Frequently Asked Questions
Tank Cleaning
Over time, biological matter enters the tank and begins to decompose. Tank cleaning will reduce potential damage to your Water Pump, assists in the unobstructed flow of water to your Pump, increase the life of your Water Filters, and where there are no Filters, it reduces potential harm to your tap ware…But most importantly, it is the first significant stage in ensuring the purity and health of your drinking water supply.
Roofs and Guttering are the main catchment areas for the household water tanks, so It’s not surprising that substance such as heavy metals (from iron roofs and paint), pesticides, decomposing leaf matter, bird and rodent carcasses, and droppings, plus dust and grime can quickly make its way into your tank. This will build up over time to harmful levels.
When using roof water for drinking, you MUST clean spouting regularly and your roof to clear bird/animal droppings. Having your water tank inspected and/or serviced once a year will help ensure these contaminants are kept to a minimum.
Look into your water tank and check the clarity. If you can’t see the bottom clearly it needs cleaning. If you fail to clean the sediment in your tank for a few years a large layer can build up, requiring a full empty and scrub out.
If you catch it early, only a small layer of silt will be present. We will be able to clean the tank while it’s full, so you’ll only lose a small amount of water. The best time to clean your tank is during the winter months when you have higher levels of rainfall.
It depends on your environment. If you are surrounded by large trees, which fill your spouting and tank with debris, you probably need an annual clean. If you are surrounded by open spaces, we typically suggest every two years.
YES! If you notice a change in smell you will need to check your tank immediately. Perhaps you have a dead rodent in the tank. Maybe there’s decaying foliage. This usually happens after a sudden downpour during dry spells. The stagnant water sits in the underground downpipes and is then washed into the water tank during heavy rain. It is advisable to flush your downpipes out on a regular basis, especially with heavy downpours during warmer months.
If you notice any of these issues, please do not drink the water and call us to ensure your tank can be completely treated.
The Ministry of Health recommend annual inspections and cleaning of your tank, if you haven’t had this done in the last year or two, your tank will need attention. The following are also signs to look out for:
* Have you, your family or visitors experienced diarrhoea, vomiting or frequents bouts of tummy bugs?
* Do you and your family experience fatigue, headaches, muscle and tummy cramps or generally feel unwell?
* Does your water occasionally taste and smell ‘funny’?
* Does your filter (if you have one) need changing more frequently?
Over time sediment begins to form a layer on the base of your tank, this sediment is a breeding ground and food source for potentially harmful bacteria that can make users of the water supply extremely unwell. The tank gets contaminated from ash, dust, sprays, chemicals and animal and bird droppings from your roof, gutters and overhanging trees. This sediment MUST be removed on a regular basis. Even if you have a filter, this sediment must be removed to ensure your filter is working effectively.
The Ministry of Health recommends annual tank cleaning – however with appropriate filtration and bacteria control (UV) this can typically be 1-3 years.
Gutter Cleaning
Gutter cleaning may seem like a simple task, but it’s not as easy as the pros make it look! If you’re considering DIY rain gutter cleaning, check out these frequently asked questions. By the end, you might just consider making the job a little easier on yourself by hiring a pro!
A regular gutter cleaning schedule is vital for your gutter system to maintain optimum performance. Once in the spring and once in the fall is typically enough for the average home without a multitude of trees in the area. However, if your home is surrounded by trees, you may need to clean them even more often!
You may notice some areas of your gutter begin to overflow when it rains, or your downspouts may not have any water drain out of them. This means you have clogged gutters. You may also begin to see the debris building up over the top of your gutter, in which case, you have badly clogged gutters which need to be taken care of immediately. Ideally, you should clean your gutters on a regular schedule so you won’t have to guess when they need taken care of. Additionally, it is important to note that gutter cleaning is necessary even if you do not have trees. Shingle grit can collect over time, pests may make nests in your gutters, and organic debris like pollen and dirt may collect up there, as well.
We highly discourage homeowners from cleaning rain gutters themselves. There are a few reasons why. First and foremost is the issue of safety. In order to clean your gutters, you must climb a ladder, which can lead to serious injuries. Also keep in mind that you can never be certain what you’ll find lurking up in your gutter system – anything from bees’ nests to possums, and more can make a home up there. This also poses a significant safety risk.
The other drawback of DIY gutter cleaning is due to a lack of training and proper tools. A professional gutter cleaner spends every day cleaning gutters. In addition to safely and properly cleaning your gutters, they’ll also be able to identify any other issues you may not have been aware of, such as rotting fascia board, or leaking gutters.
This largely depends on the size of your home, as well as the number of levels it has. Our technicians are trained and certified in heights and the safety required for working at heights. Neglecting or foregoing gutter cleaning altogether is a dangerous game to play, however—it can result in some costly damages to your roof and foundation.
Gutter cleaning prices vary depending on the size of your home and the number of levels it has. You may find that gutter cleaning prices also depend on the size of the crew that will be servicing your gutters. For the best possible pricing, it is best to request a free estimate up front. Beware of companies that provide pricing without first assessing the issue on-site—this can result in the team discovering areas of particular concern that halt progress or turn into surprise charges on your account.
Ignoring clogged gutters can have serious consequences. When water overshoots your gutters due to debris buildup, the water will fall to the base of your home. This can cause a whole host of problems like landscape erosion, flooding, foundation issues, and mold growth. On a much less serious note, clogged gutters are also unsightly, and detract from your home’s curb appeal.
There are several gutter cleaning tools on the market that claim to allow you to clean gutters without a ladder. In reality, many of these tools are ineffective, and some may make existing problems even worse. Unfortunately, for those living in a multi-story home, there’s really no reliable way to clean your gutters without the help of a ladder. If you’re worried about falling off the ladder, call a pro to take care of the task for you.
Call Aqua Services and our team will look after this for you!
Ask us about our Gutter Foam solution which is our protection for your gutters once we have cleaned them.
If cleaning your gutter system sounds like too much of a hassle, request a quote from Aqua Services today.
Water Blasting
We wash your roof, driveways, decks, outdoor furniture, talk to us we may be able to sort the area you need washed.
No. We use a gentle soft washing process at low pressure. Water blasting your roof at high pressure can not only cause serious damage to your paint and cladding but at high pressure the water can find its way into crack and cavities and get into your ceiling.
Our cleaning products, when applied correctly, are not harmful to you, your pets or your plants. We take a strong stance on environmental safety and use bio degradable products and environmentally safe techniques.
No. Our cleaning process is designed to in fact prolong the life of your paint. The soft wash process in non abrasive and our cleaning products are not harmful to paint. Many types of wash products developed by paint companies specifically for cleaning their paint contain the same ingredients we use. We always test a small inconspicuous area first.
We of course recommend regular washing but don’t just take our word for it the following is from BRANZ Exterior wall maintenance guide:
“Wash down the exterior buildings yearly. Increase cleaning frequency to 3-monthly in geothermal or severe marine areas. Where unpainted steel cladding is used, wash down areas not rain-washed at 6-monthly intervals.”
We carry comprehensive insurance for the purpose of conducting our services. We carry public liability insurance. Our staff hold working at heights certification.
Our moss, mould and lichen treatment is a highly effective “treat and leave” process. We spray our specially formulated product and then mother nature does the rest. The growth usually takes 1-4 months to fall off but it may take up to 12 months to see the full effect. Once treated your roof should be free of moss and lichen for up to 3 years.
Of course you can. But just keep in mind, the professionals make it look easy, because for us it is! Our industrial water blaster is an impressive machine that even the most expensive store bought units can’t compete with. What may take a DIYer a whole day, we can achieve in a couple of hours and with far superior results.
