Signs Of Erosion When Buying Property

For Information from the State of Maine, you may visit

https://www.maine.gov/dep/land/erosion/escbmps/index.html

·       Erosion is caused by water, ice, gravity, and wind. Erosion is directly related to the soil’s capacity to hold and transfer water. When raindrops hit and dislodge soil particles from an unprotected surface the rainwater accumulates and flows like a stream. The particles are picked up and transported great distances by the stormwater runoff. This is considered rainwater erosion. Moving water is a main cause of erosion. This moving water is called runoff and can be seen after a storm.

·       Ice erosion is mostly caused by the thawing process or glaciers. The freeze and thaw cycle create fractures and cause further cracking and breaking away of the rock. The fragments are carried away in the process of ice in the cracks melting.

·       Gravity causes chunks of rock to fall from mountains and hills causing erosion and moving sand, gravel and rock from one location to another.

·       Wind moves soil from one location to another. Wind erosion can be either light or heavy winds causing soil particles to blow in the air and create dust storms.

    These are signs of erosion to consider when purchasing a property. You would want to consider what type of work would need to be done if the property is showing signs of erosion to prevent more erosion.

If you have concerns about erosion, reach out to Belanger Engineering for a consultation. There are different ways to prevent erosion.