New Used Sewer Cleaning

Augusta bomb shelter in way

AUGUSTA -- A Cold War-era bomb shelter built by a local veteran to withstand nuclear attack won't survive a much more benign offensive: Augusta's upcoming sewer line replacement. In the 1950s, longtime Augusta resident and World War II tail gunner Donald Tuttle built both a home for his family and -- out back next to Bond Brook -- a bomb shelter meant to protect them at 180 Mount Vernon Ave.

At the time, Tuttle said, Americans were encouraged to build bomb shelters, for protection in case of Russian attack.

"The Cold War was going on, the Russians got the hydrogen bomb ... people built these (bomb shelters) all over the country," the affable, outspoken 86-year-old Tuttle said. "There was no permit to get. I just built it. They were encouraging people to build them."

The underground concrete shelter, which is entered through a backyard shed also made of concrete, is now in the way of an upcoming major sewer upgrade project by the Greater Augusta Utility District.

The $17.3 million project, starting this week, aims to prevent a combination of human waste and stormwater from overflowing into Bond Brook during rainstorms.

The project includes the replacement of an old sewer line running between Mount Vernon Avenue and Bond Brook with a new, larger sewer line.

The line and a manhole to access it is planned for about where the bomb shelter now resides.

Brian Tarbuck, general manager of the Greater Augusta Utility District, said the alignment of the pipe, and the close proximity of the home and other structures at 180 Mount Vernon Ave., and Bond Brook, require the pipe to go where the bomb shelter is now.

"It has to go," Tarbuck said of the bomb shelter. "We tried to move around it, we talked about it at length. But there really is nowhere else to go."

Tuttle, who now lives in an underground home he built in north Augusta, lived on Mount Vernon Avenue for some 27 years. His nephew, Norman Nadeau, owns the home with the bomb shelter now.

But Tuttle, who drove a concrete truck for 30 years after the military, would like to see the bomb shelter he built of concrete and donated rebar -- which he strapped to the bottom of his old Saab to take home -- remain.

"It's too bad they're going to tear it out," Tuttle said. "It's an icon. A Cold War icon. It seems like a waste."

The bomb shelter has vents for fresh air and had electricity running to it until Tuttle disconnected it because of a bad wiring. The underground part of the shelter has two rooms -- one about 10-by-12-feet, the other a bit smaller.

Plumber Los Angeles CA Useful Information on How to Handle Sewer ...

Any plumber Los Angeles CA should agree that sewer backups & backflows, as well as the damage they inflict, represent a serious cause of inconvenience and loss for property owners and communities. There are plenty of causes of a sewer backup. Causes may include sewer pipe hindrances in primary lines or lateral lines; these are generally lines running between properties and the main line, pipe breaks, roots that create breaks in pipes, old busted pipes, or construction blunders. Grease, as well as hair or solid garbage such as nappies or hygienic napkins, can be too much for the pipes to manage. A sewer backup is the outcome. If a sewer backup should happen, guard your home. It is wise to shut off all drain openings. No water ought to be used until an experienced plumbing technician has eliminated the sewer backup. When the sewer backup is extensive among neighbors, the utility department ought to be called without delay. A professional plumber can easily clear a sewer backup that is on your lateral line. When it is essential to call the utility division for the sewer backup, some information will probably be necessary. The location, home at risk and time of the sewer backup will probably be useful information. The city will determine whether the sewer backup is in the main line and clear it when possible. If the sewer backup is on the lateral line, an experienced plumbing technician must be called. Fixing the lateral line is the homeowner's responsibility. As a way to prevent property loss and damage, cleanup of the premise from the sewer backup should be immediate. Insurance plans generally will not pay for damage from sewer backups. A special rider is needed for this kind of plumbing issue. While this kind of rider is not usually expensive, it does need to be specifically requested from insurance providers. Absolutely nothing is a lot more disgusting than 4 to 6 inches of raw hygienic sewage in a cellar or crawl space. Often the reason for backup issues can be traced to tree roots which have invaded a sewer line. The tree roots are drawn to sewer lines while they constantly and randomly hunt for food and water resources. Here are a few helpful tips about how you can avoid sewer backups: Grease should not be put into your garbage disposer or drains. When it solidifies and accumulates it can be the primary reason for a sewer backup. Tend not to dispose of nappies, sanitary napkins or paper towels in your bathrooms. Not only could this cause a sewer backup, but these things can ruin your home's water system. Your neighborhood utility department can indicate where the lateral lines for your home are situated. Any large trees or shrubs roots might make pipes to break or invade the plumbing lines. Closely take a look at the landscaping on your home to prevent this kind of sewer backup. The lowest point of your house like your basement floor drain might be ruined by a sewer backup. The installation of a back flow valve may prevent a sewer backup from harming your property. Also, a plumber's test plug may be used to shut down any drains not being used.

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