Erosion Control Blankets

Site Preparation:

Grade and shape the area of installation. If applicable, prepare seedbed by loosening 2” to 3” of topsoil. Application of lime and mixed grade fertilizer is recommended prior to seeding and installation of blankets & mattings. Make sure soil is free of clods, rocks, wood and other obstructions so that the blankets & mattings are in direct contact with soil.

Seeding:

In most cases, it is recommended that seeding be done prior to installation of blankets. For turf reinforcement mat and open weave matting, seeding is often done after matting installation. Best results are achieved when a veneer of soil is raked over the broadcast seeded surface. Straw or hay mulch may be added after seeding. All check slots and other areas disturbed during installation process should be re-seeded

Anchoring:

U-shaped metal staples (11-gauge minimum, 6” to 12” long) or wooden stakes (at least 12” long) can be used to anchor blankets to the ground. Keep a minimum edge distance of 2” from the edge of the blanket to the center of the staples or stakes

Start with the shared site preparation, seeding and anchoring guidance in the Installation Guidelines section, then follow the steps below for this application.

Installation on Slopes

• Grade soil, fertilize and seed using the shared Installation Guidelines.
• Begin at the top of the slope and anchor blankets in a 12” deep and 12” wide initial anchor trench (see Fig.2) and anchor with staples at 18” spacing.
• Unroll blanket down slope in the direction of the water flow (see Fig.1). The blanket should not be stretched but should have full contact with the soil. Anchor blanket using staples or stakes. See “Staple Pattern Guide for Slopes” below.
• Overlap edges of adjacent parallel rolls by approximately 6” and anchor with staples at 24” to 36” spacing depending on the slope.
• When blankets have to be spliced, place upper blanket end over lower blanket end (shingle style) with 12” overlap and anchor with two staggered rows of staples at 12” spacing.
• Anchor, fill and compact ends of blankets in 12” deep and 6” wide terminal anchor trench. Anchor with staples at 18” spacing.

Staple pattern guide for slopes

Start with the shared site preparation, seeding and anchoring guidance in the Installation Guidelines section, then follow the steps below for this application.

Installation in Channels

1. Grade soil, fertilize and seed using the shared Installation Guidelines.
2. Dig a 12” x 12” initial anchor trench at the upstream end (see Fig.4). If there is concentrated flow at channel entrance, it is recommended that the initial anchor trench be made at least 12” upstream from the pipe opening. It is also recommended to adopt measures to reduce the velocity of flow at pipe opening.
3. Dig intermittent check slots (6” deep and 6” wide) across the channel at 25’ to 50’ intervals depending on the slope gradient of the channel (see Fig.5).
4. Dig 6” deep and 6” wide longitudinal trenches at the top of side slopes to anchor the blanket edges (see Fig.6).
5. Dig 12” deep and 12” wide terminal anchor trench at downstream end (see Fig.7).
6. Install the first blanket in the initial anchor trench, upstream, in the center of the channel and anchor with two staggered rows of staples at 6” spacing, backfill and compact.
7. Do not stretch but make sure there is full contact between blanket and soil.
8. In the same manner, position adjacent blankets in the initial anchor trench overlapping the preceding blanket a minimum of 8” and anchor.
9. Unroll center strip downstream.
10. Unroll adjacent mats downstream in a similar fashion, maintaining an 8” wide overlap. Anchor the overlapped area with staples at 16” to 18” spacing depending upon the flow velocity.
11. For anchoring the middle of the blankets see “Staple Pattern Guide for Channels” below.
12. Secure the edges of the blankets along the longitudinal trenches on the top of slopes with staples at 12” centers (see Fig.6).
13. Fold and secure the matting snugly into all transverse check slots. Lay the matting in the bottom of the slot and then fold back against itself. Anchor through both layers of blanket at 6” intervals then backfill and compact soil (see Fig.5).
14. For noncritical installations, place two staggered rows of staples at 6” spacing in lieu of check slots.
15. When blankets need to be spliced, place upstream blanket over the downstream blanket with an overlap of at least 12”. Use two staggered rows of staples at 6” spacing.
16. Anchor, fill and compact downstream end matting in terminal anchor trench (see Fig.7).

Staple pattern guide for channels

Compare blanket construction

This comparison covers all eight models. Use the model-specific PDF links in the product cards above for detailed specifications.