If you would like to have no septic tank problems, you should learn about how you can properly maintain your system and keep all of your equipment working properly. Many septic tank owners ignore their systems until it is too late and then take steps that can significantly damage their equipment.
In order to avoid significantly damaging your equipment, you will need to do your best to vigilantly manage your equipment. Homeowners who try to maintain their equipment after problems have developed often find themselves needing to use powerful chemicals that can actually damage their equipment.
By simply maintaining the equipment you are currently using, you can keep it in perfect condition for many more years of use. If you were to take the alternate route though, you would likely run into a variety of issues, including serious clogs. If this were to happen, you would have to use powerful toxic chemicals that can easily weaken the shell of your tank and cause serious and very expensive problems to arise over time.
There are a variety of techniques you can use to properly maintain your tank without ever resorting to the use of dangerous toxic chemicals. Before you use any products though, it is important that you check with local authorities to make sure the products you are using are safe for the environment around your home.
Many people around the world use beneficial bacteria, enzymes, and consistent pumping procedures to keep their tanks clean. Bacteria can eat away debris that happens to enter your system and it can keep all of the parts within your system operating properly. Enzymes perform a very similar function, because they too break down debris and clear septic tanks of clogs.
Bacteria and enzymes, combined with consistent pumping, can keep your system completely clear of clogs. By taking these simple steps, you can avoid a wide variety of serious problems, including overflows. These simple solutions are also generally non-toxic and they do not cause any harm to the environment.
Unlike powerful toxic chemicals, these products do cannot harm the equipment you are using as well. As you can see, there are truly many benefits to using beneficial bacteria and enzymes. Once you start using these products to manage your system, you will likely face no septic tank problems in the near future and your equipment will last for a very long time. Basic maintenance procedures can save you thousands of dollars through the years and they can also make your life much more enjoyable, because they can stop irritating overflows and many other problems from occurring.
A Septic Tank is a small-scale water treatment system for domestic sewage in which the flow is slowed to allow sedimentation and sludge bacteria take place.
Article Source
Thursday 31 March 2011
Sunday 20 March 2011
Springtime Tips - Moving a Shrub in Your Garden
Ideally, shrubs should be placed in a position where they can stay for years to come as they grow into their full size. However, this may not always be possible. You may have inherited a badly positioned shrub when you bought your property or the colour of the flowering shrub might clash with the colour you have chosen for your fencing or, if your garden's borders are outlined by black aluminum fencing, a shrub with rather dark foliage and stems might be too sombre a spectre.
Moving a well-established Shrub into a new Position
If moving the shrub is part of a long-term strategy, there may be time to prune the roots a few months prior to the actual move. This requires a trench to be dug or slicing with a sharp spade into the soil surrounding the shrub to sever the roots. Far from seeing this as a sign its time to die, the shrub will be encouraged to grow new fibrous feeding roots on the remaining root system, making it far easier for the shrub to become re-established, once it is moved.
The actual move, depending on the size of the shrub in question, requires at least two people. Dig a trench around the shrub and sever any roots to release the root ball of your shrub. Dig under the shrub to cut through any tap roots still holding firm. Rocking the plant from side to side will loosen it, then rock it to one side and place a piece of hessian sacking or strong plastic sheeting underneath as far as it will go. Push several folds of the fabric under the root ball. Rock the plant back into position and pull the hessian or plastic sheeting through, so that all of it is now under the shrub.
Pull the hessian or sheeting around the root ball, covering all the soil, and secure this bundle firmly at the neck with string. Now the plant is ready to be moved to its new position, where it can show off its bright flowers against your black aluminum fencing or against the red of a brick wall.
Preparing the New Home
If your plant is rather heavy or large, two people will be needed to carry it to its new home in front of your black aluminum fencing, and this task is best performed by tying a bar of wood or metal horizontally to the trunk of the shrub or to the sacking. The bar will become a carrying post and the shrub will be much easier moved.
The ground and the hole for the shrub should be prepared as for any new plant, adding compost or bonemeal or slow-release fertiliser to poor soil and ensuring any drainage issues are dealt with prior to re-homing the shrub. Now the reverse procedure needs to be followed to remove the hessian sacking or plastic sheeting. Untie the bar, unwrap the shrub and rock the plant into position, until the sheeting can be safely removed and pulled from under the root ball.
Once the shrub is in its correct position, refill the hole with soil, firm the plant in and water well. It is best to mulch the soil around the shrub.
For more exposed positions it is good to place netting around the plant to prevent the shrub from drying out in windy conditions or from fierce sunlight in summer, as the plant will get scorched.
Moving a shrub in either autumn or winter will allow the plant to become established, ready for a new growing season.
Remember, getting a highly quality fence for your property will improve its aesthetic appeal, add an extra layer of security, and even raise your property values. I highly recommend Aluminum Fence Depot for any of your fencing needs.
Article Source
Moving a well-established Shrub into a new Position
If moving the shrub is part of a long-term strategy, there may be time to prune the roots a few months prior to the actual move. This requires a trench to be dug or slicing with a sharp spade into the soil surrounding the shrub to sever the roots. Far from seeing this as a sign its time to die, the shrub will be encouraged to grow new fibrous feeding roots on the remaining root system, making it far easier for the shrub to become re-established, once it is moved.
The actual move, depending on the size of the shrub in question, requires at least two people. Dig a trench around the shrub and sever any roots to release the root ball of your shrub. Dig under the shrub to cut through any tap roots still holding firm. Rocking the plant from side to side will loosen it, then rock it to one side and place a piece of hessian sacking or strong plastic sheeting underneath as far as it will go. Push several folds of the fabric under the root ball. Rock the plant back into position and pull the hessian or plastic sheeting through, so that all of it is now under the shrub.
Pull the hessian or sheeting around the root ball, covering all the soil, and secure this bundle firmly at the neck with string. Now the plant is ready to be moved to its new position, where it can show off its bright flowers against your black aluminum fencing or against the red of a brick wall.
Preparing the New Home
If your plant is rather heavy or large, two people will be needed to carry it to its new home in front of your black aluminum fencing, and this task is best performed by tying a bar of wood or metal horizontally to the trunk of the shrub or to the sacking. The bar will become a carrying post and the shrub will be much easier moved.
The ground and the hole for the shrub should be prepared as for any new plant, adding compost or bonemeal or slow-release fertiliser to poor soil and ensuring any drainage issues are dealt with prior to re-homing the shrub. Now the reverse procedure needs to be followed to remove the hessian sacking or plastic sheeting. Untie the bar, unwrap the shrub and rock the plant into position, until the sheeting can be safely removed and pulled from under the root ball.
Once the shrub is in its correct position, refill the hole with soil, firm the plant in and water well. It is best to mulch the soil around the shrub.
For more exposed positions it is good to place netting around the plant to prevent the shrub from drying out in windy conditions or from fierce sunlight in summer, as the plant will get scorched.
Moving a shrub in either autumn or winter will allow the plant to become established, ready for a new growing season.
Remember, getting a highly quality fence for your property will improve its aesthetic appeal, add an extra layer of security, and even raise your property values. I highly recommend Aluminum Fence Depot for any of your fencing needs.
Article Source
Wednesday 2 March 2011
Backyard Landscaping - Tips For Getting Started
Backyard landscaping can seem like an overwhelming task, especially when you attempt to do it on your own. To take control of this task, simply take your time and plan each step in advance. You should also consider how easy your new backyard landscaping is going to be to maintain. You do not necessarily want to spend all your free time tending to your yard in order to have it look nice. That is the whole point of carefully considering how to landscape your back yard.
Evaluating Your Yard
" Look at how the sun hits the yard. Is the area that you want to design in the shade for a portion of the day, or direct sun?
" Does the yard drain properly after a storm?
" Look at the soil in the yard. Is it rich and soft, sandy, full of clay?
" Are there surface roots from trees or many rocks that will need to be removed?
" Is the yard level
" Is there an eye-sore that should be covered up?
" Is there an area that would do well for a container garden?
Now that you have taken a serious look at the property, it is time to sketch a rough design of how you want it to look. Be sure to include any existing flowers, trees or shrubs. Decide what the roll of each will be in the new design and if any of them will need to be removed.
Are there any problem areas that need to be addressed?
Adding soil to an area with poor drainage will help level out the area and improve the drainage. Surface roots can be ground down, but what if you would like to keep the tree? A raised garden is an excellent idea for either of these issues.
Top soil or mushroom soil tilled into an area will help improve the quality of dirt that you have to work with. This will do wonders for any plants that are introduced into this soil.
An eyesore, such as a shed or garbage can storage area can be "hidden" nicely with a variety of plants. Look at Pampas grass, some varieties grow over 6 feet tall and spread a little each year. The stalk-like leaves develop a fluffy plume at the top for a nice, clean look. These are cut to the ground in the spring and grow back quickly.
Designing Your New Look
This is the time to decide where any new landscaping will be located. Going back to the sketch of the property, take it one step at a time and add each new piece into the design.
Go outside and walk it out, use a can of spray paint to mark the boundaries if you need help to visualize it. Spray paint is an excellent tool for landscape work, the next time that the lawn is cut, the mess is cleaned up.
Pulling It Together
With the design completed, it's time to start bringing it to life. Where to start? That's the easy part. Take the ONE area that sticks out the most to you and start there. Make sure that this area is completed before you move on to another area. Bringing a problem area to life will be major motivation while working on the other areas.
Landscape Horrors
The biggest mistake made by homeowners and professional landscapers as well is forgetting to progress the plants. When this happens a tree is planted where there should be a small shrub.
Many times, a Rhododendron is assumed to be a small bush. It seems that this plant is nearly always placed right up against the house. If you have ever seen a Rhododendron in nature, you know that this plant is a tree, not a bush.
Plan your backyard landscaping by researching the plants that you choose. Look for information and even an image for a mature plant. Placing an oversize plant in the wrong spot means that once it has grown too large, you will need to move it. Plan now to place your plants where you can enjoy them for many years to come.
Article Source
Evaluating Your Yard
" Look at how the sun hits the yard. Is the area that you want to design in the shade for a portion of the day, or direct sun?
" Does the yard drain properly after a storm?
" Look at the soil in the yard. Is it rich and soft, sandy, full of clay?
" Are there surface roots from trees or many rocks that will need to be removed?
" Is the yard level
" Is there an eye-sore that should be covered up?
" Is there an area that would do well for a container garden?
Now that you have taken a serious look at the property, it is time to sketch a rough design of how you want it to look. Be sure to include any existing flowers, trees or shrubs. Decide what the roll of each will be in the new design and if any of them will need to be removed.
Are there any problem areas that need to be addressed?
Adding soil to an area with poor drainage will help level out the area and improve the drainage. Surface roots can be ground down, but what if you would like to keep the tree? A raised garden is an excellent idea for either of these issues.
Top soil or mushroom soil tilled into an area will help improve the quality of dirt that you have to work with. This will do wonders for any plants that are introduced into this soil.
An eyesore, such as a shed or garbage can storage area can be "hidden" nicely with a variety of plants. Look at Pampas grass, some varieties grow over 6 feet tall and spread a little each year. The stalk-like leaves develop a fluffy plume at the top for a nice, clean look. These are cut to the ground in the spring and grow back quickly.
Designing Your New Look
This is the time to decide where any new landscaping will be located. Going back to the sketch of the property, take it one step at a time and add each new piece into the design.
Go outside and walk it out, use a can of spray paint to mark the boundaries if you need help to visualize it. Spray paint is an excellent tool for landscape work, the next time that the lawn is cut, the mess is cleaned up.
Pulling It Together
With the design completed, it's time to start bringing it to life. Where to start? That's the easy part. Take the ONE area that sticks out the most to you and start there. Make sure that this area is completed before you move on to another area. Bringing a problem area to life will be major motivation while working on the other areas.
Landscape Horrors
The biggest mistake made by homeowners and professional landscapers as well is forgetting to progress the plants. When this happens a tree is planted where there should be a small shrub.
Many times, a Rhododendron is assumed to be a small bush. It seems that this plant is nearly always placed right up against the house. If you have ever seen a Rhododendron in nature, you know that this plant is a tree, not a bush.
Plan your backyard landscaping by researching the plants that you choose. Look for information and even an image for a mature plant. Placing an oversize plant in the wrong spot means that once it has grown too large, you will need to move it. Plan now to place your plants where you can enjoy them for many years to come.
Article Source
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