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Newsletter
6,
Quote of the month
“Be
faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” Mother
Teresa
Special of the month: Mention this newsletter for a 50 cent per bag discount on Duracube salt. Offer valid for the month of October 2009. Cash and carry only.
Fall Maintenance - Winter Preparation
This last week of September has reminded me once again of the changes that are in store for us Ohioans in the next few months. The leaves are changing colors and starting to fall as well as the falling temperatures.
LEAVES - Not only do leaves collect on the ground and require cleanup in your yard, they can collect in your spouting. Once in the spouting they can clog the downspout drain that carries the rainwater off of the roof of your house. This allows excess water to collect around the foundation of the house and can lead to a wet basement.
Regular inspections and debris removal from your gutters, at this time of year, will reduce the possibility of this debris clogging your storm water drains.
COLD
- Due to the falling temperatures there are a few plumbing reminders that I
would like to bring to your attention:
1.
Remove hoses from outside faucets after each use.
Our temperatures are starting to drop to the freeezing point at night and
can freeze the outside faucet if a hose is connected.
2.
Winterize
irrigation systems.
Backflow preventers that are located outside need to be removed and
stored inside for the winter. Drain
water from irrigation systems.
3.
Insulatation
and plug in heat tape.
Some homes have piping that is exposed to the elements of winter.
It is time to start checking the condition of the heat tape and make sure
it is plugged in for the season. Also,
make sure the insulation around those pipes is in tact and in good condition.
1.
Inspect the flue venting.
Make sure it is securely connected and there are no openings that would
allow flue gasses into your home.
2.
Replace/ Clean furnace filter.
This is recommended in the
spring and the fall.
3.
Inspect burner assembly. Clean
any cob webs or dust and debris from the burner area.
4.
Check pressure
on boiler and look for leaks and/or corrosion on piping.
5.
Turn heat on and check to see that all zones
work properly.
I recommend doing this before actually needed so it can be repaired if
necessary and you don’t have to make an emergency call to your heating
contractor.
6. Turn on humidifier. Change/Clean humidifier pad
Bio-Clean
Drain Cleaner
How can such a small amount of
BIO-CLEAN be effective in plumbing?
There are millions and millions
of bacteria in each spoonful. Each one will eat its weight of waste every 60
seconds. They double in number every 30 minutes, and as they multiply they will
spread throughout the entire drain system.
Will it work on a clog?
If the material is biodegradable, yes. However, in most cases, the stoppage is
not caused by a blob of something in the trap. Most likely, it is several feet
of pipe that is filled with "gunk", and it may take several days for
the bacteria to eat through this long blockage. Therefore, it is suggested that
a mechanical cable be used to restore the flow. Then begin BIO-CLEAN
treatments to remove any remaining waste build-up. Regular maintenance
treatments will prevent new build-up.
How long will it take to see the
results?
Some people notice improvement in a day or two. Almost everyone will see results
in one to three weeks. Note: The cleaning process is not completed with the
initial five day treatment. The time is determined by the type of material the
build-up is comprised of (grease, soap, hair) and the length of the lines. Hair
takes the longest to digest.
Should the toilet be flushed after
pouring BIO-CLEAN into the bowl?
Do not flush for 6-8 hours. The quart of mixture poured into the bowl pushes one
quart of water and mixture out of the bowl into the stack. The enzymes and
bacteria carried out in the quart leaving the bowl are deposited on the gook
coating the pipe. In the following 6-8 hours they embed themselves in the gunk
so that when the toilet is next flushed they will not be flushed out.
Aren't chemical drain openers much
stronger than BIO-CLEAN ?
The strongest chemical in the world can't climb the side walls of horizontal
pipes. Gravity makes all chemicals run along the bottom. Nor can chemicals
remove much waste in vertical pipes because they flow through so quickly. The
bacteria in BIO-CLEAN are live and will go anywhere there is food. They
will remove the gunk chemicals leave behind.
Does BIO-CLEAN contain any acid, lye,
solvents, perfume or poisonous substances?
No.
Will BIO-CLEAN attack tree roots?
Only roots that are completely dead. Roots enter sewer pipes seeking the rich
organic food supplied by the build-up. As roots feed on the waste they grow,
branch out and eventually restrict flow. Periodic use of enough BIO-CLEAN
and water to reach the root area will eliminate the waste they seek. In this
manner, the use of BIO-CLEAN discourages root growth in sewers.
Can BIO-CLEAN really help a septic
system?
Absolutely- in several ways. The bacteria in BIO-CLEAN are specially
selected to digest a larger variety of waste, and metabolize it faster than
naturally occurring bacteria or yeast additives. Oils, fats, grease and paper
are very difficult for intestinal bacteria to handle. BIO-CLEAN is very
effective on these materials. It increases solids destruction, so fewer pumpings
are needed and that means money saved.
More complete digestion also means fewer undigested solids leaving the tank.
These solids would otherwise form a black gooey accumulation in the leach field
and prevent water absorption by the soil. Therefore, BIO-CLEAN extends
the life of a leach field.
Are any chemicals incompatible with
septic systems?
Yes. Chlorine, germicidal products, anti-septics, sanitizers, chemical drain
openers, paint, lye, acids, cationic surfactants and food preservatives. And in
general, anything that is inorganic (not biodegradable).
Does a garbage disposal and/or automatic
dishwasher affect a septic system?
Yes-in two ways. Disposals add greater loads. Without frequent BIO-CLEAN
treatments, faster accumulation of solids in the tank occurs. Most automatic
dishwashing compounds, either powder or gel, contain chlorine, which is damaging
to all biological activity. For the least overall problems, don't use the
disposal for material that could go into solid waste or be composted. Use
non-chlorinated, biodegradable dishwashing compound and treat regularly with BIO-CLEAN.
A complete list of recommended products is available from your authorized BIO-CLEAN
dealer.
Does BIO-CLEAN stop odors?
Yes, by digesting the waste which is the source of odor.
Does BIO-CLEAN digest hair?
Yes. However, it does take much longer than most any other organic material. In
drains, soap scum, skin oils, etc. bond hair to pipe surfaces. BIO-CLEAN
digests these other materials more quickly, which releases the hair to wash
downstream.
How does BIO-CLEAN compare with liquid
biological products?
BIO-CLEAN is more concentrated, more uniform, more stable (longer shelf
life) and more economical. Liquids depend upon preservatives to keep the
bacteria dormant while in the bottle. Most have a high percent of surfactant to
emulsify oils and fats, not digest them. Enzymes in solution interact with each
other, which results in shorter shelf life and/or a single enzyme product.
Does BIO-CLEAN stop odors coming from a
cat litter pan?
Definitely. Best results can be obtained by washing and drying pan and then
sprinkling the bottom with BIO-CLEAN before adding new litter and coating
the top with BIO-CLEAN.
What is the shelf life of BIO-CLEAN ?
Several years if kept dry at normal temperature.
Environmentally, does BIO-CLEAN
help or hurt?
BIO-CLEAN is a great help and in no way hurts the ecology. The active
ingredients in BIO-CLEAN are enzymes and bacteria which speed up the
natural digestion of organic material. This is the only process that recycles
organic waste back to plant food. BIO-CLEAN is not harmful to pets or
marine life. It is so safe a child can apply it. Becuase its action is natural,
it enhances nature's ability to cope with man's pollution.
Deer-Vehicle
Accidents Increase in the Fall
Peak months for
deer-vehicle accidents, due to increased deer movement during the breeding
season, are October, November, and December. Stay alert and drive safely!
A message from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
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