Landslide Prevention Methods

A landslide can occur when earth, soil or rock can no longer hold itself up and gives way to gravity due to earthquakes, volcano or rainfall. Landslides can move slowly or quickly with disastrous effects. To prevent landslides on your property, there are a few things you can do both temporarily and permanently. Keep in mind that if a landslide threatens your home, you should evacuate immediately.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to prevent a landslide on a slope is to vegetate it. This landslide prevention method works best on slopes that are not too steep or if the movement hasn't already begun. You can do this method yourself by planting a groundcover or hire a landscaper to vegetate the slope.

A solid, well-designed retaining should be made of sturdy materials such as masonry, brick, stone or steel. Drainage materials behind the wall help increase the stability of the wall.

Building pathways to divert debris is another option to prevent landslides on your property. You can create these pathways with the help of retaining walls. However, if you build walls to divert debris flow and then that flow lands on a neighbor's property, you can be liable for damage.

For temporary landslide prevention, sandbags can be used to divert water from uncontrolled spilling just as retaining walls or diverted pathways do. Another method is to protect unstable areas with plastic sheeting, tarps or even burlap, especially in areas without vegetation because of recent fires.