4 Questions To Ask When It Comes To Pool Excavation

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Pool excavation can be tricky at times, you want to make sure you have professionals who know what to do when certain “mishaps” occur. This way they can correct the issue and keep progression going with the excavation of your pool.

Pool excavation: Day 1
Photo Credit: Douglas Cox on flickr

Here are common questions to ask when excavating a pool:

1. How Much Dirt Will There Be?

When planning a pool project, you need to determine where all that excess dirt will go. Most people do not realize how much dirt actually comes from digging a hole for a pool. How much dirt do you expect? Now times that number by 5 or 10 and that is about how much dirt to expect. The average pile of dirt size to be extracted from the ground when digging for a pool is that of about 5 garden sheds! The best idea is to have it hauled out by the excavationers, that way you’re not stuck with a giant ugly pile of dirt in your yard that you need to wheel barrow on weekends, or have to hire someone else to get rid of it.

2. What Happens When You Hit Rocks Or Water?

We cannot stress enough how helpful and important a soil test is! Many customers do not get this done, which makes the job more difficult since we will not know what we are going to find when digging. When you get a soil test, it will help us determine how easily the hole will be dug, or if we will run into a lot of rock or ground water.

If rock or groundwater is hit, there are several things that can be done;

Rock:

-You can move the destination of the pool to an area that is less rocky.
-Choose an elevated pool instead (this can affect cost).
-Hammer the rock (again, may cost more).
-Decide to not get a pool.

Water:

-Install a dewatering system to keep the hole dry. This allows you to keep the pool in the original destination.
-Elevate pool (same as when hitting rock).

3. Will I Save Money If I Dig My Own Hole?

The answer to this is pretty simple… No. In the long run it MAY save you $500, but that is not guaranteed. Most contractors will actually charge more for a self dug hole.

4. What Will Happen To My Yard?

Unfortunately, you can’t use a helicopter to haul the dirt, gravel and etc. from the yard, and if you figure out how to do that, we are sure it’ll cost you a pretty penny! So, that being said, you will need to expect heavy machinery being moved in and out of your yard. This can cause some damage to the lawn and etc.

Helpful Excavation Tips

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When you build a new home, you are required to excavate the land before you lay the foundation. This is not only important for laying the foundation but also for the plumbing and electrical systems. There are a lot of factors that go into excavating land for a home. Making sure the soil is just right, that the land isn’t too close to water, etc. Here are some tips to follow when excavating the land for your home.

Loader Excavation
Photo Credit: Focus 4 Development on flickr

1. Remove Ground Water

Drill a pump line in the ground to remove ground water. Groundwater can be seriously detrimental during the work on a foundation as it can flood your work area. This can make building a foundation impossible.

2. Test The Soil

This is important because at times the soil may need to be treated before you build on it. The soil may be too loamy, which means you will need to dig deeper and find more solid soil.

3. Hire Professionals

Be sure to hire professionals who know what they are doing! Excavation can be a very technical job, and you want to be sure it is getting done correctly.

4. Check the land

Make sure that you are getting the right measurements for the angle of the ground you are going to break. You will also want to be sure that the land is able to be built on.

5. Follow Safety Precautions

Above everything, be sure that you’re following all safety precautions. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, and dangers when excavating a property. You will want to be sure that the job goes smoothly and that no one is put in danger.

What Is A Sewer Tap?

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If you are planning to have a new home or even a new business establishment and there’s a municipal sewer district then you also need to have a municipal sewer line located near the property. Where is it located?

The sewer stub installed in the main sewer line has its stub line run at the property line. If there is no line or stub at the property, you need to have the municipal sewer main line.

For those who intend to build a new house or a business, one may ask, what is a sewer stub? This is basically a sewer lateral stub. It varies in sizes but the average size is about 4 inches in diameter. What is the purpose of this sewer stub? It connects to the main pipe of the municipal sewer line alongside a short lateral that runs to your property.

Plumber
Photo Credit: SW Missouri Plumbing on flickr

Keep in mind that municipal sewer main lines in general make use of gravity flow type of system which means that they could run very deep and that the stub line is about 5’ deep.

What works best if you want to tap the main sewer line? It is best to have a tapping saddle sleeve. This always works well if you want to tap a live sewer line. Basically, the main sewer line continuously flows and you cannot turn it off just to have a sewer tap. That is why it is called a hot or live tap because of its continuous flow. For live tap, there is a specifically designed tool that is used together with the tapping sleeve. This machine will cut into the main line pipe to have a new connection for the lateral line.

The tapping saddle enables the machine to cut through a seal between the current sewer pipe and the saddle which will seal any kind of leakage.

When it comes to sewer main tapping, safety will always be one of the most important things. Keep in mind that when working with deep sewer lines, workers have to be protected. They need to wear the right protective gear like gloves, glasses and safety requirements.

Cost Of Installing A Septic Tank

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In installing a septic system, the cost would actually depend on different factors. Variables that affect the cost include the number of bathrooms, bedrooms, land, location of the specific property and even accessibility. You also have to factor in regulations as they will determine the size of your septic system depending on the number of rooms. For instance, a home that has more bedrooms need a much bigger septic system compared to a home that has a fewer rooms. Another factor that affects the cost is the type of system. This is one of the major factors that will significantly affect the total cost.

Some who want to avoid the cost would want to install it on their own. Yes, it is possible to do it yourself. You can save money. However, there are important things that you need to keep in mind. Septic systems should still be installed by professionals. They know the ins and outs of doing the job, something that only professionals know. If you are not a licensed person to install septic systems, you have to hire a certified contractor. A licensed professional can install the septic system the proper and correct way. Your contractor will ensure you of a reliable septic system.

For the septic tank and the system, the cost ranges from $1,500 or even more up to $4,000. Now, let’s take a look at the specific factors that affect the overall cost of buying and installing a septic system.

Different Types of Septic System

One of the main variables that affect the prices of septic system is the holding tank and there are actually 2 types including the steel and the concrete. Which one is better? It actually depends since the two have their share of pros and cons. If you want to go for the least expensive choice, the concrete tank is the better option. This is also the most common choice. However, the downside of choosing concrete tank is that it is prone to cracking. That is why it is crucial to have proper installation of concrete tank. The tank should be laying on a foundation, on sand and it should have enough depth. You also need to have regular inspections done. How long does a concrete tank last? With the right installation and regular maintenance, a concrete tank will last even up to 4 decades.

septic_tank-2
Photo Credit: Frankie Rice on flickr

On the other hand, steel tanks are quite durable and they are not susceptible to cracks. The only downside is that they are prone to rusting. How long does a steel tank last? It will depend on the quality of the material and the soil condition. You need to inspect it every year.

There are also other options depending on your preference. You may want to go for plastic or fiberglass tanks. Both of these options are prone to structural damages. Eventually, they can be brittle which can result to tank failure.

Preparation and Landscaping

Aside from the type of septic system, there are also other factors that can affect the cost like the installation of the septic tank and system. When it comes to the cost, it will depend on the tank size and even the installation cost would depend on the tank size. If the tank is bigger, it takes more work to excavate. There is also landscaping cost.

Labour Cost

The reason why you need a licensed professional is that they know how to install to do it the right way. On top of that, installing such system is also complicated. By hiring a contractor, you can have a peace of mind when you know there is an expert who will do the job.

Is There Dangers To Having Trees In Your Yard?

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The sight of lush greeneries in your yard can surely make you feel relaxed and comfortable. Most owners would either put a hammock or a nice patio table and chair where they can just relax. Whether it is at home or in any other establishment it is always nice to have trees.

Backyard
Photo Credit: Ric Simenson on flickr

But there are also concerns that you have to take into consideration. Trees without a doubt can add natural beauty to any property aside from the fact that it gives you cooler breeze especially during summer season. However trees can also damage your sewer system.

The roots of trees naturally crawl around in search for food and water in order for the tree to live and to be healthy. This can take quite a long time which will surprise you. The root system of a tree is quite complex. The problem now lies with the fact that the crawling of trees will result to its roots reaching your sewer lines. These sewer lines are located and buried into the ground. Sewer systems contain materials that you want to get rid of.

When the roots of a tree finds its way to the sewer lines the tendency is that it will continuously grow and expand until it burst out of your pipes. What happens next is that it results to a big mess.

The good news is that there are lots of ways to prevent the roots from reaching your sewer lines. For instance if you happen to have various trees that are planted in your yard, it is very essential that you have a yearly inspection of your sewer system. This is to ensure that the roots are not getting anywhere near your sewer lines. You can hire a professional plumber who can conduct the inspection to see if there is something to worry about and to assess the present condition.

In addition to having an annual inspection, you may also want to contact your arborist since they know various ways to reduce the girth of the roots. They can provide you with the tips and other solutions that will not damage your trees but can effectively limit the tree root’s girth.

There is nothing wrong in having trees in your backyard. In fact, it adds natural appeal and beauty to your home. It is also very important for the environment. But homeowners should also be aware of the danger of having various trees in the yard. When the roots reach as far as your sewer lines, it can cause a huge mess which can result to more costs. To avoid this, it is better to have annual inspection and if there is a problem diagnosed then the professional plumber should be able to handle it.

Adding a Play Structure in Your Yard

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Setting Up a Play Structure

When installing a play structure in your yard, especially if you have a structure set in wood chips, pea gravel or mulch, you have to be cautious since it can seriously interrupt the air and the bacteria in your drain pipes. As much as it is a good idea to have a play structure set up in your yard, there are also reasons why doing so is bad idea.

If you really want to make the structure safe, you need to dig about 1 ft. off the ground and put plastic sheeting. Pour enough wood chips, pea gravel or mulch. Doing this enables the footings of the structure to be properly hidden so that no one would play on them. On top of that, it also adds stability to your play structure. The downside is that it can cut-off the bacteria in the pipes which is crucial. If the bacteria in your drain field fails to survive, the breakdown process is affected and as a result it can cause a flood of waste.

If there are problems with your septic system, it is important that you hire professionals who can do the job and they should have access to the drain field as well as the other parts of the system. Having a play structure makes it difficult especially when you have to move it not to mention that it takes a lot of time to do it. A play structure can be quite heavy.

Although there are downsides in having a play structure, there are ways for you to still install it even if you have a septic system in your yard. Make your own research and talk to professionals for advice. For sure, they can find a way to help you prior to installing a play structure.

Mustang #MU36
Photo Credit: Backyard Fun Factory on flickr

Kids love to play and if you are planning to have a play structure in your yard, you do not just consider what your kids like. Keep in mind that these structures may also reach the septic system. If you have one in your yard, it is essential that you are aware as to how sensitive a septic system is. Septic systems are very important as they put chemicals and waste into your home’s drains. There are cases where septic tanks can be clogged and the drain pipes can be cracked or clogged.

In the septic tank, it has certain bacteria that are responsible in breaking down the waste. This is basically the first breakdown phase and to ensure that the colony of bacteria survives, the tank should be airtight. What happens when the tank cracks is that air comes in. Bacteria would start to die and the first breakdown process will be affected.

In the drain field, it contains pipes and inside these pipes there you find groups of bacteria. This is where the second phase of breakdown comes in and it makes the water usable for plants and sod. In order for these bacteria to live and to effectively break down waste they need some air. Without air, bacteria will die and the process will be interrupted. This can result to serious health as well as environmental risk.

Four Most Common Construction & Excavation Accidents

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There are many things that can go wrong and cause sever accidents and even death during construction and excavation. These accidents usually occur with carelessness and when workers do not take the proper safety precautions. These are the four main causes for accidents and deaths on a job site.

Photo Credit: Ryan Adams on flickr

1. Falls

Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in construction. They account for approximately 1/3 of all deaths in the construction industry. These usually occur from not having proper safety nets for holes, unguarded protruding rebar where impalement happens, not stabilizing portable ladders, poor scaffold construction.

2. Struck By

Another leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry are struck-by accidents. This happens most when heavy equipment is involved, such as cranes or trucks. In fact, 75% of struck-by accidents are caused by heavy equipment use. Struck-by accidents can also be caused by power tools that are being used where someone is struck by flying particles or nails, falling or flying objects, and forklifts.

3. Trenching

This is probably one of the most dangerous jobs out there for excavation workers. Trenching and excavation work accounts for 112% more fatalities than that of just general construction work. Trenching involves working in deep dig outs, deaths usually happen when soil is piled to closely to the edge and it collapses onto workers causing asphyxiation or drowning.

4. Electrical

This may be one of the most common accidents, coming in contact with power lines – resulting in electrocution. Electrical wires are not the only hazard when it comes to electrical accidents. Tools or equipment that has exposed wires, or poor insulation are another cause of electrical accidents. Misuse of electrical equipment is yet another cause as well.

Every worker is entitled to a safe and hazard free work environment, and when a business is ran correctly that is usually the case. Unfortunately, construction and excavation are dangerous jobs by nature as is and any amount of safety regulations or precautions cannot always prevent accidents from happening. So be careful out there and make sure to practice safety regulations as well as possible to avoid these and many other accidents from happening.