Root and Mole Barrier Systems
We supply root- and mole-barrier products for the landscape protection duties supported by the selected material. Our team helps identify the required barrier construction and installs it with the appropriate depth, joints and edge details.
WHAT IS THE RB340 ROOT & MOLE BARRIER?
RB340 is a heavy-duty root barrier geotextile installed vertically in the ground to create a physical barrier between vegetation and infrastructure.
The barrier:
• Prevents lateral tree root penetration
• Redirects roots downward
• Prevents underground animal burrowing
• Protects infrastructure from biological damage
RB340 acts as both a root control barrier and burrowing animal barrier, protecting underground structures and services.
Manufactured from high-strength virgin polypropylene fibres with protective coating, RB340 provides exceptional puncture resistance, tensile strength and long-term durability in soil environments.
The barrier works by redirecting root growth downward while preventing lateral root intrusion and underground burrowing activity.
RB340 barriers are widely used across South Africa and Africa in infrastructure, landscaping, mining and agricultural projects.
Underground Utilities
Used for protection of:
sewer pipelines
stormwater drainage
electrical cables
fibre optic infrastructure
HOW RB340 ROOT BARRIERS WORK
The RB340 barrier works through mechanical root deflection.
When roots encounter the barrier:
They cannot penetrate the dense geotextile.
Growth is redirected downward.
Root expansion continues deeper rather than horizontally.
The material’s high puncture resistance also prevents burrowing animals such as moles from tunnelling through the barrier.
ROOT & MOLE BARRIER SUPPLIER IN SOUTH AFRICA & AFRICA
Geosynthetics South Africa supplies RB340 Root & Mole Barrier systems across Africa for infrastructure, landscaping and environmental projects.
For technical specifications, pricing or project support contact our team.
Geosynthetics South Africa
sales@geosynthetics.co.za
www.geosynthetics.co.za
PRODUCT FEATURES
RB340 Root & Mole Barrier offers:
• High resistance to root penetration
• High puncture resistance to burrowing animals
• UV stabilised polypropylene construction
• Resistance to soil chemicals, mildew and insects
• Long-term underground durability
• Easy installation and handling
RB340 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Property | Test Method | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Polymer | - | Virgin Polypropylene |
| Construction | - | Needle-punched nonwoven |
| Coating | - | Double PP coating |
| Mass per Unit Area | EN ISO 9864 | 340 g/m² |
| Thickness | EN ISO 9863-1 | 1.6 mm |
| Tensile Strength MD/CD | EN ISO 10319 | 18 / 18 kN/m |
| Elongation MD/CD | EN ISO 10319 | 36 / 45 % |
| Static Puncture | EN ISO 12236 | 3250 N |
| Dynamic Perforation | EN ISO 13433 | 18 mm |
| Grab Tensile MD/CD | ASTM D4632 | 1400 / 1300 N |
| Pin Puncture | ASTM D4833 | 590 N |
| Weathering Resistance | EN 12224 | 90% retained |
| Chemical Resistance | EN 14030 | 90% retained |
| Oxidation Resistance | EN ISO 13438 | 90% retained |
AVAILABLE ROLL SIZES
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Roll Width | 1 - 2 m |
| Roll Length | 25 m or 50 m |
Custom roll sizes may be supplied depending on project requirements.
Applications and uses
We supply and install this product for:
- Landscaping separation and protection details where the supplied barrier is specified.
Civil Infrastructure
RB340 barriers are used to protect:
sidewalks and pavements
building foundations
retaining walls
roads and highways
Landscaping & Urban Forestry
RB340 is widely used in:
tree planting control systems
urban landscaping projects
parks and gardens
commercial developments
Mining & Industrial Infrastructure
RB340 is suitable for:
tailings facilities
mine site landscaping
access roads
drainage infrastructure
Why choose Root and Mole Barrier Systems?
- Products for defined landscape barrier duties
- Material and detail selection
- Supply and installation
Installation and technical guidance
Design and procurement inputs
Confirm the product’s declared root- or animal-barrier function, embedment, joints and limits of use. Ordinary geotextile does not automatically provide a root-proof or mole-proof system.
Provide the product grade or performance specification, drawings or BOQ, quantities, site location and required date. We will define supply, delivery and any agreed installation and QA/QC responsibilities in the quotation.
Request a product-specific quotation →INSTALLATION METHOD
RB340 barriers are installed vertically in a trench between the tree and the infrastructure.
Typical Installation
Excavate trench along protection line
Place RB340 barrier vertically
Overlap adjacent sections by minimum 200 mm
Backfill and compact soil
Leave barrier slightly above ground level
Typical installation depth:
600 mm - 1000 mm depending on tree species and soil conditions.
SELECTION · SPECIFICATION · PROJECT SUPPLY
Choose the right specification
Select root-management material and details for the specific planting and protected infrastructure.
- Define root-control duty, installation depth, geometry and adjacent services.
- Confirm the exact barrier construction, joints and termination requirements.
- Coordinate drainage and plant requirements with the landscape and civil design.
Define the quality records
Inspect barrier identity, continuity, joints, depth and interfaces before backfill.
For a useful quotation: send the grade or performance specification, quantity, location, required date and scope. Availability, delivery and installation responsibilities are confirmed in the quotation.
Why Geosynthetics South Africa
One enquiry coordinates the specified product, technical submission, delivery and any agreed installation and QA/QC scope. We define quantities, programme, responsibilities and handover requirements against your project.
Associated catalogue products
Installation & quality
Industries
Product documents and additional links
Root and mole barrier
Protect landscaping and underground services
Geosynthetics South Africa supplies high-performance RB340 Root & Mole Barrier geotextile systems designed to prevent tree root intrusion and underground burrowing animal damage to foundations, pipelines, pavements, drainage systems and civil infrastructure.
Manufactured from high-strength virgin polypropylene geotextile, RB340 barriers deliver exceptional puncture resistance, durability and long-term underground performance in African soil conditions, aggressive root environments and infrastructure protection applications.
Global brands
GSE geomembranes, MIRAFI geotextiles, Tensar geogrids and Eurobent GCLs, supported by grade-specific technical documentation.
Supply & installation
Product supply, site delivery, fabrication and specialist installation coordinated to the project specification and programme.
Documented QA/QC
Material traceability, installation inspections, applicable testing and handover records defined for the agreed scope.