Pond lines are subject to freezing when above water line, or left uninsulated.
It is very important for those who have Pond Water Treatment Systems to check the lines in their pond to make sure they are submerged under the water. Exposed lines are subject to freezing. Due to the drought we experienced this past summer, many of the ponds in our area are low, and in some cases lower than the line that exits the pond. If the line freezes, it will likely cause pump problems leading to your household or barn without water for an undetermined amount of time.
Here are a few things we recommend as we move into the colder months:
Make sure your pond line is submerged under the water in your pond
If there is any part of your line that is not submerged, cover it with dirt, straw bales or any other insulation to prevent freezing
These small measures may help prevent the headache of having your line freeze causing pump problems, no water,and service fees! Please feel free to call us or message us with any questions!
A common question we are asked is, “What the difference between “Box Store” water treatment equipment vs. going directly to an Independent Water Treatment Dealer like Aquatek Water Conditioning?”
It really is a great question, because we, like many of you, also want to make sure we are getting the best value for our purchases (and providing our customers with the same). At the end of the day, there isn’t anything wrong with purchasing water treatment equipment from a “Box Store.” However, there are differences in how you set up, maintain, and how well your equipment may work for your specific water situation.
Aquatek Water Conditioning is an Independent Water Treatment Dealer. This means that we are not tied to a national brand, or a franchise. We are family owned and operated since 1952! We build our equipment at our shop located in downtown Wauseon, OH. Our equipment is sized and programed according to each customer’s water situation. Our mission is to partner with our customers by providing them with the best water treatment solution for their wants and needs. We believe that this ultimately leads them to peace of mind, and quality of life with their water.
You may be asking, “What does this have to do with a “Box Store” purchase?
From our perspective, here are a few things to consider when weighing the option of purchasing from a “Box Store” or Independent Water Treatment Dealer.
When purchasing water treatment equipment from a “Box Store” you are literally doing that–You are purchasing it to install yourself–or working with one of the store’s sub-contractors for installation, who may not be an expert in the water treatment field. Again, there is nothing wrong with doing this, as it may fit your budget and needs.
What is different about purchasing equipment from an Independent Water Treatment Dealer?
First and foremost, all water is not treated equally. No one’s water is the same and there is no such thing as “one-size fits all” in the world of water treatment. Your water quality and volume could be the opposite of the water a mile away. Therefore, the type of water treatment equipment that is installed could vary from home to home, based on a variety of factors. How does the water test? How many people live in the home? Are you using the water in the barn for animals? What quantity of water and/or water pressure is accessible to the home?
At Aquatek, we offer a no cost, no obligation meeting to test your water and discuss your ultimate goal for your water. Our quote will include equipment, built in our shop, that is sized and programmed for your water and family needs. It will also reflect if you are purchasing or renting the equipment. Our equipment and/or installation is going to cost more than what you would typically get at a “Box Store,” as it is built to your specific water situation and installed by trained water treatment professionals. We also guarantee our installations. If you are not getting what you want out of our water treatment equipment, we will uninstall it for you. In many instances, we will haul away old equipment, and for water softeners, we’ll even fill the salt tank for you!
Another major difference between “Box Store” purchases and Independent Water Treatment Dealers is the answer to, “What happens when my equipment breaks down?”
For us at Aquatek, it’s easy, you simply call us and we get you on our schedule for maintenance and repair. We service what we sell. Our store is located in downtown Wauseon, Ohio, and we work with customers throughout the Northwest Ohio and Southeastern Michigan area. If your equipment is under warranty, we will handle this for you, no need to ship your unit off or wait a long time for your repair.
For “Box Store” purchases, this may vary depending on a variety of factors. And although we are able to work on many different makes and models of water treatment equipment, we do not carry parts for “Box Store” equipment and are unable to service them.
We also promote preventative maintenance on all our equipment. Regular maintenance helps to prolong the life of the equipment and helps to ward off any major issues that could lead to no water, leaks, staining of clothing and appliances, etc. This is something that we educate our customers on so that they can do it themselves, or our technicians are able to come out to the home to provide this service. One thing we can guarantee you, is that your water is important, and we want you to avoid the frustration of having unpleasant water issues as much as possible!
Here is what to expect from us:
When you call our store, you’ll talk to a friendly, local person who will take your information. We’ll schedule a time for one of our experienced representatives to come to your property (home, barn or business) to test your water for iron, hardness, TDS (total dissolved solids), pH, and if needed, sulfur. They will assess your situation, discuss your wants and needs, and provide you with a strategy for your water. No obligation, no cost!
The quote will be based off your water results, existing plumbing and wants and needs. The prices in the quote will include installation, and in many instances, hauling old units away. Once you decide you would like to move forward, we will build your equipment in our shop, and schedule a time for installation of by one of our trained installation technicians.
Following the installation, our staff will place a phone call to make sure that the equipment is working and that there are no follow up questions. If it appears that something isn’t working properly after installation, we encourage our customers to call us immediately. We will come out and inspect the unit and readjust settings at no charge to the customer.
From there, we hope to continue to be partners with our customers! We have a store located at 7300 State Route 108 in Wauseon where we provide a variety of products that support our water treatment systems such as filters, parts, salt, alum, chlorine, and hydrogen peroxide. We also offer a delivery service for these products, as well as Bottled Water Delivery and water coolers.
At the end of the day, the decision is yours to make. There is no right or wrong, just what is best for you and your situation.
For us, water is our passion, and our goal is to give you peace of mind and quality of life through our customer service and water treatment expertise. We help our customers “Take Control of Their Water!”
Building or buying a home can be an exciting experience. But it can also be full of stress and headaches when unexpected or unplanned situations arise.
Whether you are building or buying a home, you will need water. Knowing the water situation will help you effectively plan for a smooth transition into your new space.
Here are a few questions and suggestions to help make sure that you have everything planned for your water needs, prior to your build or purchase.
Building a Home
There are many things to consider when buying or building a new home. One major component is water!
What water source do you plan on using?
Well
Pond
City Water
Hauled in
What types of water sources do neighbors use?
Are You Drilling a Well?
If you plan on drilling a well, ask your well driller, neighbors, and/or local water treatment dealers on what to expect from the water in the location you will be building. In some parts of our service area, water is naturally flowing, and plentiful. In other areas, there is simply no water to be found. If drilling a well, you’ll need to make sure water is in that area. The type of water your well produces will determine what type of water treatment is necessary for your home.
Here are some common water issues that we see throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeastern Michigan What’s in Your Water Blog.
Are You Digging a Pond?
When building a home, many homeowners in our area rely on their pond as their primary water source. This is a great option for those who have no water on their property, have un-treatable water, or simply want to have this viable, safe and Ohio Department of Health certified solution for their water.
If you are digging a pond and plan on using this as your primary water source, appropriate permits will need to be applied for and obtained prior to installation of the system. Approved contractors for digging pond and installing water treatment equipment are listed at local Health Departments. It is important to work with your builder, plumbers, and water treatment contractors to make sure there is viable space, plumbing and electrical considerations for your system.
Will You Have City Water?
According to the Water Quality Association, approximately 85% of the U.S. population receives water from community water systems. These systems are required to meet standards set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). If you are on city water, have a discussion with your neighbors to see how they treat their water. Many homeowners using city water have Water Softeners, Carbon Filters and Reverse Osmosis systems installed to improve the quality and/or taste of their water.
Expert Tip: We recommend having your house pre-plumbed for water treatment systems. Usually, your outside systems and sprinkler systems have untreated water.
Buying a Home
Water is important to consider when buying a new home. Many of the above points noted in the “Building a Home” section also apply to buying a home, but here are some specific questions you can ask that will help you better understand the water situation prior to purchasing a home.
What water source supplies the home?
Well
Pond
City Water
Hauled in
Does the home have a water treatment system in the home?
Is it working?
What is the approximate age of the system?
What water treatment provider installed the system?
Has it been properly maintained?
Do you like the taste of the water?
As you’re taking a tour through the home, ask the realtor or homeowner for a drink of tap water. This is also a good opportunity to experience the water pressure.
Pond Water Treatment Systems
If you have a Pond Water Treatment System, you will want to become familiar with both the system and pond in general. Here are a few resources that might be helpful:
Many homes in our area rely on water being hauled to their homes. You’ll want to know what that process is, and the costs.
City Water
If the home uses city water, have a discussion with your neighbors on if they treat their water, or if they have suggestions. Many homeowners using city water have their water tested for a variety of reasons. Water Softeners, Carbon Filters and Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems are commonly used to improve the quality and/or taste of their water.
Take Control of Your Water
If you are planning on building or buying a home, we would be happy to help you take control of your water! Give us a call at 419-335-8831 or email us at info@aquatekwater.net to discuss your water needs.
While we all would love to find nuggets of gold falling into our glass when turning on the kitchen faucet each morning, unfortunately, that isn’t a reality. Learn what can really be in our water!
Here in Northwest Ohio and Southeastern Michigan, water quality and water quantity varies widely. In some areas water is plentiful with deep flowing wells, while other areas have little to no water to tap into. Some regions have high iron content, while others have sulfur. And oftentimes, one homeowner’s water can have a completely different makeup than their nearby neighbor.
Hardness
Calcium and magnesium can build up causing hardness in water. It oftentimes leaves residue on plumbing and fixtures, as well as on dishes and glassware.
Tannins
Tannins water are a natural organic material caused by decaying vegetation and peaty soil. You can see the yellow color of the untreated Tannins water next to the treated Tannins water in this photo.
Iron
You can see little rusty/orange particles floating in this Iron Water.
Sulfur
In the picture, you’ll notice black fittings as a result of sulfur running through the pipes – those fittings should be brass in color.
Hardness
Water hardness is a common quality of water found in this region. Hard water contains dissolve compounds of calcium and magnesium, and sometimes, other metallic elements. This is what causes mineral deposits on dishes and glassware. It can cause soap to not lather. It can also cause extra work to remove soap crud on bathtubs and shower stalls, scale build up in pipes, sinks, tubs, faucets, and appliances.
Iron
Iron is also commonly found in water throughout this area. Most notably, it can cause staining in sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, and clothing. It can also be corrosive to pipes and fixtures.
Sulfur
Sulfur is a gas found in some water throughout our region that has a very distinct smell, and taste, comparable to rotten eggs. Untreated sulfur water can come out of the faucet black and can cause staining to sinks, toilets and clothing. It can be very damaging to plumbing and non-water using appliances such as TV’s, Microwaves, HVAC systems and more.
No Water, Low Yield Wells and Untreatable Water
No water, low yield wells, high sulfur content and salt wells can wreak havoc in some areas throughout the region. As a viable alternative, many utilize their pond for water into their home and barn. Pond water is filtrated through Pond Water Treatment Systems, approved by the Ohio Department of Health, and provide viable and safe water into the home.
Tannins
Also seen in our area are Tannins. Tannins are a natural organic material caused by decaying vegetation and peaty soil. This can cause a faint yellow to tea-like color in your water and can lead to staining on fixtures and clothing when laundered.
Municipal Water
Households and businesses who are in cities, towns and villages typically have municipal water that is treated and distributed by water treatment plants. Generally speaking, municipal water is safe to drink, bathe in and launder. However, many of our customers like having the piece of mind, and extra protection of having residential water treatment equipment installed that improves the quality and taste of their water.
Warm weather is on its way and thoughts of lazy summer days of children playing outside for hours on end and swimming may be floating through our minds. Many enjoy a pond on their own property for many reasons — the beauty, the refreshing dip in the pond after a long, hot day, the fishing, and social events. For many, it is a water supply “lifeline” for home or barn usage.
If you follow our Social Media pages, you may have noticed the announcements about our Pond Maintenance Seminar, which we hosted on Facebook Live on May 14th, 2020. The seminar is a favorite with pond owners who want to learn more about maintaining a clean and healthy pond. This was our first time conducting a seminar online instead of in-person at our shop as we have in previous years. Although it was different, we are thrilled that we were still able to answer so many pond owners’ questions virtually. If you missed it, you can check it out here. Watching the video and even reading through the comments has been helpful for so many pond owners in learning how to manage some common pond issues! We are already planning for our Pond Seminar in 2021. Stay tuned for more information!
What’s the Big Deal About Ponds?
Ponds are important to us because they are important to our customers! Many homes throughout our service area rely on ponds for their drinking water source. In many cases, this is the only means for water into their home or barn due to low water tables or other issues such as high sulfur content found in areas throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. The systems we install meet the requirements of the Ohio Department of Health and are completely safe for drinking, bathing and cooking. This time of the year, we are busy preparing and planning for maintenance on our Pond Water Treatment Systems!
Avoid “No Water” situations by Changing Pond Filters Yearly
Maintaining Pond Water Treatment Systems properly is essential to keeping water safe and flowing into the home. We recommend maintenance every four years on the backwashing filters and changing the floating pond filter on an annual basis. This can prevent a lot of future and costly headaches for homeowners.
Pond Filter Maintenance is vital and can prevent situations in which home owners have no running water to their home and/or barn. We recommend changing pond filters annually. The photo on the right shows a collapsed pond filter, next to a brand new filter.
Owner Brandon Schindler Talks About Aquatek’s Pond Filter Change Program
As Brandon mentioned in the above video, pond owners are welcome to change their own filters, we carry all of the products needed in our store. In addition, we’ve recently added these products to our online shopping page. Now you can order your products online and pick them up at the store, order them online to add them to our delivery route, or even have products shipped directly to you through the Online Store! Or, drive to our store in downtown Wauseon, and we’ll provide you with curbside service!
Aquatek’s Pond Filter Change Program
June, July and August are prime months for changing pond filters. Aquatek’s team will efficiently and effectively change filters for pond owners as seen in the photo to the left.
If you are busy, don’t have a raft, or simply would just rather us take care of changing your filter, we are currently running a special pre-pay price for Pond Filter Changes through May 28th, 2021. The cost is $135 (includes filter, labor and tax). If you choose to have our team change the floating pond filter, don’t delay getting your name on our list. Prices and availability increase after May 28th, 2021.
Please note: Our team must have access to your pond:
A seven foot wide area on the pond bank must be clear for our team to change the filter.
Need to be able to get through gates, driveways, around fences, etc.
Pond filter changes are only available in our service area of Northwestern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan. If you purchase this service, and are out of our service area, we will contact you and refund your money. Call us or email us if you would like to verify first.
Surcharges will be added to:
Any filter change that is not pre-paid by May 28th, 2021
Sunken filters (Sunken filters will be changed on a scheduled route and incur additional fees)
This is a special price; you will not be invoiced for service.
It is our pleasure to continue to serve Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. It is our goal to help you to #TakeControlofYourWater!
The year 2020 has been an interesting one for us at Aquatek Water Conditioning! We, as so many others, are navigating through uncharted territory as we continue to understand how to safely and effectively serve our customers. COVID-19 has most certainly brought challenges our way, but it has also opened up some opportunities for us to “pivot” the way we do business and to ultimately help our customers continue to Take Control of Their Water. Here are a few things we have done:
Curbside Service
In March, we decided to close our store to the public, but offer Curbside Service for our customers. We will continue to do this until retail restrictions are lifted and we feel it is safe for our customers and employees to be back together again in our store. In the meantime, we hope our customers are enjoying the extra added attention! Our service and delivery has continued, but with added care.
Pond Seminar “Re-imagined”
Thursday May 14th we would have been hosting our 4th Annual Pond Seminar. Each year this has grown to be an event that has been valued by pond owners searching for answers on how to maintain a clean, healthy and beautiful pond. Since we weren’t going to be able to have it at our store, we decided we could still host it online through Facebook Live! Our partners at Sanco Industries will present live from Aquatek’s Facebook page and still provide an interactive seminar, answering pond owners questions before, during and after the seminar. Questions can be submitted to us at info@aquatekwater.net or through our Facebook Page. If you are reading this post after the event, you can still see it here!
Online Ordering
Our newest announcement is that we are launching an online store! Placing our products online will make it easy for customers to pre-order products to be pick up at the store, be added to a delivery route or even have product shipped. It also adds an extra level of safety for our customers during this time.
Since we are entering into the warmer months, and with the upcoming Pond Seminar, we are starting with our Pond Products and Pond Water Treatment System products. Over the next few weeks, we will be adding additional products to the page. Check it out here!
We are so very grateful for all of the trust our customers have placed in us, especially during this uncertain time. And we are thankful to have the opportunity to continue to serve our community.
We want to hear from you, how have you “pivoted” in 2020?
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