How do you Thaw out frozen soil?

Softening frozen soil isn’t fun but it has to be done when you need to work on the ground. You can’t just chip it away and you can’t use home made explosives (they are illegal). Fortunately, there are tools such as construction heaters that can help you with that. In addition to construction heaters, there are also several other options that can be used to soften frozen ground.

Ways to Soften Frozen Soil

Use Sawdust

Find some sawdust. In fact, find a lot of it. If there are some local mills around, you shouldn’t have any problems in sourcing it. Just dump it on the frozen ground and it should generate enough heat to soften the ground. Many people keep a large pile of sawdust for this purpose as they have to deal with frozen ground regularly.

Build a Tent

Another way is to build a tent over the frozen ground. Keep it around a foot or two off the ground. You will also need to find a heat source. The tent works like a greenhouse and should be able to soften the frozen ground. As far as the heat source is concerned, there are a number of options. It could be a kerosene heater or a propane heater.

Use a Heating and Pumping System

When building contractors have to thaw ground for various types of construction work, they typically use a heating and pumping system. In place of kerosene or propane, they prefer using ethylene glycol solution. In this system, a flexible hose is laid out on the ground surface and is covered with insulating blankets. The system is typically run over a few days and the ground softens enough to begin construction work.

Construction Heaters

These heaters are available in a wide range of sizes and are capable of generating a lot of heat in order to soften the frozen ground. These heaters are widely used at construction sites for thawing frozen ground, for curing concrete as well as for keeping the crew warm. While these are a great way to soften up frozen soil, you need to know how to set these up in order to achieve the desired results.

The first thing you’ll need to figure out is the size of the heater you will need and that will depend on the area that needs to be thawed. You can buy these heaters but there are several companies that rent these out. If you are not in this business and need a temporary solution, it is better to just rent one out. If you are not sure about choosing the right size, discuss it with the company renting heaters and they should be able to help you choose the right one. The size will depend on the area that needs to be thawed as well as temperature of the ground.

Make sure the tank is full of fuel as heater will need to run overnight in order to soften the soil enough for work to be done. In some cases, you might need to run the construction heater for a number of days. Most of these heaters are designed to run long hours. There are heaters that can run continuously for more than 100 hours.

These heaters offer a number of advantages. One of the biggest advantages is that you don’t need to build temporary structures. Some of these heaters are able to thaw up to 1 foot deep per day. There are a number of companies that rent out these heaters. You can easily find a few such companies by using your favorite search engine. Just search for construction heaters followed by your location and the search engine should throw up several dozen companies in your location.

To conclude, there are a number of ways for you to soften frozen soil. However, it might take a number of days and therefore, you need to prepare your schedule accordingly in order to have enough time for the ground to soften up and be ready for working.

Pump, How to Oxygenate a Pond 

If you have a pond, you must ensure that it has enough oxygen to keep your fish healthy. A pond that has adequate oxygen levels filters itself naturally. One of the reasons that your pond may have lower levels of oxygen is too much algae growth in the pond. If the water is warm, the oxygen levels will automatically get lower, putting your fish at risk. You need to keep the oxygen levels sufficient, especially during the summer when algae are most likely to thrive. If left unchecked, it can become a big problem for the fish. You can ensure your pond has sufficient oxygen by using an pond oxygen pump. These pumps are available at hardware stores.

A pond’s oxygen levels are likely to get lower in the night, which may cause the fish to get sick and die. If you suspect that your pond has low levels of oxygen, you can purchase a test kit and test the water. Aeration is important for your pond because it ensures the debris decays properly instead of producing toxic gases that poison the fish.

Here are some ways to oxygenate a pond if you find that it has low oxygen levels.

1.A Pond Air Pump

As mentioned before, a pond air pump is a good way to oxygenate your pond. The pump has a hose that pumps bubbles into the pond. Once the surface of the water is broken by the bubbles, oxygen will enter the water. During winter when there are chances that the pond will freeze over, the pump ensures that the water surface is always moving. When there is movement, the surface does not freeze and the pond gets oxygen from the air.

There are electric pumps and solar pumps. The pump must be kept dry, which means it can be stored in the garage. Solar pumps can be set up outside when the sun is out.

2. Adding A Fountain

You do not need a large pond to have a fountain because they come in various sizes. Adding a fountain to the pond will mean that the water surface is not still. Whenever the water breaks, fresh oxygen is introduced to the water. Your fish will have enough oxygen, and there will be a lesser chance of algae growing in the pond.

3. Spraying Water With A Hose

A hose is a cost-effective way to oxygenate your pond. You can take a hose and spray the water surface of the pond with fresh water from your tap. It will keep the water moving and ensure that oxygen from the air and the freshwater gets into the pond water.

4. Adding Water Plants

There are oxygenator plants that you can place at the bottom of the pond. When they produce oxygen, it will be absorbed by the water in the pond, ensuring that the life in your pond is safe. It is worth noting that this could be a risky solution as the plants only produce oxygen during the day, which still places the oxygen levels in your pond at risk of dropping during the night.

5. Buying A Diffuser

A diffuser works similarly to a pump in that it produces air bubbles to ensure the water surface is not stagnant. The air bubbles also produce oxygen which is then absorbed by the water in the pond.

Some signs that your pond does not have healthy oxygen levels are;

-Foul odor coming from the pond. These come from decaying material and a lack of proper filtration.

-Fish gasping for air at the surface of the pond. They may also be swimming close to fountains or streams.

-Fast algae growth in the pond.

San Antonio, Stone Countertops Info and Ideas

There is no denying that when most people think of stone countertops, they are thinking of quartz and granite. After all, these are some of the most popular stone types commonly used for counter tops. However, there are a number of other options. In today’s article, we will discuss various types of stone countertops and some important things you need to know before choosing a stone countertop.

Some of the most common choices for stone countertops include granite, marble, quartz, soapstone, limestone and travertine. These are available in a wide range of natural colors and patterns. Here is a list of some of the important things you need to know before choosing a stone countertop.

First and foremost, you need to know your stones. Marble and granite are the most popular options but are also the most expensive. Natural stones allow you much less control over the colors and pattern where you can get more customized colors and patterns with engineered quartz and it comes at a lower price point. Since you are choosing a stone to use as a countertop, you would want to choose a stone that is heat resistant.

Natural stones are all heat resistant including limestone, granite, marble as well as soapstone among others. However, quartz might crack under extreme heat which means you should never put any hot pots and pans onto a quartz surface directly. It is also important for you to understand that while natural stones are resistant to heat, it does not mean that you should be placing hot things directly on the surface. It is better to use pads or trivets to preserve the surface.

When it comes to quartz, one of its biggest advantages is that it is non-porous which means you do not need a sealant to prevent absorption of harmful bacteria and other microorganisms. It is also resistant to stains. Some of the other non-porous options include soapstone and slate. On the other hand, marble, limestone and granite are porous which means they are likely to stain easily without a sealant. This is why, sealant is important for countertops made of granite, limestone or marble in order to preserve their looks. It is also important that you keep acidic foods and cleaners away from countertops made of marble, granite and limestone.

When it comes to marble, you should know that it is a soft stone which makes it perfect for baking and other such things but it can also be easily scratched and nicked. This is why, you should always use a cutting board on a marble countertop. In comparison, quartz and granite are tougher which makes them more resistant to scratches and chips. Similarly, Slate is a tough stone but it is brittle in nature. This is why, the edges of a slate countertop should always be rounded in order to avoid chipping.

When it comes to cost, the natural stones are obviously the most expensive. However, it would be right to say that granite has become ubiquitous. Almost every kitchen has it. If you want your kitchen to stand out, you might want to use some other type of stone.

As far as countertop installation is concerned, it is recommended to hire the services of a professional installer for a clean finish. Do not DIY a stone countertop installation if you do not have the necessary training and tools. Installing laminate countertops is relatively easy as you can usually cut them at home with the help of commonly available tools but cutting and filing stone slabs is a whole different ballgame. This is why, it is always better to hire the services of a specialist countertop installer to get that perfect finish.

What To Expect When Buying Or Renting A Condo At 220 W Washington Square

If you are looking to rent or buy a condo in Philadelphia, you may have considered one at 220 W Washington Square. Since there are other buildings in the area, it may be difficult to determine what sets this apart from the rest. Here are all of the things that you can expect if you decide to make this your new home.

Central Location

The building is located in the heart of the city in historic Washington Square. This means that you will have easy access to many historic parks, places to eat and public transit. It is very walkable and you will not need to have access to a vehicle in order to navigate to other parts of the city. In addition, you can easily get to popular areas like Rittenhouse Square and the Gayborhood, which is a place that is an enclave for the LGBTQ+ community.

Privacy

Many of the buildings in the area have more than one unit per floor, which means that you may have to share a wall with others. In places where a thin piece of sheetrock is the only thing that separates you from your neighbors, it can be difficult to get any privacy. This is not the case here since there are only seven units in the entire building and each is located on its own floor.

Large Units

It can be a real pain to purchase a condo and have limited space. In many cases, you have to choose between having a unit in an area you love or one that is large enough that you can feel comfortable in it. All of the condos that are available at 220 W. Washington Square are over 3,000 feet, which is plenty of room. This is larger than many of the units that are available in the same area, yet the price is comparable.

Parking Is an Option

If you are someone who owns a vehicle, the last thing you want to worry about is trying to find a place to park every time you arrive home. The great thing is that some of the units in this building have parking places included in the cost. While this may come with a heftier price tag than a unit without one, this is much likely to be cheaper than having to pay for a parking spot separately. Those who do not drive themselves may still want to consider a unit like this if they plan to have regular guests who drive. It can save them a lot of time and money while helping them avoid receiving any parking tickets.

Limited Availability

While there are some buildings that have units available at any given time, this is not the case here. This property is highly sought after and anyone who is fortunate enough to get a spot in this building would be quite lucky. With the floor to ceiling windows, the abundance of natural light in each unit and things that make each condo unique from the others, people who rent and buy in the building tend to stay for a bit. If you notice a unit is open when you are looking, you should jump as quickly as you can since it will not last very long.

As you can tell, there are many things that set this place apart from many others in the area. If you are looking for a place to rent or buy, this is one place that should be at the very top of your list. There is no way that you will not be impressed if you decide to take a look.

Common Signs That You May Need Foundation Repair

Your home’s foundation provides essential structural support. Any cracks, settling, or other problems with the foundation can jeopardize the structural integrity of the building, causing a variety of issues. Dealing with problems right away is important to prevent any significant damage from occurring. Some of the most common signs you may need foundation repair include:

– Visible cracks in the foundation, walls, floors, or ceilings of your home.

– Doors and windows that don’t open or close easily. When the foundation settles, it can cause door frames and window frames to shift to one side or the other, angling them so that the corners are no longer square. This can lead to problems with doors and windows sticking.

– Uneven floors that are no longer level or that are showing symptoms like sagging.

– Wallpaper that has sagged, ripped, or creased. This can be caused by the walls moving as a result of foundation problems.

If you notice any of these problems in your home, you should contact a company that specializes in foundation repair. Most companies will inspect your foundation for free to see if any problems need to be repaired. If they discover any issues, they will provide you with an estimate for the cost of the repairs.