Frequently Asked Questions
Ever wonder what you need to do in certain situations? Here at Frey Water Systems we're here to help, for this reason we have created this section containing the most frequently asked questions regarding water systems. If you cannot find your specific question, please feel free to
contact us and we'll be more than willing to share our knowledge with you!
... click on a question, to see its answer ...
Q: What can I do if I have no water?
A: Check the electrical breakers in your breaker box. Check the reset button on your well control box. Check the water shutoff valves at your well and on the main line into your house to make sure they're not turned off.
If none of these is causing the problem, turn off the power to your well. Then, check the contacts in your well pressure switch to see if they are either dirty or otherwise prevented from functioning properly. You may find that ants or a lizard caused a short circuit to occur. If the contacts are corroded, you can clean them carefully with an emory board.
Q: What must I do to maintain my system?
A: Filters have an automatic backwash to clean themselves, which normally is set to occur between midnight and two o'clock in the morning for chlorination/dechlorination systems and two and four o'clock in the morning for water softeners.
Avoid using water during the backwash cycle. Even flushing a toilet will pull about one-and-a half gallons of unfiltered water into the house.
Remember, we're there to fix your system if something goes wrong. It's up to you to maintain it. However, we do offer a Monthly Maintenance Program that you can contact us for more information.
CHLORINATOR/DECHLORINATOR
| Weekly |
Take a chlorine reading. It's very important that you have a proper reading (1.5 ppm residual) at all times. If you can't get a reading and there is still some solution in your tank, call us.
Check your valve clock. If it consistently loses time and there have been no corresponding power outages, call us. |
| Monthly |
Blow off the retention tank, using the valve at the bottom. Let the water run until it's clear. |
| Yearly |
At least 3-4 times a year you need to chlorine-shock your house. |
WATER SOFTNER
| Weekly |
Check your valve clock. If it consistently loses time and there have been no corresponding power outages, call us. |
| Periodically |
Check the level of salt in your salt tank. Add salt as necessary. |
Q: How do I take a chlorine reading?
A: Using a pool test kit, take a water sample from the first faucet in the piping that leads from the holding tank to the filter. Follow the test kit instructions to get a reading.
A second test should be performed at a faucet past the filter or at a faucet in the house, to be sure the filter is removing the chlorine from the water.
Q: How do I chlorine-shock my house?
A: First of all, check the system for a chlorine reading, if you do, proceed with the following steps. Turn off your hot water heater (if gas, turn to "pilot"). Turn the valve(s) on your filter(s) to "bypass". Turn on all hot water faucets and other sources, including your showers. Let the water run until it turns cold. Check all hot water sources to make sure you get a chlorine reading.
Turn on all cold water faucets and hose bibbs (inside and outside) and let the water run until you get a chlorine reading at every source.
Run your dishwasher, your clothes washer and your refrigerator's water (if any) to allow chlorine to enter that piping as well.
Once you're sure you have a chlorine reading at every source of water, turn off all faucets and hose bibbs. Wait 30 minutes to allow the chlorine to do its work.
Finally, reset your bypass valve to the "Service" position and run the water until all the chlorine is gone. Then, turn the breaker for your hot water heater back on (or turn your gas water heater back to "on") and resume normal operation.
Q: How do I re-prime my chlorine pump?
A: There are two hoses on the pump: (1) one that extends into the solution tank and (2) one that connects to the injection fitting on your water line.
Make sure your solution tank is full. Disconnect hose (2) from the pump. Blow off your retention tank. When the well pump starts running, the chlorine pump will re-prime itself. After the pump is primed, reconnect the hose.
Q: How do I reset my timer?
A: It is important to reset the timer after your electric power has been off.
Remove the front cover from the control head on top of the black filter.
Push the red button in to allow the black wheel to turn. Use the black wheel to adjust the time and then release the red button.
If you have both a carbon filter and a softener, set both to the actual time. From factory the carbon filter will do the backwash at 12:00am and the softener at 2:00am
Q: Why does the water smell bad in only one part of my house?
A: There may be residue in just that one area of your piping system. If so, it needs special attention.
When you chlorine-shock your house, be sure to allow additional time for the chlorine to work in that area.
Q: How often should the filters in my reverse osmosis system be changed?
A: You should change your filters when you notice that the taste of your water has changed or when the water stops running completely.
Q: How often will my carbon filter need to be rebedded?
A: Normal life for the carbon medium in your filter can range from two to seven years, depending upon the amount of chlorine that passes through it. So the more water you use, the shorter the lifespan of your carbon will be and the sooner you can expect to need a rebed.
Q: We're refilling the pool. How will that affect our water treatment system?
A: The system will become saturated at approximately 2000 gallons, which represents about four hours of constant running. So after four hours, stop filling the pool and backwash the system. This procedure is necessary to avoid creating an overload condition which could send discolored water into your house and your pool.
