August 2015 - W.P. Law Incorporated

Why would I want to use a recirculating water pump system?

Posted on August 27, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

Find out if this is the right choice for your business.

showerhead

A recirculating water pump system is designed so that hot water is readily available to users. It collects and recycles the water so that water wastage is reduced and user comfort is increased. With these benefits in mind, using a recirculating water pump system in a commercial setting, such as a hotel or office building, makes perfect sense.

Added Benefits to Using a Recirculating Water Pump System

On average a person will send between two to three gallons of water down the drain as they wait for the water to warm up. This wasted water can add up to thousands of gallons per person, per year. If you were to multiply this over the number of showers taken in a hotel during a year, the number would quickly rise to the millions. Water is also wasted when individuals wait for hot water to reach the sink’s taps. In this vein, without a recirculating water pump system, millions of gallons of water are being sent down the drain, which equates to countless dollars being spent on wasted water.

A typical plumbing solution is designed to pump water from the water heater up through the pipes and to the tap. When the tap is shut off, the water remaining in the pipes cools off; thus, when the hot water is next turned on, the tap is opened and cool water gushes out until the hot water can be pushed back up to the tap. A water recirculation system attaches the water heater through the hot water pipe. This simple solution causes hot water to constantly circulate through the pipes, so that water is delivered in a timely fashion. Additional benefits include:

Reduction in wasted water.
Reduced water bill.
Reduced water consumption per person, per year.
Improved hot water delivery.
Environmentally friendly water solution.

In conclusion, a recirculating water pump system is both the economic and water-conscious decision that provides numerous benefits to hotels, office buildings, and other commercial businesses. To learn more about why you should install a recirculating water pump system, as well as what pump is best suited for your water needs, we invite you to contact a member of the W.P. Law team. W.P. Law, Inc. has been helping businesses implement water and plumbing solutions since 1970.

How can I cut down on the algae in my pond?

Posted on August 20, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

Find out how to clear your pond.

algae covered pond

Algae is one of the most common concerns of pond owners. It can develop quickly, spreading across new ponds that are in the process of becoming established. Sometimes it takes the form of green water; other times, it comes in the form of unattractive blanket weed or string algae.

What Causes Algae in Ponds?

Sometimes algae will collect because rainwater flows across the yard before entering the pond; this water may contain fertilizers that can make algae grow. In other cases, a buildup of organic debris will feed algae, causing large algae blooms. Ponds that are built using marble, concrete, or limestone have a higher pH, which can contribute to algal blooms. A pump that isn’t strong enough to move at least half the total pond volume will provide poor circulation, which can also contribute to buildup.

As a new pond becomes established and other issues are addressed, the pond will generally produce less algae over time. But, pond owners will most likely want to address the algae that is already there, to improve pond conditions in the meantime.

Removing Algae from the Pond

If manually removing algae with a pond skimmer is not feasible, algaecide can help remove algae and restore your pond’s aesthetic appeal. Which algaecide will be best will depend on the conditions and use of your pond. In most cases, a copper-based algaecide is appropriate. It is safe to use with most types of fish.

However, if you keep trout, koi, or channel catfish, you will need to get a compatible algaecide for those fish. When treating a pond that has fish, treat one quarter of the pond at a time. When algae dies, the oxygen level around it temporarily dips. By treating the pond in stages, you can assure that your fish have adequate oxygen.

It can take time to get a new pond established and to address all of the issues that cause algae to build up in your pond. But, by addressing issues as they happen and correcting the causes, you can keep your pond attractive and enjoyable all season long.

Why won’t the sprinklers on my irrigation system rotate?

Posted on August 13, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

How to Solve Common Irrigation Issues

Agricultural Irrigation Systems

If the sprinklers on your irrigation system fail to properly rotate, then you might find yourself with dead patches of grass, shrubs, crops, or plants. To help you resolve your agricultural irrigation system woes, the experts at W.P. Law Inc. have gathered together a few helpful tips.

Tips to Resolving Sprinkler Rotation Issues

If your sprinkler heads aren’t rotating, then you might need to look at more than one component of your agricultural irrigation system. The following tips will help you resolve the issues, so that you can go back to growing a healthy crop of plants, shrubs, or crops.

Find any and all broken sprinkler heads. — A broken sprinkler head is often the top culprit for causing rotation issues. A broken sprinkler head can easily be identified by looking for cracked casings, heads that remain buried in the ground, or broken plastic pieces near the sprinkler head. Once you have found a broken sprinkler head, you will need to either repair it or replace it with a new model.
Check the water pressure. — Low water pressure will not only keep parts of your lawn from being properly watered, but it can also contribute to an array of sprinkler head rotation issues. In fact, low water pressure can keep your sprinkler heads from rotating all together. To resolve this irrigation issue, make sure that your valves are fully open. A fully open valve will create the highest water pressure, which will provide sensitive sprinkler heads with the proper amount of pressure.
Check for water line leaks and crushed pipes. — A crushed pipe won’t deliver water to the sprinkler heads. When water isn’t delivered to the sprinkler head it can’t properly rise out of the ground, which can cause it to remain stuck in one position. Alternatively, a leak in the water line can cause low water pressure. As discussed in the previous tip, if the water pressure is too low, then the sprinkler head won’t properly rotate. In fact, low water pressure from a leaking pipe might cause the sprinkler head to remain buried in the ground.

If you have tried all of the above tips and you’re still having trouble making your sprinklers rotate, then we invite you to contact our team of experts at W. P. Law, Inc. We would be happy to help you further troubleshoot the sprinkler rotation issue or revitalize your irrigation system to more easily meet your watering needs.

What’s causing the pipes in my lift station to lose pressure?

Posted on August 6, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

Common Causes for Low Pressure

Bursting water pipe

A lift station is designed to pump wastewater from a lower to higher elevation. It is a particularly valuable solution when the elevation of the source does not provide a sufficient gravity flow for the wastewater. Wastewater cannot be properly transported when the pipes within the lift station lose pressure. If you have noticed that your pipes are losing pressure, then it is time for you to determine a few possible causes.

Top Reasons Pipes Lose Pressure in Lift Stations

From clogs to frozen pipes, these three reasons can help you discover why the pipes in your lift station are losing pressure.

1. Clogs or deposits within the pipes.

A clog will keep the wastewater from flowing freely, which will create a loss of pipe pressure. Waste deposits work in a similar fashion; they create blockages along the pipes, which can cause increased pressure on one side of the blockage and lower pressure on the other side. Rust, mineral, and algae deposits can also form along the pipes. To clear up this issue, try using a chemical substance to break apart the deposit.

2. Broken pipes and valves.

A broken pipe can cause an immediate drop in pressure. Similarly, a broken valve can keep the wastewater from flowing properly. Finally, you should make sure that your valves are set to the correct position, which will help them to work at a 100 percent efficiency level. Diagnosing and repairing these pump station issues can help you restore pressure levels, so that your pipes and lift station can work harmoniously.

3. The pipes have become frozen.

During the winter there is an increased likelihood that pipes will freeze. When a pipe freezes, it can expand and crack. The resulting expansion and cracks can cause leaks within the pipes, which can reduce the pressure needed to remove the wastewater. To ensure that your pipes don’t freeze, remember to keep them well insulated during below freezing temperatures.

Calling in the Experts

If you have tried diagnosing the issue to no avail, then it might be time for you to contact the experts at W.P. Law, Inc. W.P. Law has been helping businesses install lift stations / pump stations since the 1970’s. Our team of experts will help you to properly diagnose and resolve your low-pressure issues.

Month: August 2015