While landslides vary in size and severity, avoiding them is an important part of protecting your property. Even if you don't live in a landslide-prone area, there are steps you can take to prevent one from happening in your own backyard. Here are three main ways to prevent landslides:
The primary cause of landslides is soil erosion. Luckily, you can prevent erosion and beautify your property at the same time by planting trees and shrubs on any slopes. While it won't work overnight, gradually the roots from trees and shrubs will expand to secure the ground underneath. Try planting small trees, ground cover plants and tall grasses to maintain the integrity of the slope.
Water flow is another major cause of landslides. When combined with soil erosion, an excess of water can make any slope unstable. To avoid this, keep any irrigation system and sprinklers a safe distance from the slope. Excess water should drain at the very bottom of the incline to prevent erosion. If you need help, a landscaping professional can advise you of the safest places to install irrigation and drainage to avoid landslides.
If your property is on the edge of a hill, avoid letting debris accumulate at the top. This could include natural debris like rocks, dead or fallen trees and rocks. It also includes any junk or scrap items you might be tempted to store on the hill out of the way. Any of this loose material can be a potential hazard to your property and increase your risk of a landslide. You may need heavy equipment to remove material like large rocks and fallen trees, so it's a good idea to consult a contractor if you need help clearing the property.
Keep these tips in mind to help protect your property against landslide damage. The more familiar you are with the details of the land, the better prepared you'll be to address any issues that arise.
I'm John Mahan, Sales Associate with William Raveis Real Estate, Harwich Port Office.
Throughout his childhood, John Mahan spent summers on Cape Cod at his parents’ home in Dennis Port. His intro to the Cape was, as he puts it, when his parents “carried me down the stairs at Sea Street Beach when I was a week old.” With a lifelong connection to Cape Cod, it seemed only natural for John and his wife, Mary, to move to Harwich – where they still reside – with their two young children in 1996.
Prior to moving to Cape Cod, John lived in the Worcester-Auburn area where he worked for Mass Electric for 10 years and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Utility Workers. When John and his family moved to the Cape, he worked at NSTAR for six years.
John began his career in real estate in 2002 when he joined Team Waystack Realty in Harwich Port. He has been a consistent top producing realtor in the Harwich area for the past 20 years. John’s approachable demeanor, combined with an integral understanding of the Cape Cod residential real estate market, have allowed him to build trusting, long-term relationships with his clients – both sellers and buyers.
