In this video, we’ll review the basic steps required to service a standard Pro Flush water system in the Service Sanitation fleet. Keep in mind, while the size and box type of Pro Flush units may vary, the basic steps of inspecting, filling, pumping,
Step 1: Verify Unit Number and Sign Date Sticker
To begin, the first thing we’ll need to do when we arrive onsite is to review the work order or route sheet to verify that the unit number we’re about to service matches that on your paperwork. This is a very important step because some sites can have multiple Pro-Flush systems on site. Once verified, we’ll legibly sign and date the date sticker in the appropriate boxes. This step is very important because customers can, and often will, use incorrect dates as a way for us to return to reservice the system.
Step 2: Inspect for Leaks
Now that we’ve signed the date sticker, it’s important to visually inspect the inside of the box and the surrounding area for any leaks which may have sprung. We’ll first check under the trailer, around the box, and around the ejector pit looking for any signs of water or waste. If a leak is observed, we’ll want to contact a member of our Pro-Flush maintenance team by clicking here. If all checks out, we’ll then move on to inspecting the water and waste levels in the two tanks.
The water tank can often be identified as the tank with a water hose coming out of the bottom of it, while the waste tank can be identified as the tank equipped with white PVC pipes going into it. As we inspect the water levels of the two tanks, we’ll check to see that the levels equal out, since most of the water that's used inside the trailer comes directly back out and into the waste tank. For example, if it appears the water tank is only 1/3 of the way full, that would mean the waste tank should be 2/3 of the way full. If the levels in the two tanks are drastically different and don’t equal out, there’s most likely a leak happening somewhere.
If we suspect a leak taking place, we’ll try to trace where it’s coming from. If we can’t find it, or the way to resolve the issue isn’t clear, we’ll need to call the Pro Flush team before doing anything else so they can help us troubleshoot the issue before continuing the service.
Step 3: Evacuate the Waste Tank
Once we’ve ensured there are no leaks, it’s time to evacuate the waste tank. We’ll begin by unravelling the hose from our truck and activating our PTO. With the hose loose and the PTO running, we’ll locate the dump valve on the side of the box and uncouple the 2” cap. As we’re doing this, it’s important to place our vacuum hose below the valve to catch any residual waste that may have accumulated in the cap during use and preventing it from falling on the ground.
Once the cap is removed, we’ll secure our hose to the cam fitting and the waste will move from inside the waste holding tank and into our truck. When the waste holding tank is almost empty, your hose will start to wiggle aggressively on the ground. This is a good indication that the tank is almost empty, and the pumping process is complete. With the truck’s PTO still engaged, we’ll carefully remove the hose from the fittings and hold it under the valve to catch any residual waste that may still be in the line. If any waste spills on the ground, we’ll need to clean it up. Once the lines are empty, we’ll close the valve, recap it, wind up the hose, and disengage our truck’s PTO.
Step 4: Fill Fresh Water
Now that the waste tank is pumped, it’s time to fill the freshwater tank. To do this, we’ll need to look to the outside of the box for a 1 ½ ” cam lock fitting. The cam lock fitting will fit the hoses of most Pro-Flush water trucks; however, a typical route truck equipped with a smaller hose may require an adapter to make the connection. If your truck doesn’t have the required adapter, you can still fill the water tank by inserting your hose into the top of the water tank.
Once our hose is secured in place, we’ll open the freshwater valve and watch the tank fill. As the tank begins to rise, it’s extremely important that we only fill the tank halfway up the tapered part of the tank. This is because the freshwater tank and the wastewater tanks are exactly the same size. If we filled the freshwater to the very top of the tank, the contents collected in the waste tank could overflow over time due to a lack of space for the solids that are collected during use.
It’s also important that we always fill the tank to the appropriate level. For example, filling the water tank halfway would create confusion for a future driver who arrives at a later date to service, leading them to believe there is a leak somewhere in the system. Always fill to the appropriate level and nothing less. If there isn’t enough water on the truck to fill the tank to the appropriate level, we’ll need to note it on our paperwork or tablet, so the next driver is fully aware of the issue. Once the tank is full, we’ll close the valves on our hose, wind it up, and proceed to the next step.
Step 5: Run Sinks, Flush Toilets, Add Blue
Once we’re finished servicing the tanks, we’ll need to head inside the trailer and run the hot and cold water for each faucet. We’ll then flush each toilet and add 16 ounces of blue to one of the toilets as it’s being flushed. It’s important that we never pour the blue in prior to flushing the toilet, as this will cause the blue to splatter all over and create a big mess.
Once complete, we’ll head back outside to the Pro-Flush box and listen for the water pump as the toilets fill up. When the toilets have finished flushing and refilling, the water pump will shut off. This will signify that there is now pressure in the lines and the system is ready for use. If the pump continues to run, it means there is a problem in the system and the Pro-Flush Maintenance team should be immediately notified. Once the water pump checks out, we’ll also want to check the space heater inside the box during the winter months to ensure it’s working properly. If the box is warm inside, do not adjust the heater as they are set for the power provided to the system. If you suspect there may be a heater issue, always contact the Pro-Flush maintenance team immediately before leaving the site.
Finally, we’ll do one last inspection of the surrounding area inside and outside of the box to ensure there are no leaks. If all checks out, we’ll close the box up, secure the door, complete our paperwork, and head to our next stop.