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The Outdoor Living Blog

Bahler Brothers Blog

This blog addresses many of the questions, issues and design options for paver and wall installations.

Josh Bahler

Blog Feature

Water Feature

How often do I need to refill my water feature?

How often do I need to refill my water feature is a question with many variables and factors. Below are a few questions that you may first want to ask yourself. What type of water feature is it, Fountainscape, Pondless Waterfeature, or Eco System Pond? How big is the pond? How long is the streambed? How many waterfalls are there? What climate are you in? What time of year is it? Is your water feature on the north or south side of your house? Is it in shade or full sun all day? Do you have an AutoFill? All of these are valid questions to ask yourself and relate directly to the rate of evaporation. After a few months a water feature owner will begin to understand their own feature and the needs it has. Evaporation is a big factor when this question arises. The more waterfalls and the longer the streambed the more evaporation will occur.

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Blog Feature

Pavers  |  Rainwater Harvesting  |  Techo-Bloc  |  Water Feature

Rainwater Harvesting Systems

In todays society we need to conserve water. According to a Gallup poll in March 2008 Americans rated their level of worry about each of 12 environmental concerns, the top 4 all related to the quality of water. Harvesting rainwater is better all around for you, your children, grandchildren and the generations to come. A quality company who is the leading innovator of water features Aquascape, Inc. has designed a revolutionary system known as the RainXchange sytem. Harvesting rainwater helps to avoid strict watering schedules during droughts and reduce water bills. Recycled rainwater is also better for the plants in your yard because no chemicals are added to rainwater. The water feature created from the system enhances the yard and increases value. Tying the downspouts into the system will recycle the rain water which falls on the roof. One inch of rain on a 2,000 sf. house is the equalivent of 1,250 gallons of water. According to the DEP website, Connecticut recieves on average 45 inches of rain. Just in one year on one roof that is 2,000 sf, harvesting the rainwater from just the roof alone would recycle 56,250 gallons. Harvesting the rainwater that falls on the driveway by using a Permeable pavement system would increase the amount of gallons conserved. For a short video on the installation of a rainwater harvesting system click here. Use the RainXchange system to get up to 12 LEED points on a "Green Project". Related Articles: Permeable Pavers vs. Non-Permeable Pavers Advancements in Permeable Pavements Permeable Pavements Study

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Contractor Comparison Worksheet

Contractor Comparison Worksheet

Take the frustration out of comparing bids from different landscape contractors with our Contractor Comparison Checklist

Blog Feature

Driveways  |  Non Permeable Pavement  |  Patio  |  Pavers  |  Pool Patio  |  Rainwater Harvesting  |  Techo-Bloc  |  Unilock  |  Water Feature

Advancements in Permeable Pavements

Over the last 20 years we have seen major advancements in permeable pavements. The first permeable paver was introduced here in North America in 1989.

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Blog Feature

Driveways  |  Environmental Protection Agency  |  Pavers  |  Rainwater Harvesting

Permeable Pavements Study

The topic written about in this post is the effects of runoff water to the water supply and the “Eco-Friendly” permeable pavements. The article may be too technical for some but may be engaging for the engineering type.

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Blog Feature

Choosing a Contractor  |  Driveways  |  Pavers

The Benefits of Paver Driveways

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