"My Family In Townsend Needed Their Fountain Cleaned & Running Like New & First State Pond & Fountains Came Through ! Highly Recommend & Have Earned A Constant Customer !!"
"He is very creative and he works with the client to try and make sure they get what they want. If you have a budget, he will work within your budget. If something is wrong, he will come back and take care of it. He is a good guy, good company, he is a local business man and his customer service is very important."
"Backyard Ponds is magic. I have a small backyard pond,stream and waterfall that have been leaking for years. Various workmen had poured concrete into it, slathered mortar between stones and sprayed special waterfall foam all over the sides of it. My pond, stream and waterfall continued to leak. Hilary of Backyard Ponds looked at it for a while, moved one stone and fixed the leak. How did you do that! I yelled. Well after you work on enough of these things you get an eye for what the problem could be. Then she vacuumed all the mud that had been clogging the pum , reattached the waterline and pump that I could never get to stay together, restacked the rocks along the edge of the stream so they actually sat on top of each other instead of sliding down at all angles, and added a few strategically placed rocks to hide the pump and waterline and cover the rubber sides of the stream. She added a regulator to the water line so I could make the water run fast and slow. And more. I have had a pond and stream for fifteen years, and many people have worked on it, from expensive professioanl landscapers to guys I would swear the contractor picked up off the street corner. The difference in using someone who specializes in ponds is stunning. Backyard ponds is magic. "
"Their job exceeded my expectations! They were thorough and very professional. Did a great job cleaning up and returning the area to a better condition than it was in when they started. I felt the price was very reasonable!!!"
"Brian and Cindy are a 1-2 punch that literally had me jumping for joy. I was incredibly nervous about re-doing our entire front yard in one large project with a company I had never hired before. They were recommended by a neighbor who has used them over the last five years on two separate houses, so I had some knowledge of their final product, but I was absolutely thrilled with the results and surprised by how easy they made the whole process from beginning to end. I'm a project manager for a living, so I have a tendency to be a "tough customer." Beyond the impeccable customer service: multiple site visits, phone calls, texts, drawings, and both being on-site and hands-on during the actual installation, their prices beat out 4 (highly reputable) local competitors. I never felt nickle-and-dimed. In fact, quite the opposite. They made last-minute adjustments when I made special requests at no additional charge. He even treated my lawn and cut my grass when our normal maintenance folks didn't show up (needless to say, I'm now exploring a maintenance contract with Salt Creek Gardens). In less than a week, several neighbors have stopped by to ask who did the work, and despite torrential downpours, the french drain is keeping the lawn from having its usual pools of standing water. Brian was able to work with a long-time associate to negotiate a better deal for me on some large tree removal. Between the tree removal, solving my water problem, designing and installing 3 new beds, and re-gravling my front, Salt Creek Gardens ended up being the perfect one-stop-shop for all my landscaping needs. I definitely will use them again when it comes time to re-pave my front walk and re-do the back yard. "
"Technicians (Handy man) was on time & completed work in a reasonable fair & reasonable cost; very professional. Very experienced, neat (clean-up), etc. * Daniel, lead technician."
"Miguel provided excellent and very prompt customer service. He took the time to discuss an unusual situation for my masonry project and provided me very valuable feedback before the project."
To prevent septic tank problems, save on repair costs, and keep your home running smoothly, it's essential to perform regular maintenance. Have your septic system inspected by a professional every one to three years, or annually if possible, to spot potential issues before they develop. You should also have your tank pumped every three to five years, or more frequently if recommended by a professional based on your household's usage. Additionally, be mindful of what goes into your system. Avoid flushing items like paper towels, wet wipes, and feminine hygiene products. Do not dispose of other inappropriate substances, and try to avoid excessive water usage at a single time.
A septic system's lifespan typically ranges from 15 to 40 years, with a common average of 20 to 30 years. The longevity heavily depends on the tank's material, maintenance diligence, and usage habits. With proper care, lifespans can reach the upper end of this range.
Lifespan by Tank Material:
Concrete: 20 to 40 years
Plastic or Fiberglass: 30 to 40 years
Steel: 15 to 20 years
To maximize your system's lifespan, follow these maintenance best practices:
Regular Pumping and Inspections: Have the tank pumped every three to five years and schedule professional inspections regularly.
Mindful Usage: Only flush human waste and toilet paper. Avoid putting items like cat litter, paper towels, cigarette butts, fats, grease, oils, or coffee grounds down your drains.
Avoid Chemicals: Do not pour harsh chemicals into the system.
Water Conservation: Reduce the amount of wastewater your system has to process.
Protect the Drain Field: Avoid driving or building heavy structures over the drain field area.
Some of the biggest symptoms of a drain field failure include a foul stench, backed-up toilets and drains, and mushy grass or standing water on top of the drain field. Also, if the grass above your leach field starts suddenly growing faster and looks thicker or healthier than the rest of your lawn, it could be a sign that it isn’t getting rid of waste properly.
To prevent drain clogs, perform regular maintenance and cleaning. Avoid disposing of substances like grease or coffee grounds down the sink. Additionally, installing and routinely using drain strainers can help catch debris and prevent blockages from forming.
Your septic tank naturally contains the good bacteria it needs, so you typically don't have to add more as the system produces them on its own. However, if you wish to replenish the bacteria, you can use natural methods. For example, you can add three rotten tomatoes to your garbage disposal or flush 1/4 ounce of active yeast down the toilet every three months. While store-bought septic enzymes and chemicals are available, many additives are unnecessary and may even harm your system. The most effective way to maintain a healthy bacterial balance is to avoid using chemical drain cleaners, which can kill the beneficial bacteria in your tank.
The Colesville, MD homeowners’ guide to aquarium services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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