Finding that Leaking Lead Pipe!

One of our clients contacted us after they had given in with other experts who had tried to find there leaking lead water pipe.  The pipe had been leaking for years filling there cellar with water which had to be constantly pumped out.  They knew the pipe ran beneath the block paving, gravel drive and probably a tarmac road before it got to the water main at the road.  We took on the challenge of tracing it back and locating it so we could put a stop to all the water leaking.  With the aid of a cat scan and a trusty JCB we carefully dug our way back to locate it and then follow it finding electricity various sewer mains and a gas pipe along the way.

We located the lead pipe hammered it shut temporarily before Anglia water are going to dig up the road to do it permanently!

All the block paving is going back down so we can leave everything as we found it just a bit dryer!!

Preparing for the Mowing Season

We are looking to have the most grass areas to cut this year so we have invested in a new mower to ensure we can get every where done reliably and efficiently.  We have selected a new zero turn John Deere Mower which should increase our efficiency and mean we can get the job done quickly but to the high standards are clients require.  As you can see in the picture Norman was soon in the driving seat to see what the new machine would achieve compared to the old model!

We got the machine from Simon at Peterborough Grass Machinery, www.pgmltd.com, who helped us out getting it just in time for our first cut which we are planning next week!

Snow Clearing Peterborough Hospital

The snow came down again and we were out there shoveling the white stuff again keeping the main Hospitals in Peterborough clear so the patients and staff could get to work safely.

This year as well as man power we had the a John Deere Telescopic Handler with specialist snow blade, a JCB digger working on the roads and car parks.  We then used a John Deere compact tractor with front loader to keep the paths clear.

We kept all the main service roads passable as the snow was coming down and managed to get all the main service roads clear by 8am the next morning!  

With heavy snow forecast again for tomorrow we are busy replenishing the salt stocks and keeping the machines and drivers ready to clear the white stuff should we get another good dollop!

Leyland Screening

Upon request of our client we have planted 25 leyland trees which are already approximately 6 feet high.  The purpose of these trees is to grow quickly and provide an evergreen screen of the busy major road and services.

Leyland are usually not our preferred choice, and we usually spend more of our time cutting them down, however in this situation they serve the purpose as they grow fast and tall.  The area planted was very much waste ground so we initially litter picked the area then cut the grass back to make the planting easier.  we planted 25 leyland grown in 10 litre pots sourced by us direct from the grower.   The plants where then planted and supported with a machine round stake and super soft tree tie.  These trees grow very quickly so good support is essential until they have established.  We then used a mulch mat to suppress weeds around the base of the trees and covered this with a layer of bark mulch to help retain water and suppress the weeds even further.  The trees were protected with rabbit guards to prevent the juvenile bark form being eaten by pesky rabbits.

We recommend that the competing vegetation is kept controlled with the use of a chemical herbicide in April and August and the plants are monitored to see if watering is required to ensure establishment.

Watering and weed control are all services we provide if our clients don't have there own team qualified to undertake spraying!

Salting and Gritting 2012

That time of year has come around again and we have been in full force out there with the teams keeping car parks, roads and paths clear of slippery ice.

The winter has not been as cold as forecasters first predicted but that does not mean we have not been out there keeping those surfaces safe.  We have been out on numerous occasions this winter as it is worth remembering the ground temperature does not have to be 0 degrees to get a frost on those expsoed surfaces.  If you have an air temperature of -3 and a ground temperature of 2 degrees there is the chance you can have ice forming on exposed surfaces.  Take a look at when your window screen freeze's and what the forecasters are predicting!

Making that call on when to grit can be a difficult one and we monitor the forecasts from several sources along with our experience before making that call on weather to send the teams!  Having us monitor the weather means our clients don't have to be up at 2am in the morning asking us to come!

We have kept our equipment up to date this year with a new salt spreader and compact tractor dedicated to one of our largest sites.  This also has the added advantage of being able to attach a front loader in 5 minutes to  help in the snow clearing should we get any in the coming months.  It may be mild but winter is by no means over yet!

If you need any help keeping your surfaces gritted please just give us a call!

Willow Tree Pollarding

Scott was complaining that there has not been anything recently on the Blog and I think secretly he wanted everyone to see what he had been up to! 

Yesterdays on a frosty December morning was a brilliant day to go and pollard this willow tree.  This is atleast the third time this willow tree has been pollarded, last done about 4 years ago.  Some of the regrowth measured over 6 inches in diameter!

After everything was cut back avoiding the slate roof and power cables we loaded everything onto our truck and took it down to the local recycling center where it will be chipped and turned into compost.

Willow trees come back extremely quickly and this one is no exception so within 4 years the regrowth will be back over the house again!

Tree Planting Container Grown Trees

The time of year has come to get those trees and shrubs planted and we have started this week by planting some large Sliver Birch Trees.  Sadly the lorry unloading the trees could not get as close to the planting site so our trusty wheel barrow came into action with Paul and Dan getting these trees to where they needed to be!

We are planting some large container grown trees with a 14-16cm girth. We will be preparing the soils planting the trees and making sure they are suitably staked.  We will then be coming back next year to ensure with good maintenance they establish and start growing to give some instant impact to the site.

If you could do with some big trees like these get in touch!