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<TITLE>Anyone have experience with various weed barrier fabrics?</TITLE>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Some Background: </FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">A contractor installed 3 oz woven polypropylene landscape fabric in a large, irrigated, raised median, whereas the contract specs called for 3 oz spunbonded polypropylene. Spunbonded was specified due to its better air and water permeability (min. 100 gal/min/sf) whereas the woven material has less than 15 gal/min/sf. The planter has a drip irrigation system, and to aggravate the matter, the irrigation lines were laid on top of the woven material. Water is pooling on the tarp-like woven material. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">The contractor refuses to replace the non-approved material with the spec'd material, claiming it "exceeds" the specifications. It may exceed the spec in terms of strength, but the critical characteristic of permeability has been compromised. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">The questions are: </FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">1) Will the woven, less permeable material cause problems with plant growth and survival (trees and perennials), or can we live with it - with the drip lines on top if it? </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">2) What are your experiences with spunbonded (or non-woven) weed barriers vs woven? </FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Thanks</FONT></SPAN>
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<P><B><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial">C. Cat Cybulski, R.P.F.</FONT></SPAN></B>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Area Forester</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Natural Heritage and Forestry Services Section</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Transportation and Works</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Regional Municipality of York</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">(905) 895-1200 ext. 5275</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Toll Free: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 5275</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-ca"></SPAN><A HREF="file://www.york.ca"><SPAN LANG="en-ca"><U></U><U><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">www.york.ca</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-ca"></SPAN>
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