Silt Fence Installation 2

[udmba]

What is the most effecient and effective method for installing silt fence?

Are there any reliable silt fence installers in the Dayton/Columbus/Cincy Ohio are?

Thanks

 

[francesca]

Check this out. Hopefully it'll help.

I've seen 100 yards of incorrectly installed silt fence for every yard of correctly installed silt fence, so forgive me if I'm restating the obvious:

1. Silt fence functions by acting as a dam. It only works if it's installed parallel to a contour. Silt fence installed up or across grade acts as a channel for water, concentrating the flow and eroding a big ditch behind the silt fence and causing it to fall over. Money spent on silt fence installed across or up a grade would be better spent on booze and hookers.

2. Silt fence that is not properly buried will not stand up when water accumulates behind it. Install it properly once, rather than reinstall it after every rain.

3. Silt fence is designed to work in sheet flow and maybe shallow concentrated flow. Silt fence in a ditch or drainage channel will fall over in a decent rain. Use riprap check dams in ditches.

 

[udmba]

Does everyone typcially contract out their silt fence installs or do you do it on your own?

What's the cost per foot of doing yourself?

 

[francesca]

I worked in a consulting firm in a small town on residential developments that typically were 30-60 lots, priced for the entire development, not per item. The contractors would install the silt fence themselves. I have no idea what the cost is, and I can only suggest that you contact your local DOT or utility company, who ought to have substantial enough projects to have silt fence quantified per foot.

 

[cvg]

I think most silt fences fail because they are specified where they shouldn't be. As Frencesca stated, riprap is more suitable for higher flow rates. sand bags and berms are also better for higher flows. silt fence can be successfully used for sheet flow only.

a subcontractor would probably be a better bet if you want a properly installed fence.

 

[francesca]

I forgot to mention that the price for the silt fence will differ vastly if it is installation only, or installation and maintenance. Silt fence frequently needs reinstalling in sections after each rain event.

 

[bltseattle]

Wire mesh backing is very effective at extending the lifespan of an installation. I've seen a subcontractor employed on the project for silt fences only, they used a small Bobcat type tracked excvator to excavate for silt fence installation, which seemed very effecient.

 

[jdaw74]

Here on Long Island, NY, silt fence is installed incorrectly all the time. We call for it to be embedded at least 4", but the contractors just lay it on the ground and get paid for it anyway. What can a design engineer do?!? As far as the cost, I've seen anywhere from $7 - $21 per linear foot depending upon total quantity.

 

[layfieldman]

There are some sub-contractors out there who use a machine called the Tommy Silt Fence Machine

http://www.tommy-sfm.com/

that mechanically installs the silt fence using a a blade which pushes the silt fence into what is basically a slit trench. This is probably the fastest and cheapest way to install large quantities of silt fence and results in a better installation than most trench methods.

I agree with what has been said so far but would also like to add that silt fence should be installed in a wave pattern which allows water to collect in small areas rather than funneling it all into one large pond behind the silt fence.

For ditches and concentrated flow you can also consider a product called Triangular Silt Dike, quick to install and remove and can also be reused.

 

[DirtTimeTV]

"Dirt Time: With John McCullah" is a series of 1/2 shows dedicated to erosion and sediment control BMPs.

We dedicate an entire episode to Silt Fence.

In fact, the Silt Fence episode is playing on

http://www.escn.tv

right now (it will be running for the next 3 weeks).

Check out all the episodes we have to offer at

http://www.Dirttimetv.com

For a preview containing snippets from all of season one, go here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zdcYUo1rqzc

Please take a look and let us know what you think. We are currently shooting season 2 and would love feedback

email: dirttimetv@gmail.com

Thanks,

James