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FAQ

Silt Fence

Are you equipped to handle unusual specs?

Our customers come to us to meet their difficult custom specifications. We have in our yard all kinds of materials to meet nearly any custom spec. Turnkey silt fence installation is provided. All materials are NPDES II compliant and EPA approved.

How close can you install silt fence to a tree or fence line?

Our equipment needs 2 ft from any obstructions within 7 feet of the ground.

How steep of a side slope can you install silt fence?

Generally 4:1. It varies with the stability of the soils. A good indicator is if you can drive a 4-wheel drive backhoe where you want the silt fence without tipping over, we will be able to install it.

What about rocky soils?

We can plow through soil with isolated rocks the size of phone books without a problem, however, there needs to be enough soil to hold the stakes.

What about mud or standing water?

We can install in mud or standing water as long as it has a bottom to it. As a general rule, if you can drive a 4-wheel drive backhoe without getting stuck, we will be able to install the silt fence.

Can you install silt fence in wooded areas?

We need a path large enough to maneuver our 6 foot wide, 7 foot high machine between the trees.

Why do you charge a move-in fee?

It takes us a certain amount of time to arrive at your site in addition to the 30 minutes we spend loading and unloading. We also do not have a minimum job. A series of lots in the same subdivision where we do not have to load/unload the tractor would only have one move-in charge.

Why can you install it so much cheaper?

We have invented and patented a process that is totally automated. We trench, install fabric, drive stakes and backfill in one pass, all by machine!

Can I buy the machine?

The machine is fairly expensive, especially if it is not utilized full time. You would probably be better off purchasing another backhoe. It also requires specialized knowledge to operate the machine effectively. Our crew chiefs have two months of training before they are sent in the field alone.

Quality of work?

A perfect installation is guaranteed. The machine does not know if it is Monday morning, Wednesday afternoon, or a Friday before a holiday.

What is your service area?

We have crews based in Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Denver. We utilize a central dispatch from our Dayton office to provide you with a knowledgeable person to answer questions and schedule installations.

How to Choose the Proper Silt Fence

Height of fabric

On normal sites that are generally flat, less than 6% slope, regular height silt fence (16” above ground) should be used. On steeper sites, taller silt fence is recommended to make up for the difficulty in positioning the silt fence on the contour. Silt fence should never exceed 28” due to the possibility of flooding from the volume of water if the silt fence should fail.

Post Type

A wood post is the preferred post material. It has the largest cross sectional area to resist side loads in soft soils, the fabric can be more securely attached with wide crown staples than using zip ties or wire ties with t-posts, and they do not have the sharp edges of t-posts that can tear the fabric in heavy repeated wind. On the other hand, t-posts should always be an option in the event that the soils are so hard or rocky that it is impossible to use a wood stake.

Post Spacing

The strength and life of a silt fence can best be improved by reducing the distance between the stakes. The normal specification of 10 feet maximum is truly a maximum distance. Low areas and turns should have closer spacing. The additional cost of 8 foot spacing over 10 foot spacing is about 7% and can be made up through lower maintenance costs.

Post Length

In soils generally found in the Midwest, the post length should be the height of the fabric plus 16” to be driven below grade. There is no benefit to deeper depths because once it is driven 16” deep, the limiting factor on the amount of side loading that can be placed on the stake or t-post is determined by the stake breaking or the t-post bending, not how securely it is in the ground.

Wire Backed

Wire backed silt fence should be used in high load or sensitive areas. The minimum wire size should be 14.5 gauge with a maximum opening of 6”x6”. Stake spacing should not exceed 6 feet on center. Wood stakes are preferred. The wire should be in contact with the ground but it is not necessary to bury the wire. The ground itself will provide lateral support without the buried wire.

Myths

Silt fence works by filtering the water.

No.  Silt fence (and other sediment collecting methods) work by ponding water and allowing time for the suspended soil particles to gradually settle to the bottom. If silt fence worked as a filter it would be plugged up each rainfall.

Wire backed silt fence should be buried to help prevent blowouts.

No.  Blowouts are due to the failure to firmly embed the fabric in the ground, allowing flowing water to create a large hole. Since the wire itself would not help to stop the flow of water, it will not help prevent a blowouts.

Lath should be required on initial installation.

There are many methods that can be used secure the fabric to the stake, the most popular being the 1” crown “roofing” staple, which work well for the life of the silt fence for the loads it is expected to encounter. While it’s agreed that a lath is more secure, it simply just means that the person knocking down the silt fence has to exert a little more force. The lath will not prevent it from being destroyed.

DOT or “Labeled” silt fence fabric is not required on my job.

If the EPA required silt fence on your job it must meet their minimum specifications.

If it is not labeled you have no proof it meets spec. In just the way 2x4’s are each individually stamped with a grade, each silt fence fabric shipment is required to be labeled disclosing its properties.

If you do not see a label, it probably does not meet the minimum requirements for even the lowest grade silt fence.

Unlabeled Silt fence is cheaper.

Since unlabeled silt fence has no strength requirements, it can be a maintenance nightmare. Not only does it require more repairs, an inspector could require that all be replaced with the proper materials.

Curb Inlet Protection

Are curb inlets easy to clean?

Yes. Simply lift the tube blocking the throat and drop it on the ground behind the curb knocking off dried dirt. This will expose the grate cover with its heavy fabric and smooth surface which allows it to be cleaned with a flat shovel or power broom. Replace the tube.

If a truck damages the tube can it be replaced separately?

Yes, oftentimes the corrugated pipe is the only thing damaged and the rebar and fabric can be removed and placed on a new piece of pipe.

What should be done if the grate cover is torn?

The grate cover can be replaced independently from the tube. Simply remove grate and replace the heavy fabric cover.

How heavy is the grate cover?

Some of our contractors compare it to trampoline material. It very seldom gets damaged in normal operations. Occasionally it is punctured but its rip stop design and will take a lot of abuse.

• Double and Single
• Throat and Grate
• Throat only
• Curved Grate Design

Sediment Cages

Why use Erosion Runner Sediment Cages?

• Does not require regular maintenance, vertical fabric does not accumulate a layer of mud after each rain.
• Maintains opening in a flood.
• Easy to install
• Can be installed at the time the storm structure is set.
  

How much maintenance is required?

Very little. Unlike traditional methods where the fabric is laid horizontally on top of the grate, accumulating a coating of mud each time it rains, the sediment cage fabric is vertical and remains clean rain after rain.

How is it installed?

The grate is tilted up and the skirt around the bottom of the sediment cage is tucked under the grate. Sediment Cages should be placed when the grate is first placed on the structure, keeping the job in compliance. No more setting the structure, waiting for backfill, erecting a wood framework, and installing silt fence. Everything can be done at one time.

Does it need to be fastened down?

No. When water flows toward the basin and backs up water, it surrounds the sediment cage, actually holding it in place. It is not like a silt fence where the water is only on one side. Higher water levels even make it more secure.

Can it cause flooding?

No. Its design allows floodwaters to temporarily enter the storm sewer system when the water is high. It will never become fully blocked with mud.

Can the fabric be replaced separately?

Yes. The sediment cage can be recovered in about 10 minutes.

Can it be reused?

Yes. It is not damaged in normal use and can be used repeatedly. If the fabric is damaged it can be replaced separately.

What is the best way to control large amounts of sediment in a parking lot?

A SedCatch™ Sediment Cage™ is the best method to protect a flat pavement grate, even in a parking lot. 

How it works: The manner in which the Sediment Cage™ collects sediment is by depositing the sediment around the device, where it is easy to collect and remove. 

Other devices have sediment deposited upon them, which effectively blocks the drain until the accumulated sediment is removed.  Still other devices store the sediment under the grate, and the grate has to be lifted out to remove accumulated sediment.

Orange Safety Fence

What length t-posts should be used?

5ft. t-posts work fine. Longer posts are unnecessary because the safety fence itself can only resist light loads which generally are less than a 5 ft. t-post can handle.

What should the spacing be between the posts?

12 feet on center is a good spacing. It minimizes sags and gives good support to the fence.

What is rope reinforced?

We wrap the posts with a lightweight rope and fasten the safety fence to the rope every 2 ft. It results in the strongest and best looking job possible. If the fence is to be relocated often as when protecting open ditches, etc. the rope reinforced safety fence is not recommended.

Will it keep everyone out?

No. It is a visual barrier as opposed to a structural barrier. It will make knowledgeable people aware of a hazard. It is not designed to keep kids out.

Can we build a safety fence to different specifications?

Yes. Give us a call for pricing.

Construction Chain Link Fence

Why do you call it Construction Chain Link Fence?

We build a structurally sound fence, but it is not perfectly straight and plumb with precise spacing on the posts. In short, the fence is adequate for construction.

What should the spacing be on the posts?

Ten foot spacing is typically specified which makes for a good fence.

Can we build a fence to different specifications?

Yes. Give us a call for pricing.

Stabilizing Geotextile

What does Stabilizing Geotextile fabric do?

The Geotextile distributes the weight of trucks over a wider area allowing a thinner layer of gravel to be used. It is especially helpful in soft or wet areas. It also helps span the trenches dug for utilities.

Why should you use Stabilizing Geotextile?

The cost of the fabric in nearly all cases is less than the cost of the extra gravel to build and maintain a construction entrance.

When wouldn’t you use Stabilizing Geotextile?

• On an existing drive without trenches that is on firm, compacted soil.