What Is Silt Fence, and Where Is It Used?
If you’ve recently run into the term silt fence and you’re not sure what it is or where it’s used, you’re in the right place.
Let’s take a closer look at what silt fence is, where it’s used, and where you can find it.
What Is Silt Fence?
Silt fence is a low – usually about 600mm or 2 feet high – strip of geotextile fabric that is attached to wooden stakes. As the name suggests, it’s used to prevent the movement of silt or loose dirt, often on construction sites and where there is landscaping underway.
Why Is Silt Fence Necessary?
There are many reasons why you wouldn’t want loose dirt or silt to flow from one part of a construction site to another. Silt fence is also used to prevent silt runoff into waterways, onto pathways and in other ways.
It’s often installed at the base of slopes that are primarily made up of loose dirt, and their purpose is simply to catch any silt or mud that might flow down those slopes before they can be properly stabilized.
Is Silt Fence Easy to Install?
Yes – silt fence is very easy to install. All you need to do is unroll it and then knock the wooden stakes into the ground. It’s just as easy to remove it when you’re finished using it.
Is Silt Fence Expensive?
Silt fence is usually very cheap, and it’s certainly cheaper than trying to clean up the mess that loose dirt and silt can make on your site!
Where Can You Get Silt Fence?
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There are many places where you can purchase silt fence. Many big box hardware stores carry a variety of options, as do companies that supply civil materials and supplies like culverts and guardrails. You can even buy silt fence from Amazon and have it delivered nearly anywhere. Many co-ops and agricultural supply stores might also carry silt fence if your project is a little outside of big cities. |
Ironically, many fence companies don't stock silt fence for sale, although they might use it on their projects. So you're unlikely to be able to buy silt fence on it's own from your local fence company. A;though it never hurts to ask if you don't know where else to try!
