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Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see an answer to
your question? Please help us improve. Contact Ken Morse netseptic@earthlink.net (360) 923-1080.
Thank you.
Q-1
How is SludgeHammer different?
A-1 We use Complex Biology
with our SludgeHammer Ecosystem Process, instead
of Complex Technology.
There is only one moving part in our product
- the economical diaphragm air pump that supplies the
growing unit with its oxygen. Our biology is so
effective we don't need to rely on expensive to maintain
components. Drain-field failure is a biological
problem, not a mechanical problem. Now we have a
biological solution.
Another important difference is our device fits into your
existing septic tank. You don't need a series of new
tanks to do the job. This is why we can keep your
costs low and still have such a good result. We
retro-fit your existing tank and save you the heartache &
expense of having to re-landscape your yard. Think of
SludgeHammer as a "companion technology" for your existing
septic system which will improve your system's performance.
Q-2 Has SludgeHammer been tested to
any sort of Standard?
A-2
YES! SludgeHammer (originally called Pirana) was tested by IAPMO R&T
which tests, Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) devices
and fixtures. UPC Testing and Certification
is an important consumer protection safeguard!
The
Standard to which our product was tested is the IGC 180-2003
Standard for the Aerobic Bacteria Generator (the technical
name for our product). The manufacturer had to
prove that it was better at restoring a drain-field compared
to an Aerobic Treatment Unit (which uses old NSF-40
Standard).
Unlike the NSF-40 test, our product was tested to see if would
recover a failed drainfield more quickly than just using the
aerobic-mode only, and it did!
Drainfield
recovery has never been written into a Standard until now.
You can purchase our product with confidence. Look for
the UPC seal on any product claiming to be able to recover
you drain-field.
Visit
http://www.ansi.org/
and click "E-Standards Store" Next, type in "IGC
180-2003" into the "Search Standards" box.
You can purchase a copy of the new bioremediation standard
from ANSI. Or
View the current listing on the Official
IAPMO Site
Look for the UPC Seal
There are copy-cat products
that are not UPC listed. The UPC Seal means
SludgeHammer is tested and meets the performance criteria
set down in the IGC 180-2003 Standard. Any other
product which meets the same criteria will also be listed in
the same manner. If a product is NOT UPC-listed, it
has no valid claim that they are "just another version of
SludgeHammer". Don't fall victim to false
advertising.
SludgeHammer Blend
(formally Pirana Blend) meets all the requirements of WAC 246-272
(Additive Regulations) for sale in Washington State.
The State of Washington does not endorse any additive product
or verify any product claims but it does evaluate additive
products and their method of product application to block
harmful product from sale in WA State.
Alaska's code recognizes the UPC for septic systems
(Washington does not).
Oregon does not regulate "additives" and SludgeHammer does
not come under any code requirements applicable to repair or
alterations. Local or regional Health Jurisdictions
may interpret their codes differently or add their own
requirements.
Q-3
What happens when the power goes out for several days?
A-3 SludgeHammer microbes will do
just fine. Our "bugs" will survive
the power outage without difficult. When the power
comes back on they jump right in and continue their cleaning
job. As a matter of fact, when the power goes out and
the air pump is off, they switch to a natural fermentation
way of digesting drain-field slime. Practically
nothing will stop them!
Q-4
There are lots of products on the market with exaggerated
claims; why do you call SludgeHammer a FISH FRIENDLY
solution?
A-4
Scientifically Tested. The State of Florida
required the manufacturer (when we were known as Pirana) to
run a Scientific Test know commonly as the flathead minnow
assay. Normally the test results in 1/2 of the test
fish dying, in order to calculate the Lethal Dose - 50% (the
LD-50). When the third-party testing firm ran the test
they called up Dr. Dan Wickham (the inventor) and said "we
have a problem, we haven't seen any of the fish die."
Dan's response was "you call that a problem?!" They
kind of got the point and simply reported
zero fish
mortality in their report:
Union,
WA 2005 - We
put SludgeHammer to the Ultimate
FISH FRIENDLY test! In 2005 at our
first SludgeHammer installed on a residence, I kept a
goldfish inside the "septic" tank for a two-month ad hoc
"fish friendly test." That fish is still alive in
2007 2008, and is as happy as ever in my backyard pond. We are not
the first SludgeHammer example of growing fish in unusual
places (septic tanks or sludge ponds) but we are proud to be
the first in the North West and in our very first
installation in Union, WA.
There are MANY additional FISH FRIENDLY aspect to
SludgeHammer.
- Remarkable Denitrificatiion.
-
Prevents & Reverses septic
Biomat Drain-field Failures.
- Fits your existing septic tank (no
new tanks needed).
- No landscape damage means no erosion
from heavy equipment damage to your property.
- Effective fecal coliform elimination, without harsh chemicals.
A-5
Why don't we sell SludgeHammer over the internet?
Q-5
We want to be sure we are solving your (real) problem.
We have turned down potential customers because
during the tank / drain-field inspection we found other
problems that SludgeHammer cannot fix. Our experienced
installation people are trained to spot these other problems
which cause failures. If your real problem is a
blocked pipe, you do not need our product or maybe you need
more than just our product. Every situation is
potentially different so we take care to do a through,
confidential evaluation and discuss your options.
This is why we have such a high success rate. The
copy-cat products or internet-gizmos salesmen will sell you
anything but we are dedicated to professionally solving your
problem. |
