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9.19.2011

Home Office

We have officially been in a home office for about a year now! It's been a while since I have been able to update the blog- but time management is still something to be mastered with having an almost 3 month old home/in office helping us answer phones.

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any tips out there from you working from home mommas- how do you do it?

6.16.2011

Schlomka Softball: 2011

Nothing can stop a team that is on fire; not hot weather and not the rainy weather!

We proudly sponsor the team; 'Schlomka Services'. They are an all men's softball team playing in a Men's Softball League of Lino Lakes, MN. In previous years the guys have also played in Champlin and Crystal, MN. The guys play every Tuesday night, double header games, starting at 6:15pm & 7:20pm.

{2011 jerseys thanks to Rick Wagner with Xtreme Custom Apparel & Promotions}

They started their season with the first game on April 26th and the last game is scheduled for July 12th. Only a couple of games have been rained out AND our guys are the sole undefeated team!

As a "team manager" I personally think they are the best team out there AND also the best team displaying a fun attitude, good sportsmanship and a GREAT mix of funny personalities.

These guys have all been friends since college {some even high school} and really enjoy the game- it's a fun and relaxed way to spend their Tuesday nights.

Below is a team photo really showing you just how much fun they have on Tuesday Nights: despite the occasional {once in 5 years} 100+ degree weather!


Keep up the good works guys!

If you are in the Lino area on Tuesday nights- stop by to cheer us on! We'd love to see you!

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Do you have any local sports teams and leagues that your company proudly sponsors?

6.08.2011

we got an "A"

If you are not apart of Angie's List yet, you should be! It's a GREAT tool, it's free and it provides the "looking & seeking" customer the opportunity to fill out a report, giving your company a letter grade based on your work and service provided to them.

Our latest report was submitted by a new and happy customer in North Oaks.

Here is what he had to say:

North Oaks requires septic service at least every two years.  I searched Angie's for providers and Schlomka matched one of the companies named by North Oaks.  They are very easy to deal with and showed up ahead of schedule.  It's the first time for the service as a new home owner, so we didn't know what to expect.  North Oaks requires a written report for which they charge $17 and is passed on to the customer.  Since there has been little use of the home while we undergo renovation, they did not have much to pump out, so I have no idea how the price might compare for fuller usage.

Went very well, as far as we know.  We were not on sight at the time Schlomkas was doing the work.  He called to make a report...not much to add to this

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So as you can see it's to the point, he was happy with the service that we provided and we hope to hang onto him as another Schlomka customer in the future!

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In what ways are you able to receive positive feedback and or constructive criticism from your customers?

4.26.2011

Ending Dates Posted for SLR

Per The Minnesota Department of Transportation

The ENDING DATE of Spring Load Restrictions in the SOUTHEAST and METRO FROST ZONES will be Monday, May 2, 2011 at 12:01 AM.

The ENDING DATE of Spring Load Restrictions in the SOUTH FROST ZONE will be Monday, May 9, 2011 at 12:01 AM.

The ENDING DATE of Spring Load Restrictions in the CENTRAL FROST ZONE will be Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 12:01 AM.

The ENDING DATE of Spring Load Restrictions in the NORTH-CENTRAL and NORTH FROST ZONES will be Friday, May 13, 2011 at 12:01 AM.

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Which zone are you in? Happy Spring Pumping!

2.21.2011

Marian of St. Paul: Wine Classic

This month I attended Marian of St. Paul's 2nd Annual Wine Classic. Jamie 'Schlomka' Mann, has worked with Marian for almost five years. She is the reason we were able to get in on this fun event.


Schlomka Services was able to donate a portion of the sponsorship, and in return we received two event tickets. Our support in this event will go towards the enhancement of programs and services provided to the residents and participating elders of Marian. It was really fun stopping by the Elder's Wish Table- which showcased a variety of large wine glasses, each containing an item that the residents of Marian would like to utilize. These items ranged anywhere from iPods and TVs to folding tables and docking stations.


At the event guests were able to enjoy all kinds of delicious appetizers and five different tables with 20+ plus; red wines, white wines and dessert wines. Marian's event partner, where all of the wine can be found, was St. Paul's Morelli's Market.

While sipping and tasting it was fun walking around the event, meeting other guests, browsing the decor and the silent auction where many other generous donations were made.

All in all it was a great event, we were happy to be apart of it and hopefully it's something that we can look forward to again next year!

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What events does your company take part in as far sponsorships year after year?

1.21.2011

Septic in the Winter, what to do?

The question is "what to do?" well... our answer can be as simple as "nothing!"

As long as you have done your part in taking care of proper maintenance as far as regular scheduled clean outs at least every three years AND made sure to send proper waste down your drains, you should be good to go!

A couple of good tips for the Winter:
  • Keep your tank covers and the systems covered with the natural snowfall- snow acts as a natural insulator that can help to prevent system freeze ups.
  • Never leave a system for months on end with no water use- be sure to take care of the cleaning and getting the tank(s) filled back up and prepared for the cold months ahead.
  • Keep your favorite pumpers number on hand {that would be us, Schlomkas!}. Just so that, in case of an emergency, you know who to call. If your call is not answered in your time of need, there is always a 24/7 emergency number provided for you at the end of our voice mail.
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Have you done your part for the Winter months in taking care of your septic?

Winter Season Comes a Callin'

A day like today has us inspired. It's been a while since our last post, so we thought it would be a great time to get updated. The Winter season gets to be a little bit slower on our end, so we are always looking for things to keep us busy.

With cold and frigid temps our residential work will slow up, minus the unexpected and unwanted backups that can occur here and there.

We also have a few homes where drainfields aren't up to par and have to work overtime- which causes for slowing moving systems and frequent pumping until Spring moves in.

But before we know it, Spring will be here and we will be back to work in full swing. In the meantime, our period of down time is spent taking care of our everyday commercial customers and a little bit of "Winter Cleaning".

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What keeps your business going during the slow months?

11.30.2010

Garbage Disposals & Septic

My recent actions and a story, call for a good update...

The other day as I was making breakfast {pancakes} my husband- who is one of Schlomka's driver/operators wasn't very happy with me as he was witness to me putting egg shells down the garbage disposal.

I was instantly ashamed as I tell people on a daily basis "limit the use of your disposal." and "put nothing foreign down drains that will end up in your system."

ok, I know all of this, but I figure- "I work for a septic company, if anything goes wrong we can handle it."

ehhhhhhhhh wrong answer!!!

Our conversation went like so:


Me: "but i have heard that the egg shells sharpen the blades..."
The Mr: "no.... no no no.... egg shells float, which means they are twice as likely to float right out into the drainfield, plugging things up..."


Maybe now would be a good time for me to brush up on my septic knowledge: www.septic.umn.edu

ok so lesson learned here, although we might be a septic company- we are not an excavating company which is what we would need if my eggs shells were to wreak havoc to the the drainfield system. doh!

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What have you recently learned about your septic system as far as the dos & don'ts?

11.09.2010

Help!

One of our biggest customers was in need of some help ASAP last night- and with the early evening call, we were willing and able to get there and be there for this one.

Last night ours guys worked 12+ hours and into the early morning to help with a sewer line break that was leaking and creating a steady flow into Lake Minnetonka over in Excelsior, MN.

Here is a video link via Fox 9 News: click {here} check it out. You can hear and read more about the story. Sounds like everything is under control at this point. Our trucks pulled off site around 6am this morning.

To our crew; Thank you for all of your energy and helping out last night and this morning! That is exactly why I am happy to be apart of such a great company!

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What has been one of your companies greatest acts of kindness, recent or past?

9.23.2010

* GREAT reminder

With all this rain, it just might be a good idea to re-read a post from this summer:

"In a Time of Heavy Rainfall"

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Does the rain effect your business in a negative or positive way?