Preparing Your Yard for Winter with Proper Drainage
When it’s time to prepare your yard for winter, one of the simplest solutions you should consider is hiring a New Jersey drainage contractor for assistance. While there is always the option to choose a DIY approach, the reality is that investing in professional services is worth the money. You will receive top-notch results without needing to put in extra time during your evenings and weekends.
In this article, we are providing an overview of the things that you can do to help with proper commercial and residential drainage during the winter season. Here are a few tips that every property owner should keep in mind.
Common Winter Drainage Issues
The first step is to learn more about the most common types of winter drainage issues. If you are going to improve the drainage system, then it starts with knowing what problems you are trying to avoid.
One of the main issues during the winter occurs when excess water starts to pool. You might have standing water in the yard, or ice dams can start to form (depending on the current temperature). When the ground freezes, it often makes these drainage challenges even worse. So, the best solution is to take a proactive approach whenever possible to stay ahead of drainage issues before they become a bigger problem later in the winter season.
Other common drainage issues include:
- Excess water pooling because of melting snow
- Soil erosion and runoff issues
- Snow and ice blocking the drainage systems
- Lack of water absorption because of frozen ground
- Increased risk of water damage to your foundation and/or basement
Also, consider how snow mold can impact the health of your lawn. For example, if the snow starts to accumulate and stays in the same place for an extended period, then it can cause the ground to have leveling issues. Proper drainage helps to reduce the risk of snow mold problems.
How to Prepare Your Yard for Winter with Proper Drainage
There are various steps to prepare your yard with good drainage solutions all year long. If you are looking for personalized results, then talk to an experienced New Jersey drainage contractor to design a plan for your yard. Remember: proactively caring for your lawn during winter will help you maintain a beautiful and green lawn in the summer months.
Here are a few tips that every property owner should follow:
- Check the yard for low spots or areas where the water is pooling
- Make sure that all gutters and drainage pipes are clean and functioning properly
- Add dry wells or French drains if needed to help with water flow
- Before the ground freezes, aerate the soil – these small holes can help with the air-water balance in the soil
- Trim the trees and shrubs to reduce the risk of branches breaking under the weight of the snow
- Use gravel or mulch as needed to stop soil erosion
- Grade the lot effectively so that water runs away from your foundation
Tips on Maintaining Your Drainage Systems to Prevent Damage
Once your drainage system is in place, there are certain maintenance steps that should be followed to ensure that everything is working optimally. Your New Jersey drainage contractor will offer recommendations based on the specific type of drainage system you are using.
Some of these maintenance tips include:
- Regular gutter cleaning and inspections. Ensure that both the gutters and downspouts are functioning and free of any debris that might block water flow.
- Check all drainage pipes to see if you can find any signs of blockages, leaks, or cracks. If you notice these issues, then they should be repaired as soon as possible.
- Test the function of your sump pumps, especially before the snow starts melting.
- All overhead tree branches should be trimmed to keep leaves and broken branches out of your drainage systems. Make sure to prepare tree trunks and thin-barked trees because they can be more vulnerable in the winter months. For example, you might choose to wrap the tree for protection.
- During heavy weather conditions, keep an eye on your yard to watch for any water pooling or signs of drainage issues.
- Spend some time on lawn care before the ground freezes. You’ll want to winterize the sprinkler system and cut the lawn to the ideal length before it snows.
If you notice any problems with your drainage systems, then these issues should be repaired as soon as possible. A proactive approach to maintenance and repairs can save you a lot of headaches and expensive renovations in the future. Our team is here to help with anything that you need, ensuring that your drainage systems are always in the best condition.
Speak With a New Jersey Drainage Contractor
Are you ready to hire a New Jersey drainage contractor? Professional advice is critical to protecting your property and maintaining quality every step of the way. Our team understands the local weather conditions and we offer the best solutions that will work for water and drainage management throughout the year.
There’s no doubt that hiring a professional contractor is worth the investment. You can relax knowing that the experts are on the job. These projects can be quite time-consuming, which is why it’s best to hire a skilled team instead of attempting a DIY project.
For more information about the best services for your property, reach out to our team at Mikula. We offer full-service solutions to help with drainage systems, excavation, sloping, and more. Call us at your convenience to discuss your upcoming residential drainage project.
Mikula Contracting: Your Community Contractors During COVID-19
We at Mikula Contracting, Inc. want to wish our clients, friends, families, and neighbors well amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 21, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 107 into effect, “directing all residents to stay at home until further notice.” Governor Murphy highlighted that the order provides certain exceptions for “essential” business. The list of essential businesses includes supermarkets, pharmacies, liquor stores, banks, and contracting businesses.
With construction work still able to proceed, we would like to underscore that the entire team of professionals at Mikula Contracting, Inc. are expertly trained and taking extreme precautions throughout this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Gloves, masks, sanitizer, and soap are readily available to our crew of employees so we can ensure that no one is accidentally coming into contact with this virus.
No Person-to-Person Contact
All of the services offered by Mikula Contracting, Inc. can be performed without person-to-person contact, so we are able to follow the government’s social distancing guidelines. We’ve taken precautions to eliminate all direct physical contact with our clients to ensure everyone’s safety.
In addition to no direct contact, we can assure all of our clients that all of our trucks and equipment are clean and sanitized. We understand the danger of this pandemic and we’re taking it seriously. We will continue to take extreme precautions throughout this ongoing pandemic.
Contractor Support
We’re here for all of our clients during these unprecedented times. We want everyone to remain safe and healthy through this pandemic. At Mikula Contracting, Inc. we’re here to support you in whatever way we can. If you’re stuck at home, trying to tackle a project only to realize that you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, why not reach out to Mikula Contracting?
Excavation
COVID-19 doesn’t have to halt your excavation plans. We are thrilled to be able to continue to offer clients our environmentally friendly excavation services. We’re dedicated to completing your job in the most environmentally cautious and safe way possible. We’re proud of our New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection License.
Oil Tank Scan and Removal
If your home’s underground oil tank begins leaking and you wait until this pandemic is over to resolve that issue, you could very well find your property saturated with oil. Instead, call Mikula Contracting, Inc. and we’ll be able to perform an underground oil tank removal that will give you peace of mind.
We can perform the entire process from our equipment, so there’s no need for person-to-person contact. If you’re unsure as to whether or not you have an oil tank buried underneath your property, we can perform an oil tank scan without any direct contact.
Demolition
COVID-19 doesn’t need to ruin your demolition plans. If you’ve been thinking about demolishing a garage, vacant space, or even a commercial building, reach out to the team at Mikula Contracting, Inc. We can handle the entire demolition project from a safe distance.
Drainage
Drainage issues cannot be left unresolved until the COVID-19 pandemic ends. If your water or draining systems are giving you problems, let us help you. Troubleshooting drainage issues is another job that we’re able to do without person-to-person contact, so there’s no need to wait on resolving your drainage problems.
Pool Installation or Removal
COVID-19 seemed to have caused all plans to momentarily cease. Now that we’re all following the newly enacted guidelines, you can once again start thinking about your backyard. It makes no difference whether you want your dream pool installed or your old pool removed. We can do it all with no direct contact, so this pandemic need not stop you.
Emergency Services
Mikula Contracting, Inc. is able to continue offering our emergency services during this time.
If you notice that your septic tank or sewage lines are leaking or clogged, give us a call. We understand that an emergency sewer job is extremely time sensitive, and the coronavirus will not stop us from completing your job!
While this pandemic can be considered a disaster in and of itself, there are other disasters that could simultaneously strike. Fires, storms, and even natural disasters could leave you in need of immediate demolition. If you’re in need of emergency contracting services, let Mikula Contracting, Inc. help!
Dedicated to Serving the Community
The entire team at Mikula Contracting, Inc. is honored to be able to continue to serve our New Jersey community during this pandemic. We are taking all necessary precautions and following all guidelines to ensure the safety of our clients and our staff.
Whether you’re a homeowner, business leader, environmental firm, or property owner, you can count on Mikula Contracting, Inc. to serve you. With over 70 years of experience, we are dedicated to helping our community through good times and bad. Reach out today for additional information.
3 Ways Your Small Business Can Go Green
Your business may be small, but going green is the biggest and best move it can make. Discover some sound changes that can make a huge difference to the environment and your bottom line.
One of Mikula Contracting's core values is that we care how we affect our customers, our community, and our world. We believe eco-friendly business principals are more necessary now than ever, not just in our line of work but for every business in America. And we believe businesses that embrace those principals will excel today and in the years to come.
Businesses that run sustainable enterprises will outperform those who don’t as global consumer attitudes toward green issues change. Your customers care about your environmental impact, they’re going to care more in years to come, and the green practices you implement today will help grow your loyal customer base tomorrow.
Every business should take steps to reduce their negative impact, regardless of operating size. It’s a common mistake for smaller businesses to think only the “big boys” are doing any real environmental damage. In truth, small businesses can make a massive difference by going green because the U.S. has such a huge number of them — 30.2 million small businesses at last count. That’s 99.9% of American businesses!
If you’re a small business owner, here are three tips you can use to help save money, New Jersey, and the world.
Go green with your power and appliances
Small businesses often burn the midnight oil to compete, but we all know it isn’t oil we use these days. Businesses can save money and the environment by switching to LED bulbs or CFL lighting. These energy savings can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars for every green bulb in use.
Any appliance displaying the Energy Star label gives business owners a heads-up on how much energy the device will consume over time. This allows for better long-term budgeting and greater control over those utility bills, freeing up more cash per year to grow the business.
Energy audits are another good way to find out how much it costs to power your business. If you’re a New Jersey business in the right sector, the state will perform an energy audit and cover 100 percent of the expenses. Even if you don’t qualify for that deduction, every NJ business should investigate all the energy-saving incentives to optimize its bottom line.
Boost your biodegradables
If you’re in the packing business, biodegradable packaging should be part of your business model. If you’re not, support the companies who do pack in a green way. Small businesses can also do away with plastic cups and cutlery and replace them with the many available alternatives. All that business paperwork could be going onto recycled paper which eases global energy strains by 45 percent and cuts waste by 50 percent.
Businesses can go one better than biodegradable by skipping paper entirely and relying on digital communications and stored data. Every business should recycle plastics and paper wherever possible as well as stay well informed on New Jersey’s recycling rules. Recycling saves money for everybody in the community.
The cleaning products used on business premises can also play a big part in polluting that property and the ecosystem around it. Choosing cleaning agents responsibly will help your company truly going green. If your business soaps down vehicles onsite, hoses oil spills from parking lots, or simply throws the floor suds out the back door, think twice. This could be causing serious damage to the soil.
Understand the importance of soil remediation
This is a process used to treat soils contaminated by heavy metals or other pollutants by removing and converting them into less harmful products. It’s a common hazard for both New Jersey commercial and residential properties due to the presence of old underground heating oil tanks. A cleanup could cost a small business upwards of $130,000.
New Jersey is also prone to flooding, which can strip away the topsoil around a business. Without that layer, the ground is left wide open to greater damage from pollutants and vulnerable to further floods. Excavation work can also produce 70 percent of harmful particulate matter in urban areas, making it important for small businesses to work with responsible contractors.
Small businesses must ensure they’re complying with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its rigorous standards. EPA compliance is crucial because the fines are steep:
- For negligent violations: 1 year in prison and/or $2,500 - $25,000 per day. Subsequent convictions increase to 2 years and/or $50,000 per day.
- For knowing violations: 3 years in prison and/or $5,000 - $50,000 per day. Subsequent convictions increase to 6 years and/or $100,000 per day.
Small businesses must be especially careful with their finances and reputation. It’s vital they hire a contractor with the credentials and caring attitude needed for green digs.
At Mikula Contracting, we have all the right EPA qualifications plus over 70 years of experience in the industry. We work alongside New Jersey’s foremost environmental firms to serve your soil remediation needs and make sure your shift toward a greener operating model saves you as much money as possible.
Mikula Contracting, Inc., provides commercial and residential customers with a wide range of excavation, demolition, environmental, trucking, and soil services. For more information, call 973-772-1684 or email info@mikulainc.com
Commercial Property Drainage
Why it’s important
Talent, planning and insurance are all very important to your commercial business. However, while you are focusing on the big things, it’s vital that you not ignore the little things in the process. One such matter might be the importance of commercial property drainage.
Your commercial property is likely your company’s largest asset. It’s vital to protect it from harsh weather, accidental damage and commercial property drainage issues. Whether you are a CEO, property manager or maintenance manager, it’s likely that this responsibility falls on your shoulders. Learn how and why it’s important
The most common commercial property drainage problems
Water can be a powerful force. It has created some of the most amazing wonders on our planet, such as the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and the Stone Forest of China. This same power for beauty can also wreak havoc on your commercial property if its drainage is not handled properly. The most common problems include:
Clogged gutters, storm drains and downspouts
When the water cannot drain from your commercial roof, it sits there with nowhere to go. This can generate a multitude of problems, such as mold growth, mosquito and insect breeding grounds and deterioration of roofing materials. Often, the culprit is leave, dirt and debris that block the water flow. Tree roots can also be a factor. These must be regularly cleared and maintained.
Landscaping that impedes water flow
You may think that constructing a beautiful flower bed or outdoor leisure space will make your commercial property more attractive and enjoyable. This may be true, unless it interferes with the flow of water away from your building. Ultimately, anything that keeps water from flowing naturally will cause it to puddle somewhere. The cause is typically improper planning.
Grading dilemmas
It could be that it was improperly graded in the first place. You may have purchased a property and inherited a grading problem. Either way, incorrect grading can cause water to become trapped in a certain area or direct it toward your building.
Damage or disrepair of roofing materials
Factors like ineffective flashings, broken pipes and missing tiles or shingles can be the source of many drainage problems. If they are not performing effectively, it can cause water to drain into your building instead of off and away from it.
Runoff from surrounding properties
Sometimes, your commercial drainage problem may not be your fault at all, but caused by your neighbors. This can be especially problematic if your property is located downhill from other properties. Still, while not your fault, it is your problem and must be handled to prevent damage to your building and commercial property.
How do you know when your commercial property has drainage issues?
To the untrained eye, drainage problems can seem minor and insignificant. However, over time, they can lead to big headaches, such as wood rot, mold, and foundation weakening. Therefore, it’s important to know the signs and stop potential difficulties before they become worse.
Ponding water is a key indication of a problem. This can be found on your commercial roof, on sidewalks and in the parking area. During cold weather, this can freeze and cause falls, slips and risk of lawsuits. All that excess water could also damage your landscape and even kill grass and plants.
Soggy grass can also spell trouble. This may be seen in any grassy areas around your commercial property. While this might be trivial if it occurs only occasionally during a hard rain, it’s a huge issue when it happens all the time.
Erosion problems are a sure sign of drainage danger. You might notice it mainly on hills or inclines. It could also be visible from exposed roots on trees and plants. This condition poses a hazard for a landslide or risk to the structural integrity of your building.
Water in unexpected places in your building is a clear signal of a drainage problem. For example, you may have water in your basement, leaks in your ceiling or ice buildup on the walkways.
Look for cracks in the foundation that continue to widen as well. This may mean that water is seeping through, which can not only cause basement flooding, but can also weaken your foundation over time.
What to do about commercial property drainage trouble
Redirect the water flow – in some cases, commercial drainage problems are caused by topography and excess precipitation. You can add downspouts, landscape features or French drains to help route the water away from your foundation. Even something as simple as rocks or gravel may solve the problem.
Carefully monitor drainage – when it rains or snows, you should check that the water is draining properly. You may want to schedule an inspection with a top quality contractor to catch potential trouble spots. Just because you have not experienced a costly issue yet doesn’t mean you won’t. Some drainage problems occur slowly over time so it’s important to keep an eye on small issues so they don’t become expensive hassles.
Call the experts – a trained, experienced contractor can assess your commercial drainage issues and develop a unique and permanent solution for your property, but not just any solution. Our skilled and dedicated staff will use the right tools, materials and knowledge to get your commercial property in top shape. We will also help you create a customized storm management and drainage plan to prevent problems in the future. Don’t count on unqualified, unproven contractors with something this important. They will only leave you with a worse problem than you started with.
For demolition, disposal, and drainage concerns, you can trust Mikula Contracting. We can perform an onsite audit to examine your commercial property to fix your issues, conserve water and reduce your maintenance time, all to save you money and make your property more attractive. We have the talent, capability and capacity to handle even your toughest drainage matters. Drainage solutions, erosion control and water management are just some of the services we offer. We service Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, Union and Morris counties. Call today for a fast quote.
