As COVID-19 and its inherent “social distancing” measures continue to sweep the nation, some businesses have largely been deemed “essential” at the outset. By and large, business that maintain a safe distance for employees and customers have been “safe” and in the clear; this includes outdoor works such as those employed by and operating landscaping companies. And, at this time of year, landscaping and outdoor terrain/property improvement are at the forefront of many peoples’ minds.

We thought, as an escape, we’d present four quick ways properties can be improved upon, and how DirtGlue® products help shape each one of them. Any landscape company worth their salt knows the ins, outs, and advantages of doing things right, and doing them right the first time. That recipe ought to include DirtGlue®. Right? Right.

1. Landscaping – Landscaping can take on many different meanings, but for the purpose of this post, we’ll discuss the actual development of a lush lawn, and the healthy vegetation required to achieve a desirable landscaped space that is free of environmental issues such as erosion, improper drainage, and the like. So, we’ll begin with hydroseeding… Hydromulching, at its core, is an essential element to many processes involving the healthy and vast cultivation of expansive vegetation – primarily that of grasses.

   Sometimes referred to as hydroseeding, the hydromulch process is a faster, more economical way to bring get vegetative coverage over large areas quickly and economically and to increase the likelihood of seed germination. This is to the benefit of contractors worldwide, laying down and planting seed from applications from residential lawns to commercial and government projects such as seeding roadsides as a means to help protect against dust, erosion and elemental runoff.

   Benefits of using DirtGlue® polymer as a tackifying solution –

   • Reduces water usage and helps retain available moisture
   • Reduces erosion and the effects of erosion
   • Improved plant growth
   • Binds soil, seed and mulch mediums
   • Prevents washouts even in the severest weather
2. Patio – If you’re considering hardscape, let’s talk about what you’re doing (and using) for infill materials when you’re installing pavers or repairing an existing the patio.

   Consider our DirtGlueDry® powdered polymer solution if you appreciate the notion of “working smarter, not harder” when it comes to this application. When mixed with appropriate sand or a sand / stone dust blend and then wetted, DirtGlueDry® powdered polymer cures to form a hardened infill material that is resistant to insect and weed infestation. The product is also proven to tolerate pressure washers and leaf blowers allowing periodic cleaning of the patio without necessitating new infill be put back in after cleaning. Its strength is unrivaled by other solution sets on the market. This option is much lower in cost than purchasing polymerized sand. It also allows you or your installer to customize the strength by adding more or less DirtGlueDry® powdered polymer to the infill material of choice (sand or stone dust sourced locally to reduce cost significantly).

   Once you’ve got the infill set, it’s time to focus on the piece of the patio that you actually see, which of course, is the surface…

   Engineers, construction contractors, builders, and you, the common DIY homeowner deal with the destructive chemical reactions cement-based building materials suffer due mainly to the exposure to water, which acts as a reaction medium or solvent in this destruction. You work tirelessly to make repairs, and patch compromised spots within the infrastructure of your patio. Why not consider a solution that, quite simply, lasts?

   Film formers/barrier type technologies (coatings) have been widely used, but due to weathering and ultraviolet exposure these coatings have limited lifespan and thus periodic reparative applications are required. This issue has been revolutionarily remediated with the all-inclusive protective properties of MasonProof™, which is a permanent waterproofing product that does not change the color or texture of the treated surface.

3. Drainage / Erosion – Soil erosion and embankment control is a problem that many contractors face when trying to shore a landscape that is subject to runoff from a storm, general rain, or seasonal change. It’s a natural process, which occurs due to detachment and movement of topsoil by the action of wind and flowing water. In many cases, the lack of vegetation cover on existing slopes is often responsible for the formation of rills and rain cuts eventually leading to sliding of slopes.

   These soil and embankment erosion control challenges are either met at the outset / design phase of a new construction project, or they’re tackled as the issue pops up organically whether at a property, or on the side of the road where embankments are in no short supply.

   Products such as our tried and true DirtGlue® polymer will penetrate the surface by binding with the soil to form a tough, durable, three-dimensional matrix layer of protection. Combining superior film strength and adhesive properties, DirtGlue® polymer is the ideal solution for dust control in non-traffic areas, stockpile capping and stabilizing slopes and embankments. When hydroseeding, substituting DirtGlue® polymer in place of a traditional, old style tackifier increases germination rate, decreases germination time, and eliminates washouts, rilling and, erosion. Using DirtGlue® polymer as the tackifier, it will hold even in the toughest conditions, protecting against heavy rain and wind.

4. Pathways and Pavement – There’s two distinct modes of thinking/delivery here. Pathways, as they are, can mean myriad things. They can be straight native terrain that you’re looking to augment for safer, easier travel. They can be built with some sort of prick, or paver, in which case, we invite you to reference the “patio” portion of this post as it falls pretty directly in line with a pathway built of similar material. And finally, we arrive at pavement, which can be laid for a pathway, or as a larger scale project, be it the drive, parking area, and all of the above.

   In order to provide a pavement having good functionality and good lifespan we need first to ensure good base and good drainage, thus we do NOT rely on the pavement for strength but rather for “consolidation of the surface aggregate” such that there is no mud in the wet season and no dust in the dry season.

   Things to consider prior to a pavement dump include what it is your pouring the pavement on. Seriously, what’s in the terrain? Where is the terrain? What are the challenges associated with the surrounding ecosystem? What’s the drainage situation in the event of any environmental runoff? What’s under the terrain you’re pouring on?

   At Global Environmental Solutions, we take to the art of road building seriously. And, we’re serious when we use the word “art.” Because it is. It’s not as easy as what we’ve already mentioned above. You can’t just dump a load of pavement and flatten it out with a roller. There’s a science and craft element to the entire initiation. And, there exists another important question… What’s in the aggregate that makes up your pavement? Do you even know?

   Appropriate steps for DGE Polymer Pavement System are as follows:

• Ensure good drainage.
• Ensure a well stabilized base.
• Ensure proper aggregate with correct particle size distribution including 20% – 25% fines (material passing #150 sieve).
• Loosen the aggregate in the area to be treated.
• DirtGlue® polymer will be applied at a rate of not less than 0.03 gallons per sq. ft. per inch of pavement thickness as calculated before diluting with water. After making calculations dilute the DirtGlue® polymer with approximately one part water (a slight amount more water may be added later if you determine that the aggregate is too dry).
• Add the appropriate amount of TerraDry® (if required because of soil/ aggregate type).
• Apply the blended liquid (polymer and water) to the aggregate and mechanically mix in thoroughly and evenly. Depending upon type of equipment used this could take two or possibly three applications to get all of the liquid into the soil/aggregate. Keep mixing thoroughly and evenly 2 – 3 inches deep!
• Once the aggregate is treated with full amount of the product(s) specified and the product(s) are mixed in completely then level and compact.
• Proper curing requires warm temperatures. Do not apply when temps are below 55 or when rain is imminent. Typically, the warmer the better to ensure fast curing.

Searching for proven environmental solutions? See how GES tackles dust, erosion, and soil stabilization challenges with innovative, eco-friendly products used worldwide.