FAQS About PowerVac of Michigan
FAQs About Jet/Vac Services
Jet/vac services utilize high-pressure water jets and powerful vacuum systems to clean and clear sewer lines, storm drains, and culverts, effectively removing blockages, debris, and sediment.
A high-pressure water jet is inserted into a blocked or dirty pipe. The water pressure breaks apart blockages and scours the pipe walls clean. The resulting debris is then sucked up by a vacuum hose and removed from the site.
Benefits include thorough cleaning results, reduced risk of pipe damage compared to mechanical methods, prevention of potential blockages, and overall enhanced longevity of drainage systems.
Jet/vac services can remove all types of blockages including tree roots, grease buildup, sand, silt, and other debris that can accumulate in sewer lines and storm drains.
Cleaning frequency depends on the location and usage, but typically, storm drains should be cleaned at least annually to prevent blockages and ensure efficient stormwater drainage.
Signs include recurring drain blockages, slow drainage, bad odors emanating from drains, and water backflow. Regular inspections can help identify when jet/vac services are necessary.
FAQs About Hydro Excavation
Hydro excavation is a non-mechanical, non-destructive process that uses pressurized water and an industrial-strength vacuum to simultaneously excavate and evacuate soil. This method allows for precise digging without the risk of damaging underground utilities.
Unlike traditional excavation methods that rely on heavy machinery or manual digging, hydro excavation uses water to soften the soil, making it easier to remove. This reduces the risk of damage to underground pipes, cables, and other utilities, ensuring a safer excavation process.
The benefits include increased safety due to reduced risk of utility damage, greater precision in excavation, minimized disruption to surrounding areas, and a faster cleanup process compared to conventional methods.
Yes, hydro excavation can be effectively used in a variety of soil types, from clay to sand. The pressure of the water can be adjusted to suit different soil conditions, making it a versatile solution for most excavation needs.
Common applications include potholing or daylighting (exposing underground utilities for inspection), slot trenching (narrow trenches for utility installation), debris removal, exposing existing utility lines for repair or upgrade, and cold-weather digging, as the water can be heated to cut through frozen ground.
Yes, hydro excavation can be performed in cold weather. The water used for excavation can be heated, allowing it to cut through frozen ground without the need for additional thawing methods.
FAQs About Mechanical Services
A standard HVAC service includes inspection of the entire system, cleaning of the air filters and coils, checking refrigerant levels, testing the thermostat accuracy, and ensuring all electrical connections are secure. It also involves evaluating the system’s performance to identify any necessary repairs or adjustments.
It’s recommended to have your HVAC system serviced annually. Regular maintenance helps ensure efficient operation, extends the lifespan of the equipment, and can prevent costly repairs down the line.
Yes, neglecting HVAC maintenance can lead to the buildup of dust, mold, and other pollutants in your system, which can then be circulated throughout your home, potentially affecting indoor air quality and health.
Boiler service typically involves checking the boiler and its components for wear and tear, cleaning parts as needed, inspecting the flue and ventilation, testing safety devices and controls, and ensuring the system operates efficiently without leaks or dangerous emissions.
Refrigeration service includes checking and cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils, testing the thermostat, inspecting door seals and gaskets for leaks, verifying the proper operation of the defrost, electrical, and lighting systems, and assessing refrigerant levels.
Signs include fluctuating temperatures, frost buildup inside the unit, unusual noises, increased energy consumption, and visible water leaks. If you observe any of these, it’s advisable to seek professional service promptly.
FAQs About Plumbing Services
Odors occur when the traps dry up. Pour water down drains that emit odor to refill the trap and lock out the odor. Flush toilets regularly to prevent odor buildup. Turn on the bathroom fan when using the toilet to ventilate the room.
Hot water heaters are typically good for 10 years or more. Older units will need a professional inspection to assess the situation. Then, we can help you review your options. Replacement is the easiest solution in most cases, given the energy efficiency of modern systems. However, a broken heating element or sensor can simply be the cause of your system not working correctly.
A cleanout is a pipe opening connected to your sewer line for access to clean the piping with the proper sewer machine cable. It may be located on the ground, on a wall, or under a counter.
A pipeline inspection is commonly used to verify the condition of a pipe and diagnose an ongoing issue with a sewer system. The inspection is performed with a sewer camera that enables the plumber to see and make a video recording of any cracks, leaks, or obstructions within a pipe.
Local ordinances require that each backflow prevention assembly be tested and certified upon installation. It is mandatory that you have a licensed cross-connection control device inspector test and certify your backflow assembly annually. Backflow prevention devices are commonly found on fire sprinkler systems, domestic water supplies, irrigation systems, dental equipment, boiler systems, and more.
Water main breaks usually result from external corrosion of the pipe. Extreme weather changes can cause the ground to swell and contract, placing excessive pressure on the water mains, and causing a weakened pipe to burst.
FAQs About Electrical Services
- Use of non-brand-named bulbs.
- Larger wattage bulbs can cause excessive heat build-up, shortening the life of the bulb.
- Power surges.
Flickering may indicate impending bulb failure, minor power fluctuation, or improperly installed bulbs. Cycling on and off is usually a clear indication of ballast or bulb failure. It is recommended to replace bulbs when replacing a ballast.
Except for ground fault interrupters, which are susceptible to moisture and weather conditions, fuses and circuit breakers should not trip. Check to see if some appliance is causing the problem or contact our certified electricians for help.
Disconnect any additional devices that may have caused the breaker to overload and trip. Breakers are mechanical devices. They must be turned off before being turned back on. If this fails to reset the breaker, there may be a more serious problem.
GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. This device protects one from electrical shock. When it senses the slightest increase in resistance resulting from ground fault, it turns off to protect you.
Both devices are designed to trip in the event of an electrical overload. For example, 20 Amps of electrical load on a 15 Amp circuit would cause a trip. The only difference is that a breaker is mechanical and may be reset. On the other hand, a fuse only works one time and must be replaced.
FAQs About Grease Trap Services
A grease trap or grease interceptor is a receptacle located between the restaurant drain lines and the sanitary sewer lines that allow for the separation and collection of fats, oils, and greases (FOG) from the used water, preventing such materials from entering the municipal sewer system.
FOG wreaks havoc on municipal wastewater systems, which is why local governments require commercial kitchens to install a grease trap. Most municipalities will have a minimum amount of FOG that is acceptable in the water leaving an establishment. If these minimums are exceeded, fines can be imposed.
Grease traps slow down the flow of water from drains, allowing the water and grease time to cool. This cooling causes the grease to coagulate and float to the top, while other heavier solids fall to the bottom of the trap. The remaining water is free to pass through to the city sewer lines.
Proper grease trap maintenance is crucial for an efficiently operating grease trap. Many problems can occur if the levels of collected FOG and solids are not monitored. Problems such as drain line blockages and back-ups, foul odors, and even worse, too much FOG being deposited into the city sewer lines, can occur and lead to fines.
Depending on the size, there are different ways of cleaning the grease trap. Many state and local governments have ordinances requiring that a grease trap be pumped out every so often, so it is important to first check with the local municipalities to determine this particular criteria. However, aside from any mandatory pump-outs that may be required, other methods of cleaning a grease trap should be considered such as jet/vac cleaning.
When faced with a slow or clogged sink, don’t run hot water, detergents, or degreasers down the drain. This only moves a FOG clog farther downstream, affecting more of your neighbors. It also keeps your grease trap or interceptor from operating effectively. Regular maintenance and physical or mechanical cleaning are the required best management practices.
Many companies market biological additives that claim to treat FOG and reduce maintenance costs. Some products contain micro-organisms that consume the FOG when added to floor drains, grease traps, or interceptors.
While suitable for use to keep under-floor drain lines clear, using these products in grease traps and interceptors can result in pass-through and interfere with the normal operation of the grease abatement device. If city inspectors find a problem, the restaurant owner will be liable, not the bio-additive vendor.
Water main breaks usually result from external corrosion of the pipe. Extreme weather changes can cause the ground to swell and contract, placing excessive pressure on the water mains, and causing a weakened pipe to burst.
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