Free Flow PA, Inc

Poor installation leads to problems

pekasus — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:48:46 +0000

This line was installed without proper bedding and too close to foundation.

Sewer Odor From Floor Drains

pekasus — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 03:41:12 +0000

The first thing to do when you notice a sewer odor or musty smell in the house is check for empty floor drains. If a floor drain isn’t used often, it can dry out and provide a direct path for sewer gas to enter the house. There are two ways to deal with this:

Pour water down the drain every week.
Pour a liquid seal, like GreenSeal, in the line so the water can’t evaporate.

In addition to floor drains, also check sinks, toilets, and showers that are not used regularly. Any fixture can dry out and let out sewer gas.

Maintaining Tankless Water Heaters

pekasus — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 02:51:39 +0000

Green Plumbing is a ‘tankless’ job

Tankless water heaters can easily outlive conventional units since they do not hold a tank full of water, which is the universal solvent and will eventually degrade any material. In order to maintain energy efficiency and enjoy a long life, tankless water heaters need to be serviced regularly for two things

To keep the filter clean and ensure proper water flow through the unit.
To remove buildup of lime and scale and maintain proper heat exchange to the water.

Manufacturers recommend service every 6 months to 2 years. Need for maintenance depends on chemical makeup of the water and usage. With that being said, most manufacturers recommend a more aggressive maintenance schedule than is necessary in order to cover themselves. They tend to be vague with the requirements, but it really should be done every few years. It really will make a difference both in your gas bill and the life of the unit.

Useful Links

Rinnai website - http://www.rinnai.us/tankless-water-heater/faq/#question-13

Takagi website FAQ - http://www.takagi.com/?p=faqs.php&page_id=27#How long will a tankless water heater last?

Cleaning Effluent Filters for Septic Tanks

pekasus — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 02:21:40 +0000

The effluent filter on a septic tank is designed to keep debris from clogging the drainfield and leading to problems. The purpose of the filter is not to trap the debris for removal, but rather to stop it from leaving the tank. Therefore, when cleaning the filter, you should simply hose it off over the tank and let the debris fall back in the tank.

Do not dispose of debris on the lawn as it is a safety hazard that can cause someone to get sick.

Maintaining a clean effluent filter will extend the life of your drainfield and can avoid costly repairs of a failed drainfield.

Here is a video showing the proper way to clean a filter:

Free Flow’s New Website

pekasus — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:53:27 +0000

Free Flow is proud to release it’s new website to celebrate it’s 30th year anniversary.