Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

OK - terminology issue here. The "shower pan" is a collection liner than underlies the shower floor itself, and is designed (if built and plumbed right) to trap any leakage from the shower floor and route it to the same floor drain pipe. Example image here, copper in this case -

http://indigochreblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/img_0835.jpg

It sounds like your are saying the shower floor or base unit failed - likely a fiberglass or plastic shower, which commonly fail due to incomplete support under them. This can be repaired if fiberglass, but is not usually done unless just microcracking, as it is hard to find an expert - usually you have to have a car body fiberglass specialist or a surfboard repair expert do it, and the color will not match perfectly unless you get a new gelcoat over the entire base unit. Cost about $300-500, ASSUMING the material can be repaired - true fiberglass can, thermoplastic can sometimes be welded but anyone's guess how long it will last without cracking again, plastics like PVC can rarely be fixed so they will hold someone standing on them. Any sort of repair is likely to crack again, because you have done nothing to remove the cause of the cracking which is standing on a base that is not fully supported over its full extent. Some cheepo or desperate plumbers try injecting non-pressuring type expanding foam underneath to improve the support - this does a great job of supporting it but unfortunately supports mold, so starts stinking in short order as a rule.

The normal fix is to remove and replace it, because once it is out there is no sense in putting a damaged one back in for the small increment in cost. Removing it means taking the shower wall liners or the bottom row or two of tile out so you can get the new base unit into place (because they overlap it), then replacing them. So, the $3000 range indicated is indicative of this type of job, which typically runs from a very low of around $1500-2000 for an identical base unit, to more typically $3-5,000 depending on whether a shower enclosure or tile walls. Of course,when the new one is put in, it is CRITICAL that it be fully supported - this means rubbing plumbers rouge or similar marking substance on the bottom, test fitting it, and then lifting it out and checking that all the stiffener ribs and support pads made contact with the pan, and making adjusments as necessary until it has full contact, then standing in it and rocking back and forth to check for any points not making full contat and fixing them.

The $10,000 plus numbers you got must have been for entire shower replacement down to the joists and studs, and the $30,000 range number would be typical for a full bathroom remodel with new shower or shower/tub and doors and surround, wall finishes, vanity, sink, toilet, and flooring and door.

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Handyman Service in Philadelphia - Angie's List

Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the family Poaceae (also called Gramineae), as well as the sedges (Cyperaceae) and the rushes (Juncaceae). The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns (turf) and grassland. Sedges include many wild marsh and grassland plants, and some cultivated ones such as water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) and papyrus sedge (Cyperus papyrus).

Uses for graminoids include food (as grain, sprouted grain, shoots or rhizomes), drink (beer, whisky, vodka), pasture for livestock, thatch, paper, fuel, clothing, insulation, construction, sports turf, basket weaving and many others.

Graminoids include some of the most versatile plant life-forms. They became widespread toward the end of the Cretaceous period, and fossilized dinosaur dung (coprolites) have been found containing phytoliths of a variety that include grasses that are related to modern rice and bamboo.[1] Grasses have adapted to conditions in lush rain forests, dry deserts, cold mountains and even intertidal habitats, and are now the most widespread plant type; grass is a valuable source of food and energy for all sorts of wildlife and organics.

Graminoids are the dominant vegetation in many habitats, including grassland, salt-marsh, reedswamp and steppes. They also occur as a smaller part of the vegetation in almost every other terrestrial habitat.

Many types of animals eat grass as their main source of food, and are called graminivores these include cattle, sheep, horses, rabbits and many invertebrates, such as grasshoppers and the caterpillars of many brown butterflies. Grasses are also eaten by omnivorous or even occasionally by primarily carnivorous animals. Grasses are unusual in that the meristem is located near the bottom of the plant, hence can quickly recover from cropping at the top.[2]

In the study of ecological communities, herbaceous plants are divided into graminoids and forbs, which are herbaceous dicotyledons, mostly with broad leaves.

Plants of this type have always been important to humans. They have been grown as food for domesticated animals for up to 6,000 years. (See grass-fed beef.) They have been used for paper-making since 2400 BC or before. The most important food crops are the grains of grasses such as wheat, rice and barley. They have many other uses, such as feeding animals, and for lawns. There are many minor uses, and grasses are familiar to most human cultures.

In some places, particularly in suburban areas, the maintenance of a grass lawn is a sign of a homeowner's responsibility to the overall appearance of their neighborhood. One work credits lawn maintenance to:

...the desire for upward mobility and its manifestation in the lawn. As Virginia Jenkins, author of The Lawn, put it quite bluntly, 'Upper middle-class Americans emulated aristocratic society with their own small, semi-rural estates.' In general, the lawn was one of the primary selling points of these new suburban homes, as it shifted social class designations from the equity and ubiquity of urban homes connected to the streets with the upper-middle class designation of a "healthy" green space and the status symbol that is the front lawn.[3][4]

Many municipalities and homeowners' associations have rules which require lawns to be maintained to certain specifications, sanctioning those who allow the grass to grow too long. In communities with drought problems, watering of lawns may be restricted to certain times of day or days of the week.[5]

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Grass - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

New Found Space

Attic remodeling also called second story development is a wonderful thing to consider. Adding more usable space at a fraction of the cost is like winning the lottery.

We get it, and have done this for others who will sing our praises. One of our signature moves it to do the majority of our work without tromping through your home.

Attic remodeling is a great cost effective way to create extra space as you often dont have the expense of a roof, exterior walls, or foundation that would be incurred with a traditional addition of a second story.

It is not uncommon to create a master suite, home office, or media room in your new found space.

At the beginning stages of your attic remodeling, you can do a few easy inspections to determine if your attic is suitable for a successful remodel. Dont worry we are not expecting you to solve them all, we just like to be on the same sheet of music when we arrive for a look see. First imagine a great comfortable space, often with a view.

A large open stairway is a wonderful thought but is often a difficult thing to fit in. Solving this problem is often challenging but likely solvable.

No one wants to be crouched down or hitting their head in a converted attic. We have several ways to make the best use of space. Dormers are one way, replacing roof framing with trusses or SIP panels is another.

We look at what existing conditions are and evaluate several options. Many of our projects do not affect roofing, as we can harmonize with what you already have if necessary. As far as roof type, the taller the roof the more likely a space can be added within it. (sort of goes without saying)

Fortunately, the roof is close to the natural sunlight. Skylights and solar tubes work well for adding natural lighting. We also find that adding gable windows or eyebrow windows have provided exactly what our clients had in mind.

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Remodel Your Attic into a Livable Space | Levco Builders

HomeBasement Finishing System

Except for the furnishings, this finished basement would not be damaged by flooding. All components are water- and mold-resistant.

The TBFBasement Finishing System transforms your basement into a beautiful, finished living area for you and your family to enjoy and love.

TBF offers a total basement remodeling package. The basement wall systems, basement floor system, basement ceiling system, and basement window system are specifically designed for comfort and beauty in the basement. These finished basement systems resist mold, resist water, dampen noise, provide thermal insulation, are flexible enough to fit your basement finishing ideas, and look great when they're installed together!

Finishing a basement is a great investment. Besides the obvious benefit of gaining more living space, a finished basement adds value to your home. The right finished basement system can save energy, increase comfort, and create a healthier home environment overall. Sign up today for a FREE Basement Finishing Estimate!

TBF uses only the finest quality, high-end designer basement remodeling products. The basement ceiling tiles are designed to resist sagging, will never promote mold growth, and are the brightest, most attractive tiles on the market. Our ThermalDry basement floor tile systems are available finished in a variety of carpeted and tiled designs, as well as being available in an unfinished style that you can lay carpet over to suit your personal style. Our Mill Creek Basement Flooring Systemcombines the aesthetic beauty of natural wood with the durability, mold resistance and waterproof nature of vinyl. TBF'sEverlast Basement Wall Panelscome with a neutral beige finished surface that can be painted over and is strong enough to support the weight of a full-sized plasma TV.

See our Finished Basement Pictures gallery for a look at how the TBF remodeling system can turn your basement into beautiful living space.

The Total Basement Finishing basement wall system with SilverGlo insulation is rated R-13 for insulation quality the highest rating for basement wall insulation. Our ThermalDry Basement Floor Matting creates a thermal break between the finished basement area and the unfinished concrete basement floor, warming the floor, making it more comfortable, and enabling the basement space to be more effectively heated. These basement floor tiles also prevent moisture from seeping up into the carpet. Our ThermalDry Insulated Floor Decking combines all the benefits of our popular floor matting, with a layer of SilverGlo foam insulation for added insulating value. This helps to prevent mold and the musty smell associated with carpet laid directly on a concrete floor. Our EverLast Basement Windows are made of crystal clear double thermopane glass, making your home more energy efficient while simultaneously adding light and beauty to your finished basement area!

Total Basement Finishing was awarded the Quality and Innovation Award in 2007 by the Connecticut Quality Improvement Award Partnership for Total Basement Finishing's EverLast Finished Basement Wall Panels. The prize was based on their mold resistant, insulating, finishing versatility, and water-resistant qualities. Our SunHouse Basement Window Enclosure won the Quality and Innovation Award in 2005. Other great products that make up the TBF remodeling system include many varieties of basement lighting options, and the SaniDry basement dehumidifier and air filtration system.

Total Basement Finishing is owned by Basement Systems Inc., the first name in responsible basement waterproofing. Basement Systems understands the importance of remodeling a basement with only products that can stand up to the damp environment of a subterranean space. In fact, we've been recommended by the Better Business Bureau! If you're going to finish your basement, finish it once and forever! Sign up today for your FREE basement finishing estimate!

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Basement Finishing System by Total Basement Finishing

Wolf Commercial Real Estate is a premier Philadelphia commercial real estate broker that clients rely on for retail space in Philadelphia. We represent buyers, sellers, owners and tenants for all their Philly retail space needs.

We are experts in the Philadelphia retail space market, with a team of seasoned and knowledgeable real estate advisors ready to help you achieve your real estate goals. At Wolf Commercial Real Estate, we go well beyond simply handling property transactions. As an unparalleled Philadelphia commercial real estate broker, we are a strategic partner whose number-one priority is our clients long-term growth and success in the Philadelphia retail space market.

Retail businesses looking to buy or lease retail space in Philly can be assured that the professionals at our Philadelphia commercial real estate brokerage firm have the expertise to help you find the Philly retail space that best suits your needs. At Wolf Commercial Real Estate, we make certain that the sale or lease terms for your new Philadelphia retail space work to advance your commercial real estate goals. Were the Philadelphia commercial real estate broker that is with you from the beginning of the transaction to the end, making the transition to your new retail space in Philly smooth and seamless.

Retail property owners looking to sell or lease retail space in Philadelphia will appreciate the defined marketing strategy that the team at our Philadelphia commercial real estate brokerage firm creates and customizes for each property and sub-market. This process works to effectively and efficiently match buyers and tenants with retail space in Philly.

Retail space in Philadelphia is aggressively priced, and market trends show that the retail business in the region is poised for a massive rebound. For more information, please contact the team at Wolf Commercial Real Estate, a leading Philadelphia commercial real estate brokerage firm.

Tags: Philadelphia commercial real estate, Philadelphia commercial real estate broker, Philadelphia commercial real estate brokerage firm, Philadelphia retail space, Philly retail space, retail space in Philadelphia, retails space in Philly, Wolf Commercial Real Estate

Retailers, including those in the Philly retail space market, are struggling to develop a strategy for future sales growth that balances online expansion and opening new stores, according to new retail analysis.

BDO USAs ninth annual analysis of risk factors noted by the 100 largest U.S. retailers in their most recent annual reports found that retailers were highly concerned about the best way to fund their growth, even as the retail industry enjoyed solid year-over-year industry performance, positive sales projections, strong consumer confidence and other positive economic indicators.

BDO said the number of U.S. companies that cited U.S. growth and expansion as an area of risk reached 92 percent this year, up from 56 percent in 2013. Retailers in the U.S. and Philadelphia retail space marketplace are vigorously seeking new ways to increase sales and reinforce store brands, while also recognizing the need for an omnichannel marketing approach to satisfy consumers increasing demand for online shopping options.

BDO said retailers moved away from primarily investing in new bricks and mortar stores in 2008. As online buying by consumers ramped up, retailers return on the investment in new stores diminished and capital investments were redirected to online sales, supply chain networks and systems implementations. But with spending in those areas less proven, retailers noted a increased risks with the new investment strategies.

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Philly Retail Space

Eagle Sales of the Black Hills

Project Description: Eagle Sales of the Black Hills, a major beverage distributor, has relocated its headquarters to accommodate the growth the company has seen over the last decade. The new facility includes plush office space, tap room with outdoor balcony, temperature controlled warehouse, and a separate colder-storage space. The building was a Design Build project and is constructed of concrete tilt-up panels with rigid insulation sandwiched in the middle. This insulation and thermal mass of the concrete will provide superior energy efficiency for the entire facility. The massive concrete-panels are a daunting 25' tall, and were delicately lifted into place by a talented Rapid City construction team, and a large crane. The new location gives Eagle Sales excellent access to I-90 and Hwy 79/Heartland Express.

Architect: Upper Deck Architects Project Manager: Danny Wegner Assistant Project Manager: Bobbie Christenson Superintendent: Mike Walker

Project Description: After successfully building the new Sam's Club, Scull Construction was contracted by the developer to construct a strip mall and manage the site construction for a new Super WalMart. The project included a 40,000 square foot retail building, 3,200 lf of concrete curb and gutter, concrete reinforced access points, and asphalt parking.

Architect: WalMart In-house Project Manager: John Neisner Superintendent: Jake Pehringer

Project Description: This proactive retail client looked to Scull Construction Service to build this warehouse and retail facility in a cost effective and timely manner. Under the guidance of a highly skilled construction leadership and detailed planning, the store opened for business a mere seven months from the beginning of construction.

Architect: Sam's Club Project Manager: John Neisner Assistant Project Manager: Bobbie Christenson Superintendent: Cindee Vito and Scott Smith

Project Description: Midland Atlantic Development has added more retail business space to its successful Rushmore Crossing Shopping Center in Rapid City, SD. Some of the newest additions in the commercial development include Sam's Club, Bed Bath Beyond, Verizon Wireless, Game Stop, Qdoba, and Paninis. The shopping center has continually added space through new construction projects since its opening in the winter of 2009. J Scull Construction has played a key role in getting the projects constructed because of their depth of experience in retail construction. That experience translates into price-effective buildings that are completed to owner specifications in a very timely manner.

Architect: Various Project Manager: Jeff Clark Assistant Project Manager: Bobbie Christenson Superintendent: Cindee Vito

Project Description: The owners of Tractor Supply teamed with Scull Construction Service to build this retail facility with outdoor storage. The experience of the team in developing and building in this growing area of town lent itself well to complete a successful project.

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Service / Retail Projects - Scull Construction Service

The largest and least glamorous part of any home or office HVAC system is the ductwork. Without ducts to carry the heated and cooled air throughout the building, these systems can only heat or cool one room. With properly planned and installed ductwork, however, one HVAC air handling unit is sufficient to keep the temperature of a large house comfortable.

Obviously, the size of the air handling unit and the air conditioning condenser are important. They must be sized appropriately to provide enough airflow for the air volume of the home or office. Thus, a building with high ceilings needs a more powerful air handling unit and a larger condenser than one with normal 8-foot ceilings. In addition to the size of the HVAC system, this guide focuses on designing and installing the ductwork. Read on to learn how to install air conditioning and heating ducts in your home or office.

There are three basic types of ductwork used for homes and offices, with a fourth method that can be done for parts of homes, without any ductwork at all. The three types are sheet metal ducts, duct board, and flexible ducts. Metal ducts are traditional, but the most expensive, often needing to be custom fabricated to match the area. They are also not insulated, which causes them to lose heat into attics, ceilings, and crawl spaces. For this reason, duct board has largely replaced metal ducts.

Duct board is an aluminum foil-coated fiberglass insulation panel. It provides several advantages over metal, while being less expensive to install. The ductwork can be easily cut to size with a utility knife and shaped to meet the needs of the building, and is insulated.

Flexible ducts are used in conjunction with both of the other types of ductwork, predominantly to go from the main duct to individual heating and cooling registers. This makes the installation of these much faster and easier, reducing the overall installation time.

The fourth method, which is used only in homes, is to use the space in the walls or ceilings for ducts. By capping off a section between two studs with aluminum flashing, an instant duct is made. The same thing can be done in the floor joists. While quick and easy, this method depends on the framing of the house running in the right direction to be useful in this manner.

When laying out a ductwork plan, it is important to consider the return air plenum. The air handling unit pumps a large amount of air through the home or office. It needs a constant supply of air to heat and cool so that the air can be returned back to the living spaces.

The return air plenum needs to be located in a place where it is as far from the HVAC registers as is practical. It also needs to be located in a place where it is close to the air handling unit so that the unit does not have to work to pull the air into it. The air filter is located at the entrance to the return air plenum, and the thermostat is usually located close to it.

Most ductwork is installed in either the basement or attic of a home. For businesses and offices, it is installed above the suspended ceiling. This allows it to be installed in areas which are not occupied and are out of the way of traffic. It is usually best to install the ductwork once the building is framed in, but before the installation of drywall. Often, the ductwork is installed at the same time as rough electrical work.

If ductwork is installed in the basement, floor registers are usually used. If it is installed in the attic or above a suspended ceiling, ceiling registers are normally used. Each system has its own advantages. For more efficient cooling, an attic installation is better. For more efficient heating, a basement installation is better.

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How to Install Air Conditioning and Heating Ducts in Your ...

Air Conditioning

We install efficient and reliable products from Carrier, and we also take advantage of the frequent training programs offered by Carrier to keep up-to-date on the most recent technologies and installation techniques. Learn More >>

We recognize that repairing, installing and maintaining heating equipment involves more than just keeping you warm; it is also about establishing a relationship in which you can believe. Learn More >>

For 34 years, our team at Roberts Heating & Air Conditioning has concentrated on keeping our customers comfortable. We recognize that any focus on comfort has to include the quality of your indoor air. Learn More >>

At Roberts Heating & Air Conditioning, we take pride in delivering trustworthy air conditioning services to residents on the North Shore of Chicago. Whether you need a home air conditioning repair or an industrial retrofit, we have the expertise, equipment and experience to handle the job successfully. We offer a widespread range of heating and air conditioning services at prices you can manage:

When your air conditioner needs to be fixed, you want a reliable company you can depend on to handle the repairs. Our service technicians, who undergo frequent factory training and hold certification through North American Technician Excellence (NATE), have the knowledge and equipment to fix all models of heating and cooling equipment in use today. With our NATE-certified technicians and our 24/7 emergency coverage guarantee, you can rest assured that we will be there when you need us.

When it is no longer cost-effective to repair your air conditioner or heating equipment, we will provide solid, practical advice about replacing your system with one that will handle the energy demands of your business or lifestyle. Our energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions will keep you comfortable all year long.

To help you avoid air conditioning and heating repairs to begin with, we offer a selection of service plans tailored to your individual needs. When you take advantage of our maintenance programs, you can rest easy knowing that professionals are looking after your system.

We are delighted to be a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. We adhere to a high set of standards when it comes to serving our customers; Carrier adheres to those same high standards. As a factory authorized dealer, we guarantee you will receive certain benefits from Roberts Heating & Air Conditioning:

The comfort of your family, your customers and your employees is as vital to us as it is to you. Give us a call today to learn how we can help you install a complete comfort system in your home or business.

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Air Conditioning & Heating Repair | Northbrook, IL

Purchasing new siding for your home is a decision with major significance, both aesthetically and functionally. Unlike a fresh paint job or decorating scheme, new siding is something youll likely commit to for many years. By making the right decisions in terms of color and material, your siding will be a source of pride whenever you pull into your driveway. To that end, wed like to give you a brief rundown of what to consider when purchasing new siding for your home.

When to Replace Your Current Siding Here are a few tips to help you discern whether your current siding needs to be replaced:

- Perform a close-up inspection of any siding that appears warped. Using a screwdriver, poke beneath the warped siding and note how firm the layer under the siding feels. If this layer feels rotted in any way, its probably time to replace your siding.

- Surprisingly, a couple of signs that may indicate failing siding are noticeable from inside the home. If youre experiencing peeling paint or sagging wallpaper, it may be because your aging siding is allowing moisture to seep beneath it and into your wallboard. This can damage your homes interior walls, so its something you should get checked out as soon as possible.

- Another sign that your siding allows too much moisture into your homes walls is mold or mildew formation on the exterior of your siding. While not always a sign of failing siding, mold or mildew often signifies additional issues and should be a cause for further investigation.

- Dry rot, one of the more common problems with wood siding, is not always visible to the naked eye. To detect it, tap various areas of the siding with the bottom of a screwdriver or hammer. This will expose an area that has succumbed to dry rot, as only the topmost layer of siding will be intact. If dry rot is discovered, you may be able to get away with just replacing the damaged sections, but oftentimes contractors will recommend a full replacement. Since dry rot may compromise the structural integrity of your home, its definitely an area where youll want to defer to the experts.

Color While this dimension of your siding is almost entirely aesthetic, it carries with it several implications that you may not have initially considered.

- What colors predominate in your neighborhood? While that canary yellow might have looked sharp in a magazine, you may not want your home to stick out too much when seen in the context of your neighborhoods palette. Also, your neighborhood or homeowners association may have rules on the book regarding color options.

- If youre in a hot climate, you may want to consider a lighter shade that wont absorb as much heat as a darker shade does. This will save you energy and money when trying to keep your home cool in the summer.

- Notice the colors of your doors and window frames, and try to imagine your new siding juxtaposed with those. Do they complement each other? Also, if youre planning on changing those or other exterior features of your home in the future, consider how your homes new color scheme will harmonize with your siding.

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Things to Consider when Replacing Siding on Your House

What is a Septic System?

A Septic System is a small wastewater treatment system designed to dispose of household, biological sanitary waste. Wastewater from the home flows into the tank who's primary purpose is to separate solids (which settle to the bottom of the tank as sludge) from the wastewater before they reach the drain (leach) field. The lighter waste particles (such as hair or grease) form a type of scum which accumulates at the top of the tank until purged.

Up to 50 % of the solids retained in the bottom of the tank decompose while the rest accumulate in the tank and require periodic pumping for their removal. After the solids have been removed, the effluent or clarified wastewater, is transported to a distribution box which splits the effluent into a series of pipes set in trenches which are filled with gravel (called the drain or leach field).

These distribution pipes have holes that allow the wastewater to seep through the gravel and into the soil which acts as a natural filter eliminating many of the bacteria that cause diseases. Microorganisms in the soil break down many of the impurities before the filtered water flows back into the groundwater.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 25% of US homes have tanks which treat and dispose of effluage on site, most of which last between 25-35 years if maintained properly. Improperly functioning systems can cause sewage backups, smelly pools of sludge in the yard, excessive green growth, and/or contaminate well/water supplies.

What are the health affects of Sewerage?

Tanks are usually designed to hold enough sludge for up to three years of normal operation. When the sludge level increases beyond its designed capacity, sewage has less time to settle before leaving the tank allowing more solids to escape into the absorption field. Sludge infiltration into the soil absorption field can result in system failure. If sufficient ground area is not available for repair/replacement of the drain field, the home could be rendered inhabitable. To prevent this, the tank must be periodically pumped (the material pumped is known as septage) to remove the sludge buildup.

Improper maintenance by homeowners is the most common reason for failure, leading to high levels of coliform bacteria and nitrates in drinking water. Common problems associated with faulty systems include contaminated wells when the sewerage is located to close or uphill from the water supply.

What can I do to ensure the efficiency of my system?

Regular Inspection, Service and Pumping: The single most important factor is the regular removal of sludge and scum before it washes into the drainfield. Pumping intervals depend largely on the size of the tank, the number of people in your household, the volume of water used and amount of solids being disposed. The State of Georgia recommends regular septic pumping every 3 to 5 years.

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Septic Tank Pumping, Sewer Cleaning | Birmingham