Hard Water in Cisterns and Your Home

Posted on November 15, 2024November 15, 2024 by parem_admin

Water is crucial for daily activities like drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing. But when your water contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, you may be dealing with hard water. This can affect not just your home’s plumbing and appliances but also your overall water quality. Below, we explore the signs of hard water in cisterns and homes and offer solutions to help you manage its impact.

Is Your Home Affected by Hard Water?

Detecting hard water in your home or cistern is essential to avoid potential complications.
You can test for hard water with a product like this.
Here’s what to look for:

Persistent Soap Scum and Residue

Hard water spots on glasses

One of the first indications of hard water is soap scum buildup on shower doors, sinks, and utensils. The minerals in hard water prevent soap from lathering properly, leaving a sticky residue that’s tough to clean. This not only leads to more frequent scrubbing but also necessitates stronger cleaning agents, adding to maintenance time and cost.

Solution: Install a whole-house water softening system to reduce mineral content and improve soap performance. For immediate relief, adding a ½ cup of white vinegar to your dishwasher cycle can help cut through the residue and leave dishes sparkling clean.

We recommend contacting your local water supply business for a whole-house water softener system. But if you’re looking for a DIY option, or want to start small, you could always try just a water-softener shower head or a little bit bigger of a system to handle softening your laundry and shower.

Stiff, Faded Laundry

Dull laundry

Do your clothes come out of the wash feeling stiff or looking dull? The minerals in hard water in your home nteract with detergents, making them less effective and causing detergent residue to cling to fabrics. Over time, this leads to faded colors, rougher textures, and more stubborn stains that resist removal.

What colour did these towels even used to be?

Solution: To help soften the hard water in your home coming from your cistern, specifically your laundry, and help your laundry feel softer, add ½ cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener, breaking down mineral buildup on clothes.

Reduced Water Pressure and Clogged Plumbing

Over time, hard water minerals can build up inside pipes, narrowing the water flow and reducing water pressure. This can lead to clogged faucets and showerheads that need constant cleaning to function properly. If the buildup goes unaddressed, it can result in more severe issues, such as pipe corrosion or complete blockages, which can be costly to repair.

Solution: Installing a water softening system can prevent mineral buildup and protect your plumbing. Regular maintenance and descaling of affected fixtures can also help manage buildup.

Scale Buildup on Appliances

Hard water takes a toll on appliances, especially those that use heating elements or handle large volumes of water, like kettles, dishwashers, hot water tanks, and washing machines. The presence of white or yellowish scale deposits on heating elements or around appliance edges is a clear sign of hard water. This buildup can reduce the efficiency of your appliances and shorten their lifespan, potentially leading to expensive replacements.

Hard water can also build up inside your cistern and pipes. Once you’ve determined that you have hard water, the best way to obtain soft water and get rid of your hard water is to get a water softener. Water softeners use ion exchange to replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or potassium ions, reducing water hardness. Will a water filtration system reduce your water flow rate?

Solution: Use a water softener to protect appliances from scale buildup. For smaller appliances like kettles and coffee makers, run a cleaning cycle with a solution of water and white vinegar to dissolve existing mineral deposits.

Dry, Itchy Skin

Washing in hard water can cause dry, itchy skin

Hard water can affect more than just household items—it can impact your skin. Bathing or washing with hard water can strip away the natural oils from your skin, causing dryness and irritation. The leftover soap residue from hard water further exacerbates this, making it difficult to maintain hydrated, healthy skin.

Solution: Consider installing a water softener or using moisturizing body washes designed for hard water. Installing a shower filter that reduces mineral content can also help maintain skin health.

What happens to your PTLevel in hard water?

Almost all appliances are affected by hard water in some way, and the PTLevel is no exception. The good news is, there is not too much change! To start, the water readings will not be affected by hard water. The PTLevel is designed to monitor the liquid level of water, chemicals, RO tanks, fertilizer tanks, etc; so having hard water is not a problem. We would just recommend making sure the pressure chamber hole does not get blocked by mineral build up annually. If you see build up starting to form, simply scrubbing it off or soaking the pressure chamber in white vinegar will help. Read more about the maintenance here.

A Long Range Wireless PTLevel monitoring a cistern on a farm in Ontario.

Cistern Level Monitor on a farm — A Long Range Wireless PTLevel monitoring a cistern on a farm in Ontario.

Conclusion: Take Action Against Hard Water

Spotting the signs of hard water in your cistern or home is the first step toward improving your water quality. From dealing with soap scum and clogged pipes to extending the life of your appliances and preserving your skin health, addressing hard water is crucial. If you suspect your home has hard water, consider testing your water supply and exploring solutions like installing a whole-house water softening system or incorporating simple fixes like white vinegar in your cleaning routines. With a proactive approach, you can maintain a cleaner, more efficient home environment and enjoy the benefits of softened water.

How to Protect Your Cistern or Well in Winter

Posted on November 4, 2024November 4, 2024 by parem_admin

How to Protect Your Cistern or Well in Winter

In winter your PTLevel can handle the weather, but make sure your cistern can too! Repair cracks, close up gaps, and prevent your pipes from freezing.

Is your water system ready for winter?

Why to prepare your cistern or well for winter

As temperatures start to drop, it’s essential to make sure your water supply system—whether it’s a cistern or a water well—is prepared for winter. Taking the time to winterize your system can prevent costly repairs, maintain water quality, and ensure you have uninterrupted access to water throughout the cold months. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get ready.

1. Inspect and Clean the System

Before winter sets in, inspect your cistern or well for any signs of wear or damage. This includes checking:

– The tank or well casing for cracks or leaks. If you see a crack, it should be repaired before winter. Plastic tanks and cement cisterns are repaired using different techniques; make sure to reach out to your local cistern specialists for repair.

– Pipes and fittings for signs of corrosion or loose connections.

– The pump for proper operation.

For cisterns, it’s also a good idea to give the tank a thorough cleaning. Remove any debris or sediment that may have built up over time. This helps maintain water quality and ensures smooth operation throughout the winter.

2. Insulate Pipes and Tanks

Another way to prepare your well or cistern for winter is to prepare your water pipes. Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to burst, leading to water loss and costly repairs. Insulate any exposed pipes, especially those running above ground or in unheated spaces. You can use foam pipe insulation or even wrap pipes with heat tape to prevent freezing.

For cisterns, if your tank is above ground, consider insulating the tank itself or using a cistern heater to prevent freezing. For wells, make sure the well cap and casing are adequately insulated to keep out cold air and moisture.

3. Check the Pump

Your pump is a critical part of your water system, and winter can be tough on it. Make sure the pump is properly lubricated and running efficiently. For above-ground pumps, consider insulating them or installing a pump house to protect them from the cold.

If you use a submersible pump, it’s typically safe from freezing, but you’ll still want to inspect the electrical connections and make sure the control box is secure.

4. Monitor Water Levels Regularly

Winter storms and freezing conditions can affect your water supply, especially if you rely on a water well. The PTLevel is an excellent tool for this, providing real-time monitoring of your well or cistern levels. It can alert you if the water level drops too low, so you can take action before running out of water.

5. Prevent Contamination

During winter, melting snow and ice can lead to surface water contamination in wells. Ensure your well cap is securely in place and in good condition to prevent water and debris from seeping in. Cistern owners should also check for any gaps or openings where contaminants could enter.

If you live in an area prone to flooding, consider raising the wellhead above the expected flood level or ensuring the cistern’s lid is properly sealed.

Cistern cap protected from debris, prior to winter make sure your cistern can't let debris in.

6. Consider Installing a Backup Power Source

Winter storms can lead to power outages, which can interrupt your water supply if your system relies on electricity. Having a backup generator ensures that your pump continues to operate even when the power goes out, keeping water flowing in your home.

7. Test Your Water Quality

Lastly, it’s important to test your water quality before winter. Cold weather can sometimes impact water quality, especially in shallow wells or cisterns exposed to surface conditions. Testing for bacteria, pH levels, and other contaminants gives you peace of mind knowing your water is safe for consumption throughout the winter months.

Pictured below is the Med Lab 16-in-one test strips that we use for our house! (They have not sponsored this post, but honestly we love their products and encourage you to try them out! They measure Lead, Fluoride, Iron, Copper, Mercury, Total Chlorine, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Total Alkalinity, Total Water Hardness, Aluminum, Sulfate, Bromine, Free Chlorine, and Cyanuric Acid.)

Final Water Winterizing Thoughts

Winterizing your cistern or well is essential for avoiding costly repairs and ensuring a steady supply of clean water all season long. By following these simple steps—inspecting your system, insulating, monitoring water levels, and safeguarding against contamination—you can protect your water supply from winter’s harsh and unpredictable conditions. Plus, with the help of modern tools like the PTLevel, you can enjoy the convenience of real-time water level monitoring, no matter how cold it gets outside.

Water Well Level Monitoring

Posted on August 14, 2024November 6, 2024 by parem_admin

How Much Water Do I Have in My Well?

Understanding how much water is in your well is crucial for managing your household’s water usage. A reliable water level monitoring system can provide real-time data on the amount of water in your well, helping you make informed decisions about your water consumption. The PTLevel not only monitors your well but also offers a running history of up to one month, giving you a clear picture of your well’s water levels over time. In addition, with the ability to send notifications via email or SMS, you’ll always know when your water levels are getting low. Getting notified at a water level that you decide can make all the difference.

To calculate your well volume: For rectangular prism wells, just measure the length (L) by the width (W) by the height (H). Measurements in cm divided by 1000 gives volume in litres. Measurements in feet x 6.2 gives volume in imperial gallons. To calculate volume of cylinder wells, just multiply π x radius-squared x height.

For drilled wells as deep as 70′

How Far Does My Well Level Drop During Usage?

Have you ever wondered how much your well’s water level drops when you shower, water the lawn, or do laundry? The PTLevel can provide answers by tracking how your well responds to various water demands. By monitoring you can see exactly how much your well is impacted by daily activities. This insight can help you optimize water usage and ensure your well can meet your household’s needs without running dry.

Fun Fact: It took 73 minutes for a toilet running to drain a 150 gallon RO tank to 24 gallons. Review the 3 pictures below to see how the PTLevel tracked that data and alerted to the problem.

Are Neighboring Properties Affecting My Well Supply?

In some areas, multiple properties may draw water from the same aquifer, potentially affecting each other’s supply. If you’ve noticed fluctuations in your well’s water levels that don’t correspond with your own usage, it might be worth investigating whether neighboring properties are impacting your well. The PTLevel’s continuous monitoring can help you track these changes.

Also, it might not be the neighbours using your water! Did you know willow trees drink up to 100 gallons of water per day? If your dug well is near shallow-root trees like willows, then the trees could be to blame.

The Benefits of a Well Water Level Monitoring System

A water level monitoring system like the PTLevel does more than just keep track of your well’s water levels. It can alert you to trends in water usage, identify potential issues like broken or leaking pipes, and notify you when your water levels reach critical points. By receiving alerts via text or email, you can adjust your water usage accordingly, preventing unexpected shortages and ensuring that your well remains a reliable source of water. There are many benefits to turning your well into a Smart Well!

The Right Monitoring System for Wells

We get it, the $30-$50 water level monitoring systems are tempting – but be informed with what you’re getting! Often the very inexpensive systems are made with ultrasonic sensors which are prone to fogging up and freezing, rendering them useless. Or their “long range” capabilities are only 3 meters. Some other systems seem great, but you have to pay a monthly fee to access your data! And even others seem perfect, except you have to be on-site or right beside the system to collect the data. As a result, before you buy understand what you’re looking for and make sure it checks all of the boxes!

The PTLevel is designed to operate in extreme weather conditions, ensuring accurate and reliable monitoring no matter the season. The Long Range Wireless PTLevel has a range of up to 1km. It uses a robust pressure sensor system which can handle ice, snow, rain, freezing conditions, and even extreme heat. Whether you live in an area with harsh winters or hot summers, the PTLevel is built to withstand the elements and providing you with vital information about your well’s water levels. You do not have to pay monthly for your data – it’s all included! (Yes you can upgrade to premium where you can get additional features. Eg. multiple alert recipients, unlimited alert points, and 2 years of level history. Even without upgrading, you still get all of the basic features including 1 month of history, 2 alert points, sharing with your water delivery company, and more). And as always, you can access your PTLevel data anywhere on any device; with the App or through a browser.

Conclusion

Water well level monitoring is essential for managing your water supply effectively, especially if you rely on a well for your household’s needs. With the right well monitoring system you can gain valuable insights into your water usage. Insights like detecting potential issues early, and ensure that your well remains a dependable source of water. Don’t wait until your well runs dry—invest in a PTLevel monitoring system today and take control of your water supply.

How can Water Level Monitoring Systems make homes smart?

Posted on February 15, 2024February 16, 2024 by parem_admin

How can Water Level Monitoring Systems make homes smart?

IoT devices such as door bell cameras, motion sensors, light switches, and sockets are revolutionizing our homes and lives beyond what we could have imagined. Our favorite innovation, smart water level monitoring systems, is bringing convenience, cost savings, and peace of mind to our homes. It’s also a growing trend that people want to contribute to water conservation strategies for positive climate impact as well as cost savings. Smart water level monitoring systems are helping people make informed decisions, save water, prevent unnecessary water deliveries, and alerting users to high and low alerts preventing floods and costly outages.

What is a water level monitor? It consists of a sensor device which automatically detects the level of water inside any tank. The most common sensors are pressure-based, ultrasonic, or floats. The data from the level monitor can be collected into a graph and always provides data for the user to make decisions based on.

So how can a smart water level system for your cistern or well help you? Continue reading to explore the technology and benefits behind smart water level systems for your cistern, sump, chemical tank, etc!

How do Water Level Monitoring Systems Work?

Water level monitoring systems can work in a variety of ways such as measuring liquid pressure, using floats or ultrasonic sensors to detect the height of the water. The sensors then take this captured data and transmit it to the control unit.

For the PTLevel, that means the Transmitter reports to the Receiver and then to the Cloud. First, it measures the water pressure and compares that to the atmospheric pressure. Then transmits that level data to the Receiver up to 1 km away. Then the Receiver sends that data to the cloud via your WiFi signal and your secure online portal converts that raw data to a tank percentage. With the tank percentage you can make informed decisions, review the percentage trends in the history graphs, decide when to best conserve water, and contact your water delivery provider for a water delivery.

What are the Benefits of Water Level Monitoring Systems for Homeowners?

Water level monitoring systems for cisterns, wells, sumps, chemical tanks, rain water harvesting systems, and ponds have a slew of benefits! Let’s review some of the most common benefits below:

Peace of Mind

Arguably the top benefit of water level monitoring systems is the peace of mind that comes with knowing if and when you’ll run out of water. Or, if you’re monitoring a sump pump hole for high levels, is the peace of mind knowing you’ll be alerted before your basement floods!

Recently (January 2024), one of our customers was monitoring their sump pump hole and knew before leaving for work that their sump pump was “sounding off”. The pump was supposed to kick in when their PTLevel Water Level Monitor was indicating around 75%, and stop when the sump was around 25% empty. Their alerts were set to 85% and 20% – so they would know when the sump was not operating within the desired range. Sure enough, they received a text alert indicating that the sump went below 20%! They left work to immediately go and investigate and found that the sump pump wasn’t kicking off. Getting that notification prevented the pump from running for hours while no one was home.

Water Conservation

A great advantage of water level monitoring systems is their capacity to create visual representations of water usage, which facilitates informed decision-making regarding water conservation efforts. This capability not only aligns with climate objectives but also enables users to identify and mitigate wasteful water practices. Also, for rainwater harvesting, the ability to analyze water collection trends proves instrumental in optimizing resource management strategies.

Remote Monitoring

Smart Water Level Monitoring introduces an unparalleled capability: remote water level monitoring. This advancement is particularly advantageous for vacation property managers operating off-site, individuals with inconveniently located cisterns and tanks, and those with mobility limitations hindering access to their water storage systems. Through seamless access to their application interface, both individuals and businesses gain immediate access to comprehensive and current water level data, including history graphs and low or high level alerts without having to be on-site. All of the water data is conveniently accessed via the cloud!

Leak Detection

Just like the story of the sump pump failure (under “Peace of Mind”), receiving early warnings of water trouble is priceless. By using a smart water level monitor, you gain insights into your typical water usage and you can start understanding your water trends to detect problems early. Whether it’s leaky faucet outside, a toilet that get stuck running, or a bigger problem like a crack in your tank. Detecting water leaks can happen a variety of ways, but typically it would be an actual low level notification or a trend you notice in your history graphs depending on the circumstances.

Many PTLevel water level monitor customers set their reporting settings on their device to “aggressive” for the first few weeks to really dive into the water usage data available. After they’ve collected the data, they turn the reporting settings down in order to conserve battery life on their device. You can adjust all power settings as often as you wish by simply logging into your account.

Power Settings Reporting Settings for water level monitor

ptlevel water level dashboard — ptlevel dashboard

Cost Savings

In additional to identifying leaks and reducing wasteful water usage, you can achieve other water savings by preventing wasteful water deliveries. You can schedule your water deliveries for when you actually need water without guessing by relying on data from your smart water level monitoring system. More than that, you can even share your water level data with your delivery company and they can receive alerts to complete a water delivery at the level you decide!

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many benefits to a smart water level monitoring system including cost savings, leak detection, accessing water level data remotely, and peace of mind. Review the benefits of a water level monitoring system and see if the PTLevel will be the right fit for you! If you have any questions, reach out to our support team and we would be happy to answer your questions. Smart water level monitoring systems are a great example of how IoT technology advances are making homes more efficient, eco-friendly, and smart.

Comparing Pressure Sensors and Ultrasonic Sensors for Liquid Level Management

Posted on November 30, 2023August 1, 2024 by parem_admin

A Comparative Analysis of Pressure and Ultrasonic Sensors for Liquid Measurement

In the realm of liquid measurement, selecting the appropriate sensor is crucial for accurate and reliable results. We’ve put together a comparative analysis of pressure sensors and ultrasonic sensors used for liquid level monitoring and measurement. We hope the details on advantages and considerations are helpful as you plan your liquid level management. Among the myriad options available for liquid level measurement, pressure sensors and ultrasonic sensors stand out as two prominent contenders. This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparative analysis of these sensors, aiding readers in making an informed decision based on their specific application requirements. (Spoiler alert – we think pressure sensors, especially the PTlevel, win!)

Pressure Sensors

Benefits: Provides greater accuracy, cost-effective, can handle environmental extremes, low maintenance

Ultrasonic Sensors

Benefits: Non-contact with liquid, easy installation

Pressure Sensors (like the PTLevel):

Pressure sensors operate on the principle of detecting the force exerted by a liquid on the sensor element. These sensors excel at measuring liquid depth, finding widespread application in tasks such as monitoring tank levels, overseeing industrial processes, tracking cistern levels, monitoring septic and holding tanks, and managing rainwater harvesting systems. Here are some key advantages and considerations when opting for pressure sensors:

Advantages of Pressure Sensors:

Accuracy and Precision: Pressure sensors exhibit remarkable accuracy and precision, particularly in applications where precise pressure measurements are essential. The PTLevel uses a 0kpa-100kpa sensor with an accuracy of 0.096kpa per bit, which is about 9.78mm of resolution.

Cost-Effectiveness: In many cases, pressure sensors are more cost-effective than their ultrasonic counterparts, making them a preferred choice for budget-conscious projects. And in every case we can find, the PTLevel beats the price of comparative systems with ultrasonic sensors!

Reliability in Specific Environments: Pressure sensors perform well in environments with challenging environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, freezing temperatures, or corrosive substances. Condensation, frost, and high humidity are not a concern for pressure sensors. (Yes, the PTLevel is also chemical resistant, weather resistant -40°C to 100°C temperature range, and built by Canadians for tough North American winters, making it ready to handle your most challenging environment!)

Low Maintenance: Pressure sensors require very little, or easy maintenance to operate accurately. For instance, pressure sensors sometimes have to have their “pressure” calibrated or reset. In the case of the PTLevel, we recommend seasonal maintenance to reset the air-pocket.

Considerations of Pressure Sensors:

Contact-Based Measurement: Pressure sensors require direct contact with the liquid. However, because the PTLevel is constructed with chemical-resistant materials and designed to withstand ice, snow, heat, and rain, you can confidently navigate any challenging liquid-level monitoring situation.

Installation Challenges: Depending on the application, installing pressure sensors may prove more complex than ultrasonic sensors, especially in scenarios where establishing physical contact with the liquid poses challenges. However, the PTLevel has eased this challenge by being designed for easy installation. Just connect the air pressure tubing to the pressure chamber and lower the pressure chamber into your liquid.

Ultrasonic Sensors:

Ultrasonic sensors utilize sound waves to measure the distance to the liquid surface. They are most known for their non-contact nature and are commonly employed in applications like wastewater monitoring. Here are some key points to consider:

Advantages of Ultrasonic Sensors:

Non-Contact Measurement: Ultrasonic sensors excel in scenarios where non-contact measurement is essential, preventing contamination of the liquid or potential damage to the sensor.

Easy Installation: These sensors are generally easier to install compared to pressure sensors, as they don’t require direct contact with the liquid.

Considerations of Ultrasonic Sensors:

Environmental Factors: Ultrasonic sensors may face difficulty in environments with high levels of dust, humidity, temperature fluctuations, or freezing temperatures. These factors can impact the accuracy of measurements. As soon as the sensor gets covered in dust, condensation, or frost, it can no longer provide accurate measurements.

Cost: While ultrasonic sensors offer unique advantages, they can be more expensive than pressure sensors, which may influence the decision-making process.

Maintenance: Dust, dirt, frost, and condensation or other debris can accumulate on the sensor, affecting the sensor’s performance. Regularly clean the sensor with a soft, lint-free cloth to ensure clear transmission and reception of ultrasonic signals.

Choosing the Right Sensor:

Ultimately, the choice between pressure and ultrasonic sensors depends on the specific requirements of the application. Factors such as accuracy, cost, installation complexity, and environmental conditions play a pivotal role in this decision-making process. Careful consideration of these factors will ensure that the selected sensor aligns perfectly with the goals of the liquid measurement system.

In conclusion, both pressure and ultrasonic sensors have their merits, and the optimal choice hinges on the unique demands of the application at hand. But we hope we’ve convinced you, the PTLevel is the perfect solution (with a 30-day money-back guarantee).

The PTLevel; Liquid Level Monitor with Pressure Sensor

Weather Resistant

Every PTLevel device is meticulously crafted to thrive in outdoor environments. Designed for -40°C to 85°C temperature range and handle snow, ice, or rain. And with using innovative Lora technology, 1 km or more can be achieved depending on the environment.

Accurate

Leveraging a state-of-the-art 0-100kPa pressure sensor and cutting-edge circuitry and software, the PTLevel ensures precise liquid level measurements. Enjoy peace of mind with its extended 2+ year battery life, receive timely alerts for low or high levels, and access a comprehensive liquid level history.

Cost Effective

Starting as low as $209.99 USD with no annual fees (for the Wired WiFi PTLevel) and $299.99 USD with no annual fees (for the Long Range Wireless PTLevel), it’s an affordable liquid measurement option! By avoiding equipment damage caused by water outages and staying informed to schedule water deliveries only when necessary, you’ll not only enhance efficiency but also realize substantial cost savings.

What You May Want to Know Before Buying a PTLevel

Posted on May 10, 2023August 1, 2024 by parem_admin

What Customers Want to Know Before Buying a PTLevel

Many customers have a few extra questions before purchasing their first PTLevel, and we want to answer those questions! Below are a few frequently-asked questions, what you want to know, before buying a PTLevel.

What You May Want to Know Before Buying – What’s the Range?

What is the range on the PTLevel?

Long Range Wireless PTLevel: The range on the Long Range Wireless PTLevel can be up to 1km! Factors such as grade (is the transmitter installed below grade?), obstructions (are there any large cement or metal obstructions between the Receiver and Transmitter?), line of sight (are there trees and hills in the way?) can lower the range.

Concerned? If our device doesn’t work for your scenario, we have a 30 day money-back guarantee (minus the cost of shipping). Before buying a PTLevel, review the distance between the tank and where you will plug in the Receiver to determine if there are any major obstacles.

WiFi Wired PTLevel: The Wired WiFi PTLevel requires a strong WiFi signal (70%+) at your tank.

Once your device is setup, you’ll be able to check the WiFi signal right from your dashboard.

What Customers Want to Know Before Buying – Will It Work in My Tank?

What kind of tanks can I measure with the PTLevel?

Some customers have the question, “will this work for my tank?” before buying. The Long Range Wireless PTLevel and the WiFi Wired PTLevel are both designed for a multitude of tank sizes and kinds. Basically, they will measure any liquid that has a consistent density and is between the depth of 1.5” and 18′. Note: The standard length of tubing is 13′, so if you need additional tubing make sure to order that when you check out!

The most common tanks are rain water harvesting systems, cisterns, wells, dug wells, ponds, tanks, chemical tanks, septics, sumps, reverse osmosis tanks, fertilizer tanks, peroxide tanks, and reservoirs. Before buying a PTLevel, if you intend to install it in a spetic tank we recommend you review the septic tank installation here and reach out to us with any questions.

The Pressure Chamber is made out of chemical resistant materials and is potable-water safe. The pressure tubing used is 5/32″OD ether based polyurethane and is also chemical resistant and potable water safe.

What Customers Want to Know Before Buying – Wireless or WiFi?

Which device is right for me?

What Customers Want to Know Before Buying – Maintenance

How often do I need to do maintenance?

Many customers want to know how much maintenance they will need to be doing before buying a PTLevel. Once every three months or seasonally we suggest that you pull the tubing and weight out of the tank. Let it drain for a second or two and give it a quick inspection. If you have a clear tube, check to see if there is any water or moisture in it. If there is, please see this article: Low or 0% Readings . Then just simply drop the weight back into the tank.

If you have the Wireless PTLevel, just be sure to press on the “Connect” button on the transmitter to get the latest reading. Calibrate if desired.

What Customers Want to Know Before Buying – All About Support

What happens if I have a problem?

We’re only a click away! For real, put in a Support Ticket here if you need help. We also have lots of Support Articles to help guide you through set up, troubleshooting, etc! If you put in a ticket, our team will get back to you within about 24-48 hours and is made up of Technicians, Sales, and Developers right here in Ontario, Canada. We want to make it right!

What You May Want to Know Before Buying – The WebApp

You have a WebApp, not an App, what does that mean for me?

First, let’s start with explaining what an App is. A Mobile App runs on your actual device (such as your phone). Although there are many benefits to a Mobile App such as not requiring internet, there are many limits especially to to the PTLevel. Since the PTLevel updates its level data via the cloud, internet will always be required to view PTLevel data when you are not within your WIFI connection.

A WebApp requires internet access to work. A WebApp is also adaptive to any environment (such as tablet, phone, computer, android, iPhone, etc!) This allows the PTLevel WebApp to work on any device you have now or in the future without new downloads, updates, etc.

Without downloading anything, the WebApp is available instantly when you set up your PTLevel. To login to your WebApp visit ptdevices.com. Before buying a PTLevel, people often want to know if their device is compatible with the PTLevel, and we can asnwer “yes” everytime!

Just like a Mobile App, a WebApp shortcut can be added to your phone/tablet home screen and will look and feel just like a Mobile App. To setup a shortcut, check out this article.

What Customers Want to Know Before Buying – Warranty

What is the warranty?

We have a great warranty on everything we manufacture. Customers want to know if we stand behind our product before they purchase and if they can get ahold of us if something isn’t right with their PTLevel. We stand behind our craftmanship which is why we offer a 2 year warranty against any manufactured defect and a 30 day full refund (minus shipping costs) if the device doesn’t work for your scenario. Read all about it here!

What You May Want to Know Before Buying – I Have More Questions

You didn’t answer my question…

No worries, we have lots more information to help you! Visit our Support Page here and search the articles for what you are looking for. For example, search “Alexa” to see all of the articles related to our Amazon Alexa integration or “Low Reading” to find our troubleshooting information!

So what do customers want to know before buying a PTLevel? A lot of things that we would be happy to answer! Please reach out to us so we can answer your questions!

And yes you can order a new pressure chamber if you dropped it into your tank and can’t get it out… And yes you can order new tubing if you cut it with the lawn mower by accident… If you need new parts, send us a support ticket!

Choosing a Rain Water Collection System

Posted on January 16, 2020March 14, 2024 by parem_admin

Choosing a Rain Water Collection System

Many of our customers harvest rain water to store it for later use, and then use our PTLevel devices to monitor their Rain Water Collection Systems. The PTLevel and Rain Water Harvesting make a great pair! However, selecting the right rain water collection system can be tricky.

The Basics:

Rain Water Harvesting
Rain Water Collection
Rain Water Catchment
Roof Water Collection
and Rooftop Water Collection – they all mean the same thing. It’s the idea of collecting rain water run-off from a structure and then storing it for later use.

Recently, rain water harvesting has had some controversy in some areas of the world. In fact, in some cities it is illegal to collect and store rainwater. In many other areas of the world there are strict rules about collection. Make sure to research the rules and regulations for your area before choosing a rain water collection system. But if Rain Water Harvesting is right for you, keep reading! And if you think the PTLevel is right for you and your water monitoring needs, find our more here.

Benefits of Rain Water Harvesting

-rain is free

-rain water is generally clean (purification is needed before drinking it)

-use your harvested rain water anytime (still follow your city rules on water restrictions, if any)

-rainwater is actually better for your plants and landscape because it does not have chlorine or other chemicals in it

-collecting rain water can help improve your water run-off and storm-water runoff problems

-rain water collection systems are easy to maintain

-typically rain water harvesting systems can be easily retrofitted to existing homes and structures with no significant investments needed

-stored rain water can be a back-up source of water for emergencies

-rain water harvesting can reduce the need for imported water from other communities

-you’ve probably heard of food-miles, well rain water collection reduces your water-miles. (reduced water trucking or even water piped to your residence)

-using rain water to replace your municipal water usage can reduce your water bill and save you money

-and more

Different Rain Water Harvesting Methods

Rain Barrels

By far the most common method, the general idea is that you install a rain barrel at a downspout to collect rain. This is an incredibly easy way to test to see if rain water harvesting is right for you. Rain barrels can be an up-cycled barrel you already have laying around or a readily-available barrel purchased from your local hardware store. Barrels are typically small and don’t take up a large footprint. However, rain barrel systems are small and usually max out at 50-100 gallons as well as can easily overflow causing runoff issues.

“Dry” System

Called a dry system because the downspout will “dry” between collections when the water empties into the larger tank, it is similar to a rain collection system, just bigger. This system is ideal if you need more than 50-100 gallons of water storage, or if you live in weather areas when rain is infrequent but comes in with large weather events that bring in a lot of water at once. This is again a low-cost and low-maintenance system. Locate the large water storage tank close to the structure where water is collected (such as your house).

“Wet” System

This is a more complex and costly system; however, if setup properly, can offer an increased water storage capacity as well as storage away from buildings. With this type of system you can also collect rain water from multiple gutters. To set up this system, start by choosing a location for your water storage tank away from your house, but ensuring it is located in an area that your gutters are higher than the tank inlet. Next you can plan, design, and then build your underground pipe system (all of your pipes and valves must be water-tight). Make sure to consult a professional to design this system efficiently and safely.

The good news is that the PTLevel Wireless or Wired can be used with any of these systems! The PTLevel can accurately monitor your Rain Water Collection Systems with how much water you have stored, as well as track water history for up to 2 years with the premium features. The Wired WiFi PTLevel can easily be installed in tanks within WIFI range and that have access to a power outlet, and the Long Range PTLevel can be installed up to 1km from your WiFI signal!

We would be happy to answer any questions you have about installing a PTLevel and monitoring your Rain Harvesting Collection Systems – contact us today! Please check out additional information about cisterns and tank management here.