Will weedmat cause soil erosion?

nishtha

This is probably a dumb question but I am still learning. 

We are on a sloping block, after months of mowing on steep slope, we decided to put weedmat on a section of it.

Our backyard is uneven, it's flat in some sections and steep slope on other. Where we have put weedmat is slope. There is currently some grass and weeds growing.

Is there a risk of soil erosion happening from under the weedmat?

We have plans to put some plants and rocks in the future to help hold the mulch. 

But that's not going to happen for a few months. 

So while the weedmat is there obviously the grass is going to die under it, once the grass is gone am I running a risk of soil erosion and damaging the fence? 

I don't know if I have phrased it right

Basically what I wanna know if I have done something incorrect by putting in the weedmat?

  

MitchellMc

Hi @nishtha,

You're definitely not alone in having questions about using weedmat on a slope, and it's great that you're thinking ahead about potential risks.

To address your concern, yes, there is a risk of soil erosion under the weedmat, especially on a slope. Weedmat can prevent weeds from growing, but it also blocks water from being absorbed by the soil, which can lead to the soil becoming loose or dry. If the soil is not anchored by plants or other stabilising materials, rain or heavy watering can wash the soil away, especially on a slope. However, since your slope isn't too steep, your risk of significant erosion is lower, but localised erosion could still happen, particularly if a lot of water runs down the slope under the weedmat.

Since you plan to add plants and rocks in the future, these will help stabilise the soil and prevent erosion. In the meantime, you could consider adding a layer of mulch over the weedmat, which will help hold the soil in place and prevent erosion while the grass and plants are establishing. 

So, while weedmat isn’t inherently "incorrect" for the purpose you have in mind, it’s important to consider additional ways to protect the soil from erosion until your future landscaping plans are put into place. If water does collect under the weedmat, it might cause some localised erosion, but with mulch or additional pins in the mid-section, you should be able to manage the situation until your plants and rocks are in place. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell