"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. "
"We have used Sam and Sons Services several times and every time it has been great. They did kitchen electrical work including running a new line for our microwave. The moved and replaced 3 pot lights and patched some drywall. Sam also had to add now breakers and run new electrical lines. We are very pleased with the service."
Depending on the home, wastewater either goes into a septic tank and seeps back into the backyard or is sent via sewer system to a local sewage-treatment plant. Septic systems naturally separate different components of the waste so that it can naturally and safely disperse it. They are usually reserved for homes not served by a municipal sewage department (like rural homes). A treatment plant, on the other hand, speeds up that process through screening and purification.
The best times of year to empty or pump a septic tank are spring and fall. Many professionals recommend spring because the ground has thawed, making the tank easier to access and the waste less likely to be frozen. Pumping before summer also helps avoid conflicts with vacations or outdoor gatherings. Fall is another great option, as contractors may be less busy, and servicing the tank can reduce the risk of overflow from winter and spring precipitation. While summer is also a suitable time, winter is generally not recommended due to frozen ground.
To keep your septic tank healthy, be careful of what you flush and be conservative with water usage, as even flushing too much water down the drain can throw off the septic system’s delicate balance. Never flush anything but human waste and toilet paper down your toilet, and be sure to have the tank inspected and pumped every two to five years, depending on the size of your household and your water usage.
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.
There are a few signs that you might notice if your drain field is bad. For starters, if you see standing water or soggy grass above your drain field, it could mean that it isn’t working correctly. Or, if your yard smells like sewage, it could also indicate that there’s a problem with your drain field. Repairing a drain field costs an average of $2,000 to $15,000.
The Wheaton, MD homeowners’ guide to aquarium services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Expect your weed removal service cost in Washington, D.C. to depend on the size of your yard, the type of treatment, and the severity of the infestation.
The most significant factor in tree removal costs is the amount of debris. Read on to learn more about the average tree debris removal costs in Washington, D.C.
Learn about home items that are nearly impossible to move without movers, either because they are awkwardly shaped, too heavy, or require special equipment.
If you live in an area without very cold winters but tempted to close your pool during the cooler months, read on. We dive into the many benefits of winter service.
Goldfish, koi, and minnows are popular fish for ponds. Learn how to keep the fish in your backyard pond alive and help them survive heat waves and icy winters.