Erosion Control
Oliver Brown Ltd boasts a wealth of industry experience in a wide array of erosion control techniques, ensuring our clients receive top-notch solutions tailored to their specific needs. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our highly skilled team, all of whom hold certifications in essential areas such as CSCS, CPCS, ROLO, NPORS, CTA, and NPTC. These certifications not only signify our dedication to maintaining industry standards but also underscore our ability to deliver reliable and efficient erosion control services. Whatever the erosion control project our expertise and certifications ensure that clients receive optimal results and peace of mind.
Erosion Control Solutions UK
HYDRAULIC EROSION CONTROL
Hydraulically applied erosion control systems are sprayed on and therefore genuinely follow the contours of the ground, with no bridging, air pockets or potential for washout below the matting > Read More
HYDROMULCHING
Oliver Brown Ltd have exclusive access to industry leading products and promote the ‘hydromulching’ technique that has a number of advantages over standard hydroseeding & conventional seeding > Read More
REINFORCED HYDROSEEDING SOLUTIONS
Reinforced systems combine the long-term erosion protection of a Turf Reinforcement Matting (TRM) which is hydraulically infilled with an erosion control hydromulch such as ECOFLEX HP-FGM > Read More
SOIL RUN OFF SYSTEMS
Soil run off and sediment control can be a huge problem on construction sites and areas where vegetation has been removed, creating large catchments of clear land > Read More
DUST CONTROL
Oliver Brown Ltd use pioneering technologies to control dust using our own large and small scale hydroseeding machinery for long periods of time. Saving water, time and money.. Dust must be controlled on sites within the UK, not only for legal reasons, but also for health and safety requirements > Read More
What is a combination erosion control system?
Combination erosion control systems make an excellent choice when it comes to preventing the movement of soil caused by rainfall, snow, ice, irrigation systems, and other natural elements. The combination of matting such as Futerra TRM that is infilled with mulch products creates the Green Armour system.
Why is it important?
Not only does erosion control prevent the movement of the actual soil, but it also prevents the movement of small particles and nutrients which enhances the quality of the soil.
How does it work?
The combination of a matting material that is hydraulically infilled with mulch provides permanent erosion control, with a lifespan of 100+ years. The mixture effectively creates a double barrier when it comes to preventing soil and particle loss. When it comes to erosion that is caused by high winds and extreme water flow, the rigidity of the matting combined with the density of the mulch provides unparalleled protection. It will also help to create a higher density turf thanks to the fact it doubles the speed of germination.
Where can combination erosion control be used?
All landowners should consider combination erosion control for land decisions, particularly with land that is susceptible to erosion. Taking into account factors such as rainfall, average wind-speed, location, and gradient of the land, a combination erosion control method can be matched to site-specific requirements.
Effectiveness:
Combination erosion control systems are extremely effective and hardwearing, and will not unravel, crush the soil, or tear. They are almost 100% effective at reducing soil loss, and particularly lend themselves to high banks and areas open to the elements.
Principles of Erosion Control
Whether through hydroseeding, development or construction, large-scale processes such as these can lead to significantly increased erosion rates, which can have negative effects on both a site and the surrounding environment. Erosion control on sites should always be kept in consideration. This is not just because erosion can make slopes and embankments unstable, which directly impacts any recently built structures, but because erosion can result in the destruction of ecosystems, degraded water supplies and increased flood hazards.
At Oliver Brown Ltd, we have extensive industry experience in erosion control techniques including, Hydraulic Erosion Control, Hydromulching, Reinforced Hydroseeding Solutions, Soil Run Off Systems, and Dust Control. While we will be happy to discuss your individual site-specific requirements in further detail, there are some are basic principles of erosion control which can be followed.
Erosion control measures
The most important function when monitoring erosion is to keep the soil on your site in place. This requires that you limit vegetation removal where possible, and cover bare soils by seeding and covering with straw. While these are effective, additional measures are necessary when working in a sensitive habitat or on a steep slope, for example. Erosion control blankets or matting are typically best applied on steep slopes and can be used to cover soil after seeding has taken place. More information can be found here.
Sediment control measures
Sediment control is essential, but should be recognised as a back-up to erosion control. If erosion control measures fail, sediment control measures are designed to capture eroding soil and keep it on site – preventing further damage to the surrounding environment. An example of this could be using straw rolls on slopes or at the bottom of slopes, or you could use silt fences at the bottom of slopes – permitting they don’t impact drainage on the site. In other circumstances, gravel bags, particularly around drainage inlets, are popular and effective.
However, remember that these measures are not meant to prevent erosion. Instead, they should act as a secondary defence to erosion control, capturing sediment and soil that has eluded erosion control measures before it can cause any damage to surrounding areas. Specific information on solutions and products which can be applied to your site can be found here.
Runoff control measures
Leading on from the importance of sediment control, you should consider a secondary issue to erosion control – water on or surrounding a site. To prevent soil erosion, it is essential to control stormwater and keep it away from bare soils. The first and most effective method is to find a vegetated area that can withstand increased runoff. Then, runoff can be diverted from any bare soils and newly disturbed areas. However, when dealing with a large amount of runoff water, OBL would not recommend it be concentrated in one area. Instead, identify multiple locations which would be suitable for drainage, ensuring your development and the changes to the runoff pattern won’t cause additional erosion after construction is completed. Practical solutions to this provided by Oliver Brown Ltd. can be found here.
Maintenance
Given that each site is unique and most problems require specific solutions, it is important to continually check on the measures you’ve put in place, particularly when there is heavy rainfall. By prioritising these measures on site, you should be able to spot areas that may need additional reinforcement, or require different erosion control methods entirely. Further maintenance should not be seen as a hindrance. This is because such methods—such as regularly clearing out silt that has built up around silt fencing or drainage inlets—not only help the ability of the erosion control measures, but also ensure the success of your project and help reduce its impact on the site and the surrounding environment.
For more advice, contact us. As the UK’s premier Hydroseeding and Erosion Control contractor, we can offer practical advice and will be happy to discuss your requirements in further detail.
