A silt sock is one of the simplest and most effective tools for sediment control on construction and landscaping sites.
It is a tubular mesh sleeve filled with compost, mulch, or gravel that catches sediment in stormwater runoff before it leaves the site. No trenching, no fixings, just lay it down and stake it.
This article explains how silt socks work, where they outperform silt fences, how to install them properly, and which sizes suit different jobs.
Need silt socks fast? View the full erosion control products range or get in touch for bulk pricing.
A silt sock is a flexible tube of woven mesh fabric filled with a porous medium, typically aged hardwood mulch or compost. Stormwater passes through the sock while sediment, fine soils, and debris are trapped inside the fill material.
Unlike silt fences, silt socks sit on the ground without trenching. This makes them much faster to install on hard or rocky surfaces, and easier to reposition as a job progresses.
All Stake Supply stocks a wide range of erosion control gear in the erosion control products category, alongside related products like weed mat for revegetation work.
Silt fences have been the default sediment control device on Australian construction sites for years, and they still have their place. Silt socks address several limitations of fences and have become the preferred option on many job types.
| Feature | Silt Sock | Silt Fence |
|---|---|---|
| Installation time | Minutes per metre | Trenching required |
| Hard surface use | Works on concrete, asphalt | Not possible without anchoring |
| Reusability | Often reusable | Single use typically |
| Maintenance | Easier to clean and replace | Harder to access trapped sediment |
| Curved layouts | Flexible, conforms to terrain | Limited to straight runs |
| Removal | Pick up and dispose or compost | Pull stakes, dig out, dispose |
On most urban infill sites, around inlets, and on hard surfaces, the silt sock is the better tool. On large open earthworks with long straight perimeters, a silt fence may still be cost-effective.
Silt socks are versatile and work in places where a silt fence is impractical or impossible. The most common applications include perimeter control, inlet protection, slope interruption, and temporary diversion.
For inlet protection, the sock is laid in a continuous loop around the grate. For perimeter control, end-to-end placement with overlapped joins works best. Always orient the sock perpendicular to the flow direction.
Installation is fast but a few basic principles separate a sock that works from one that gets washed out the first heavy rain. Take the time to do it right the first time and you save on rework and council penalties.
Hardwood timber stakes work well for anchoring silt socks and All Stake Supply stocks a complete range alongside other site protection gear. Browse the full product range for related items.
A silt sock that is not in full contact with the ground will let sediment escape underneath. Spend the extra minute pressing it down and staking properly.
Silt socks come in several diameters, each suited to different flow volumes and site types. The standard sizes used in Australia range from 200mm to 450mm in diameter.
Smaller diameters (200-300mm) suit residential and light commercial sites, perimeter control on small jobs, and inlet protection. Larger diameters (375-450mm) handle higher flow volumes on larger commercial earthworks and steeper slopes.
| Size | Best Use |
|---|---|
| 200mm | Residential builds, light landscaping, inlet protection |
| 300mm | Most general construction perimeter control |
| 375mm | Larger sites, steeper slopes, higher flow areas |
| 450mm | Major earthworks, concentrated flow paths |
Fill choice matters too. Composted hardwood mulch is the most common and works well in most situations. Gravel fill is used where the sock needs to stay in place under heavier flow or where the contents will be left on site as a permanent feature.
A silt sock is not install-and-forget. Inspect after every significant rain event and every two weeks during the dry, and replace or clean the sock when sediment has built up to about half its diameter.
Once the sock is full, sediment starts bypassing it instead of being trapped, which defeats the purpose. Most quality socks last six to twelve months on site depending on conditions.
All Stake Supply stocks silt socks in multiple sizes for delivery across Australia. The team handles bulk orders for civil contractors and small one-off purchases for landscapers and home builders. Browse the erosion control range or contact the team for site-specific advice.
Pair silt socks with tree guards and weed mat for full revegetation and erosion control on landscaping projects.
