Patent ID: 6854935

Claim:
A method of reducing ground disturbance during freeze-thaw cycles, comprising the steps of: excavating soil from an area affected by ground disturbance due to subsurface flow and subsequent freezing of water; laying a subsurface layer of thermal insulation over the affected area, thereby thermally insulating the affected area from freezing, the subsurface layer of thermal insulation having a top surface and a bottom surface, the subsurface layer of thermal insulation also having downwardly angled wings, thereby preventing frost penetration from peripheral edges of the subsurface layer of thermal insulation; and laying a subsurface layer of wick material capable of drawing water away from the affected area by capillary action, the subsurface layer of wick material being parallel to the subsurface layer of thermal insulation and positioned in a path of the subsurface flow of water.