Erosion Control Silt Fence

Black silt fence can be a fast, low-cost stormwater best management practice (BMP) for any construction site with exposed soil. By placing this heavy-duty sediment control fencing around the perimeter, you create a simple barrier that traps dust, debris, and loose sediment before rain can carry them off-site. When installed and maintained correctly, construction silt fencing keeps soil from leaving the jobsite, protects the nearby watershed, and helps you stay in full SWPPP compliance.

There are some basic considerations to keep in mind when planning to use black silt fence as a part of your project's SWPP.

• 1) Stormwater runoff should not exceed 0.5 cfs.
• 2) The drainage (containment) area should not exceed more than 1/4 acre per 100 feet of fence.
• 3) The slope length above the erosion control fence should not be more than 100 feet.
• 4) Life expectancy of a construction silt fence in the field is approximately 6 months, depending on conditions.

Silt fence supplies for installation, including stakes and metal poles are also available. However, for faster and simpler installation, the pre-staked rolls of erosion control silt fence are very popular. Pre-staked silt fence is available in 3' x 100' rolls, with 11, 13, or 17 stakes. Unstaked fabric-only silt fence is for sale in 3' x 1500' rolls. For greater durability, reinforce the erosion control silt fence with wire mesh.

Benefits of Erosion Control Silt Fence

• Simple to install, no special equipment is required
• Keeps your site in compliance: silt/sediment stays on site
• Directs water flow for better management
• Helps prevent erosion
• Filters stormwater runoff leaving the site
• Limits water pollution

Erosion control silt fence for sale is available in three grades of geotextile fabric weights. Choose prestaked silt fence rolls for faster installation, or fabric only rolls for greater economy. Prestaked construction silt fence is available in 100 foot rolls, while fabric only is available in 1500 foot rolls.

Silt fence installation is targeted to each project's specifications. Most construction sites will follow these general instructions:

• 1) Excavate a trench along the perimeter, where the fencing will be installed.
• 2) Drive the staked fencing, if using pre-staked, into the ground in the trench so tha the bottom 6" of fabric in the fencing will be below grade. This important for the performance of the fencing.
  Note: There should be no gaps in the fencing. Join roll ends together by overlapping with a minimum overlap of 6" at stakes or posts only, not betweem.
• 3) Backfill the trench

The fence post spacing distance needed will depend upon the type of silt fence roll selected and the site conditions. Sites with heavy water flow should place the stakes closer together. Ask our experts for help in determining the right post spacing for your project's success and about what other construction silt fence supplies are available.

For the most effective installation of construction silt fence, install tandem fencing, with the two rows of fence line three feet apart. This produces an extra layer of filtration, and a backup in the event of a fence failure.

While silt fencing does not require much maintenance, it does need to be inspected on a regular basis, especially after stormwater events. Watch for gaps in the fencing that could allow unfiltered water through and for tears in the fabric. These should be repaired immediately to keep the project site in compliance. Be ready for those instances and avoid extra and unnecessary site visits by keeping a patch kit among your silt fence supplies.

Sediment can also build up over time against the construction silt fence and render it ineffective. Sediment levels on the inside of the fence should never reach higher than 1/3 the height of the fence. If you notice that the sediment load is causing noticeable strain on the fabric, remove the sediment build up more frequently.