A super silt fence is an eco-friendly way to avoid silt pollution from seeping into rivers and drains. Its installation can be essential during your construction or landscaping project to prevent the severe effects of extreme weather conditions like high winds and storms.
A silt fence is easy to install; however, an improper installation can make it ineffective. Let’s learn about the super silt fence, its installation, and its maintenance afterward.
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What Is A Super Silt Fence?
A super silt fence is a long-lasting barrier that controls sediment runoff while a construction project is underway. It is a combination of a chain link fence manufactured with high-end polypropylene material woven in.
This reinforced fence is generally installed on the perimeters of construction sites. It is also used in areas with extreme erosion and sloping. They can help prevent high sediment runoff from these sites into nearby areas like fields and streams that fall into larger water bodies.
The difference between a standard fence and a super silt fence is mainly in the chain-link wire that provides extra strength and better protection. Installation of a super silt fence reduces pollution of sensitive environmental bodies like rivers and streams that might get affected otherwise.
How Does A Super Silt Fence Work?
The metal chain-link structure of a super silt fence provides support while the woven polypropylene material. prevents the silt and contaminated soil from polluting the surrounding areas of the construction site while still allowing water to pass through.
The mesh fencing is lightweight and can be easily moved around according to your requirements. The stakes are embedded into the soil around the construction site
This fence has a range of applications, preventing silt and soil movement from:
- Spillways
- Floodways
- Riparian zones
- Swale channels
- Soil stockpiles
How To Install A Super Silt Fence
A super silt fence comes with almost all essential accessories required for the installation. A proper installation is necessary to ensure maximum protection.
Install it only in places where shallow pools can be formed as its structure cannot withstand high water levels.
Once you have your fence, follow these simple steps to install it like a pro:
- First, lay out a plan and mark all the boundaries for the intended placement of the super silt fence.
- Dig the ground to make a trench of at least 30cm deep and 20cm wide for the entire run of the fence.
- Place the fence fabric into the dug trench at up to 8inches. Make sure it runs upward. The stakes of the fence should be on the downside of the trench.
- Now, link the super silt fence chain to the post using pipe ties.
- Once the fence is in place, bury the bottom of the fabric and refill the trench completely.
- As you continue burying the fabric, pound the fence stakes into the ground every 8 feet.
- Backfill the ditch after all the stakes are in place. Use a compactor to tamp the soil tightly, so the stakes remain intact, keeping the fence from collapsing.
Super silt fencing is available in rolls with wooden stakes attached at a regular interval of 8 feet. You can usually purchase a fence in 50-ft. or 100-ft rolls as per your requirement.
Check the integrity of the wood stakes before buying a fence, as pre-staked silt fences may have been in the store inventory for long periods.
Benefits Of Using A Super Silt Fence
Installing a super silt fence near a construction site brings many benefits. Let’s look at some advantages of a super silt fence.
Eco-Friendly
A super silt fence is a reliable and cost-effective method to protect local environmental bodies from potential pollution risks.
The sediment runoff from construction sites generally contains chemicals and other contaminants that could affect the water streams and rivers. The super silt fence prevents this contamination by keeping the sediment runoff from entering the water bodies.
Easy Installation
Besides being lightweight and portable, a super silt fence has simple installation. It comes with all the essentials like posts, staples, hog rings, and other fencing materials. You can quickly install this temporary fence to prevent contaminants from getting into local waterways.
Durable
While a super silt fence is easy to handle and carry around, it has a sturdy construction that lasts up to several months. The excellent durability to strength ratio makes it a perfect choice for long construction projects.
Inexpensive And Recyclable
Super silt fences are a relatively cheaper option to reduce mud and sediment runoffs. The fabric is long-lasting so that you can use it for multiple projects. Also, the polypropylene and geotextile material is entirely recyclable, making the super silt fence a worthy investment.
High Filtration Ability
The woven design with the chain-link structure of the fence allows only a negligible amount of sediments to filter through it into the nearby areas. It is effective in containing dirt, silt, and other displaced materials.
The right size and proper installation of the fence are essential to ensure that sediments do not leave the construction site and move into nearby water bodies. Also, silt fence is designed for sheet flow only and thus, should not be used in sites of concentrated flow.
Super Silt Fence Maintenance
Regular maintenance and inspection are necessary to maintain the functionality of a super silt fence. Moreover, inspecting the fence, especially after heavy rainfall, for any damage is vital.
Make sure to do all necessary repairs, so the fence maintains its shape and structure. Also, remove excessive deposits on the fence at regular intervals.
Once the ground is stabilized and there is no longer a risk of erosion, pull up the stakes and remove the silt fence.
Bottom Line
When installed correctly, the woven-fabric fence holds the dirt and sediment while allowing the water to seep through it. You can purchase a super silt fence at a very affordable price to prevent land from eroding into local water bodies.
