute installation jobs properly.
But more often than not, these manuals are either sitting ideally at the distributor’s office, or they are not even referred to. Because when you initially look at the product, you think it won’t be hard installing it.
It’s just a blanket after all!
And when the installation goes wrong, that’s when panic sets in.
Below, we have reviewed three common installation errors people make when installing erosion control blankets to help you avoid the wrong practices and secure your investment.
Error #1: Installing the blanket upside down
Single net erosion blankets look quite similar on both the sides. It can be hard to establish which side will face up and which side will face the surface. We have seen people installing 6 acres of the product upside down. Of course, an upside installed blanket isn’t going to help you much in controlling erosion.
Error #2: Not installing the toe ins at the top of a slope
It’s common for the installation crew not to install toe ins at the top of a slope when laying down the blanket. It enables them to complete the job much faster. But you see, manufacturers recommend installing toe ins for a reason. It prevents water from sliding beneath the blanket and undermining its efficacy. Installing toe ins is crucial if you really want the blankets to work.
Error #3: Using too few staples
Ahh, we’ve seen this before! Customers returning a pallet and a half of staples, claiming that these had no use and they have secured the blanket successfully as it is…only to find their blanket billowing up in high wind. If air can get under your blankets, so can water. Use all the staples supplied with your blanket; your manufacturer knows what you’ll need to install the blanket successfully.
Do you have any questions regarding the installation of erosion control blankets? Reach out for free advice. We also have a separate Installation Instruction section,set up to provide you with all the necessary information regarding installing erosion control blankets on slopes, channels and streambanks. Check it out!