FEATURE
33 three months if they sign a maintenance contract with you for two years .
Storage tanks have developed to cater for the aesthetics and different sizes to cater for any need . SANS 1731:2017 is the standard for “ Polyethylene storage tanks for water and chemicals .” This applies to tanks with a 2000l and more capacity and for tanks above ground . The storage tanks are used for water , liquids in the manufacture of food and beverages and chemical solutions at atmospheric pressure . As the standard calls up the SANS 10252 -1 standards all pipes , and fittings must be installed to this standard , in other words , compulsory .
Work in a suburban or area to reduce time on calls all over the place and provides one an opportunity to negotiate better deals with suppliers if buying in bulk .
Grey water , or any water for that matter , should not lie for longer than 24-hours . While treatment will provide a longer lifespan , it is a case of rather being safe than sorry . Your customers should be made aware of this . Treatment can take various forms but the safest is probably environmentally safe agents . Water and even wastewater have both good and bad bacteria . Some of the good bacteria may often be destroyed by use of harsh and destructive chemicals . A few environmentally-friendly chemicals are on the market and are useful for plumbers to upsell the grey water system installed . Best obtained from suppliers that specialise in grey water products and systems a plumber would install .
The issue of storage tanks which may start as rainwater harvesting and include or add on the grey water side must be within the SANS 1731 storage tanks standard . Whilst the standard draws in several ASTM standards , this is a good thing as these are tried and tested internationally , the reference to SANS 10252-1 makes it a compulsory specification . So , the performance and workmanship , pipes and fittings and design criteria must be to 10252 . Naturally , the temptation to purchase non-compliant tanks is tempting , this is not advised . In the case where the customer has purchased a non-compliant tank – advise him / her of the dangers and if no positive response walk away . It will be cheaper in the long run . Bear in mind 1731 is a design and manufacture standard and it offers excellent insight as to what the end product should be .
There is no doubt that grey water and black water ( another subject for another day ) is the way forward and an excellent opportunity for plumbers to upsell and increase their profitability . Learn from the manufacturers and learn from colleagues . Upselling is of no use if one must return again and again to fix what should have been designed or installed correctly in the first place .
A plumber should look at the treatment aspect as well as there are excellent products on the market that are not harmful to the soil and in fact , encourage growth of plant and grass when grey water and , of course , rainwater is used for irrigation . Known as biological agents these are available directly from manufacturers in bulk adding to upselling and packing in smaller containers for your own distribution to customers . Another opportunity for customer contact . ( Check with the manufacturer that one can repack first !) PA
“ You are unlikely to be competing with the unqualified plumber so your pricing can be reasonable and provide a fair profit .”
January 2021 Volume 26 I Number 11 www . plumbingafrica . co . za