Down spout erosion can be a huge problem if it is not managed properly. Most down spout erosion issues are caused by water flow in some way or another. Erosion can be caused by the lack of ground cover or absence of a proper retaining system. It is important to know what is causing the erosion so that a proper solution can be crafted to fix the problem. On a normal year your property might not have erosion issues. If we experience heavy down pours or frequent rain, the additional water may present issues that have never occurred before.
Down Spout Erosion
Some of the most common erosion issues found on homes and businesses are down spout erosion issues. If your down spout is not properly connected, missing, clogged or does not extend far enough away from your property you may see signs of erosion. Areas that are susceptible to high amounts of erosion even with proper down spout installation, are usually found in shaded areas. Shaded areas such as wooded properties usually lack significant grass growth which allows the soil to erode. The thicker and healthier your lawn is, the more root system available to hold soil and keep it from eroding.
New Construction Erosion
Most new construction will cause some temporary erosion because of the lack of grass cover. Once grass is installed it will help hold the soil into place to minimize erosion. During new construction it may be necessary to install erosion fences to allow water to flow across the property, but retain all soil run off.
Retaining Walls
One of the best ways to reduce or stop erosion on steep hills is to install a retaining wall. Steep hillsides tend to erode faster than areas with less of a drop off. As always, it is important to direct water flow away from the retaining wall so that it can do its job. Retaining walls can stop erosion, but they will not stop the source of water flow.