Category: Tips & Tricks

Environmental and Financial Benefits of Proper Winterization

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Proper winterization of your irrigation system offers a range of benefits that extend beyond environmental conservation, positively impacting your homeowner’s bottom line. Let’s explore the symbiotic relationship between responsible winterization practices, ecological sustainability, and the financial advantages they bring to homeowners.

Water Conservation: Saving Money Drop by Drop

One of the primary environmental benefits of winterization is water conservation, which translates directly into financial savings. When your irrigation system is not winterized correctly, water can freeze within the pipes and components, leading to costly repairs and water wastage. Leaks that result from frozen pipes can drive up your water bill significantly.

Conducting a thorough winterization prevents leaks and water wastage, saving you money in both repair costs and water bills. It’s a simple yet effective way to bolster your bottom line.

Reduced Energy Costs: Keeping the Dollars from Going Up in Smoke

Beyond saving water, proper winterization reduces energy consumption. Irrigation systems often rely on electric or gas-powered pumps to deliver water to your landscape. When pipes freeze, these pumps have to work harder, consuming more energy and increasing utility bills.

By winterizing your system and avoiding freezing-related damage, you protect your equipment and contribute to lower energy consumption. This reduces energy bills, putting more money back into your pocket.

Preventing Costly Landscape Damage

A well-maintained irrigation system is essential for the health of your landscape, and neglecting winterization can lead to costly landscape repairs. Frozen or waterlogged soil can damage your plants and trees, requiring expensive replacements or intensive rehabilitation in the spring.

By properly winterizing your system, you ensure the health and longevity of your landscape, saving you the substantial costs associated with landscape repair and replacement. Your well-kept landscape can even boost your property’s curb appeal and value.

Preserving Home Values

Your home is likely one of your most significant investments, and its value is tied closely to the condition of your property. Neglecting winterization can lead to damage beyond your irrigation system, affecting your home’s foundation, walkways, and more.

Proper winterization helps preserve your home’s structural integrity and curb appeal. By safeguarding your investment, you ensure your property retains its value or even appreciates over time.

Responsible Chemical Management and Sustainable Landscaping: Saving on Maintenance Costs

Winterization isn’t just about preventing damage; it also encourages responsible chemical management and sustainable landscaping practices. When chemicals freeze within your system and are flushed into the environment, it can lead to expensive cleanup and remediation efforts.

By winterizing and maintaining your system, you mitigate the risk of chemical contamination, reducing the potential costs associated with environmental cleanup. Additionally, sustainable landscaping practices promoted through proper winterization can lead to ongoing maintenance and landscaping cost savings.

Conclusion

Properly winterizing your irrigation system isn’t just about environmental stewardship; it’s also a wise financial decision. You positively impact your bottom line by saving on repair costs, reducing energy consumption, preserving your landscape, protecting your home’s value, and encouraging responsible landscaping practices. As you embrace responsible winterization, you’re investing in your property’s long-term health and securing your financial well-being.

 

Take Action Today!

Ensure your irrigation system is winter-ready and start reaping the benefits. Contact Waterworks Irrigation now to schedule your winterization service and safeguard your investment. Don’t wait; secure your property’s long-term health and financial well-being today.

How to Prepare Your Landscape Lighting for Winter

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Fixtures

If you live in an area where the weather is cold and the days are short, you might want to change the fixtures in your landscape lighting system. This can be an ideal time to change to a more energy-efficient lighting system or to switch out your bulbs for LED. LED lights tend to last longer and save you money over time.

It can be particularly hard on your outdoor lighting fixtures when winter hits. Rain, ice, and mud can cake onto the lenses of your fixtures, reducing their brightness. You should also replace any burned-out bulbs as they drain electricity and cause the remaining bulbs’ to overload.

Wires

When planning to use lighting in your landscape, it’s essential to keep these wires clean and in good repair during the winter. Snow accumulation, drifting snow, and high winds can cause outdoor lighting fixtures to become crooked. To avoid this, you can post indicator flags on your fixtures so that your snow removal company can know their location and ensure that the lights are working correctly.

If you find wires buried below the soil, conceal them at least 6 inches deep to protect the landscape lighting system from the elements. An exposed wire is not only a tripping hazard but can also be chewed by wild animals.

Maintenance

During the winter, landscape lighting fixtures need to be appropriately maintained. Dirt, mineral deposits, and other debris can reduce the light emitted by your fixtures. You can clean these fixtures using a non-abrasive cloth and CLR-type cleaner. You should also ensure that you don’t damage any fixtures during the winter by dropping ice or snow on them.

When preparing your landscape lighting for the winter, it’s essential that you clear snow from all of its fixtures and lenses. If you use halogen bulbs, they can emit enough heat to melt snow. In contrast, LED bulbs produce less heat and do not melt snow. Also, make sure you bury your wires before the ground freezes. If the wires are exposed, they might be damaged or corroded.

Locations

In winter months, it’s essential to check your outdoor landscape lighting locations to ensure they’re still working. Landscape lights should be appropriately positioned to provide adequate illumination and prevent tripping hazards. When putting up outdoor fixtures, you should make sure they’re secure against high winds and snow. You can also put up flags to indicate the locations of lights, so they’re easy to find.

Choose fixtures that come with a lifetime warranty to keep outdoor lighting fixtures safe from water damage. Quality fixtures should withstand snow and rain. Make sure to check them regularly, especially after a heavy snowfall.

Cleaning

To ensure your landscape lighting stays in great shape throughout the winter, clean the lenses of your fixtures. Dust and mud can coat the lenses, reducing their brightness. Use an all-purpose household cleaning solution to remove these substances. It is also vital to replace any burned-out bulbs. The longer they stay unlit, the more electricity they use.

Landscape lighting cleaning should be done once or twice a year. Ideally, in the spring after the winter season. If you are unsure about how to clean your outdoor lighting, you can hire a professional service to do the job. This way, you won’t have to worry about disrupting your daily routine.

Repositioning

When winter comes, it’s time to reposition your landscape lighting. This is harsh on outdoor lights, so they can be damaged if you’re not careful. Keep an eye out for signs of broken fixtures, like dark patches.

To avoid damaging your lighting, make sure that you clean them regularly. A clean fixture will last longer and won’t need to be replaced when spring rolls around. You can also opt for frosted lenses, giving the illumination a softer look. Another great idea is to place path lighting in your landscape. This will prevent people from falling, which can be dangerous when wet. In addition, path lighting will make your landscape more inviting.

 

Need help getting your Landscape lighting for winter?

Winter is coming, so it’s time to winterize your landscape lighting! Here at Waterworks, we provide a range of services to ensure your lights are ready for the cold. We’ve got you covered if you need us to install new lighting or take care of maintenance and repairs.

 

Get in touch with us today to get started!

Helpful Tips to Save Water During Water Restrictions

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If you’re facing a water restriction, you may be wondering how to conserve water. Here are some helpful tips to get you through the summer months:

Use water efficiently

You may have heard of water conservation measures and even considered implementing them in your own home. Luckily, there are many simple ways to save water in your home, including using water-efficient faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads. You may also consider a low-flow toilet and other high efficiency plumbing fixtures.

For your lawn, allowing your grass to grow taller provides, slow water evaporation, shade the roots, and prevent weeds. For optimal water conservation, your lawn should have about four inches of grass.

An unmaintained irrigation system could be leaking water without your knowledge! Waterworks Irrigation specializes in the setup and maintenance of efficient irrigation systems.

Fixing leaky faucets

When you’re on a water restriction, fixing leaky faucets is more important than you might think. Not only do dripping faucets wastewater, but they also cost you money. Every gallon you use will be tacked on to your water bill. In addition to costing you money, dripping faucets can lead to mold growth. Because mold loves water, leaks can create a breeding ground for the fungus. Not only does this damage your faucet, but it can also pose a health risk to you and your family. It’s easy to forget to turn off faucets properly after every use, but if you’re paying close attention, you can save countless gallons of water each year by fixing leaky faucets.

Besides fixing leaky faucets, you can also replace fixtures. To save even more water, look for fixtures with a WaterSense label. These fixtures use at least 20% less water than standard faucets.

Replacing or upgrading water-using appliances

If you’re tired of wasting water, try replacing or upgrading a water-using appliance. Although this may be an up-front investment, it’s well worth it if you can cut your water consumption by half. Not only will this help the environment, but it will also help your wallet. Here are some ways to cut down your water use when using appliances:

  • Find out which appliances are the biggest water wasters in your house. Check for energy savings and water conservation features when shopping for a new washing machine or dishwasher.
  • Also, make sure the washer or dishwasher is completely full before starting.
  • Make sure to check the water level in evaporative coolers, and replace the pads regularly.
  • Inspect the pump and float to ensure that they’re working properly.

Looking for more water-saving advice?

Contact us for answers to your specific questions, or to request a quote!

Why Do I Need To Winterize My Irrigation System?

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If you have an outdoor irrigation system, there are a few steps you can take to prepare it for winter. This includes draining leftover water, insulating the pipes, and protecting the main shut-off valve. It will also be helpful to bring your outdoor hoses inside, so they don’t freeze and crack.

Water pipes

To prevent damage to the irrigation system from freezing, it’s essential to winterize your water pipes. Proper winterization will prevent frozen pipes and costly repairs in the spring. There are a couple of methods you can use to winterize your lawn irrigation system.

Make sure the irrigation system’s backflow preventer is removed. It’s typically held in place by union connections. Disconnect the backflow preventer by unscrewing it from the bends. Wrap the insulation pipe with plastic or sheet insulation. Then secure the plastic with foam tape.

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Insulate backflow preventers

It is important to drain your lawn irrigation system and winterize backflow preventers for safety reasons. You can empty your lawn irrigation system, open the backflow preventer device, and blow out the water. If you are unsure how to do this, call us!

The backflow preventer is located outside your home or in the basement. It is usually near the water shutoff valve in a control box near the water meter. To access it, turn the ball valves in the control box to a 45-degree angle. You may need to open the test valves on the backflow preventer to ensure the water drains completely.

You can winterize your lawn irrigation system in cold climates by wrapping the backflow preventer with insulation. Use self-sticking foam insulating tape to cover the backflow preventer, but ensure that you don’t obstruct drain outlets or air vents.

Contact us today

 

Drain leftover water

Before winter sets in, it’s essential to drain leftover water from your lawn irrigation system. The cold weather can cause these pipes to freeze and crack, so you should drain them before freezing temperatures begin. You can also use insulating tape or plastic bags to prevent freezing and bursting. But remember, this is a potentially dangerous task that should be done by an irrigation professional. You should also wear protective gear, such as eye and hand protection.

Several ways to winterize your lawn irrigation system include manually draining it or automatically turning off the water supply. Manual draining is preferred if your system has manual drain valves on low points. In addition, you should open the boiler drain valve to drain any remaining water.

You can also use an air compressor to empty the water from your irrigation system. If you don’t have one, you can use the hose spigot to disconnect the water supply. If the water supply is not shut off, you can use a wet/dry shop vac to remove the remaining water. Close the manual drain valves.

Book your Winterization Service Today

Protect the main shut-off valve

Before winter sets in, ensure the main shut-off valve is protected from freezing. The valve should be wrapped in insulating foam or sealed with plastic. You can purchase this at your local home improvement store. This will prevent water from freezing and avoid damage to the valve.

You can also protect the valve by wrapping it in a heavy plastic bag. The main shut-off valve is usually located near the main water meter and should be protected from freezing. You can either install a valve inside a heated room, bury it below the frost line near the water meter, or mount it outdoors above ground.

If your lawn irrigation system has a main shut-off valve, you must winterize it to prevent freezing. You can also cover other valves to avoid condensation. Make sure the valve is insulated and that all above-ground piping is insulated. The backflow prevention device should also be drained and insulated.

 

Are you looking for professional irrigation sprinkler winterization and de-winterization services near you?

Waterworks Irrigation provides holistic assistance in effectively draining and winterizing irrigation sprinkler systems, whether a pesky leak plagues your system, a needed complete overhaul, or needs to be adequately drained and winterized for the season.

 

Get in touch with us today to get started – we promise you won’t regret it!

How to Winterize Your Water Feature

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If you want your water feature running all year, you need to follow simple steps. First, drain the water feature, including the central basin. Drain the plumbing lines. This will keep pipes freezing up during the winter. Secondly, apply a granular contact algaecide.

Precautions to take

Depending on the type of water feature, several precautions can be taken when winterizing it. For example, you should always drain the central basin and any plumbing lines. This will help prevent any water from freezing and cracking the foundation of your water feature.

While it’s possible to leave your water feature running for a few weeks in milder climates, most water features are best disassembled and stored indoors. This will prevent damage to the water pump and plumbing. This can save you time and money. Also, if you live in a temperate climate, you’ll need to remove the filter liners.

Covering your water feature

Depending on your climate, you may be able to leave your water feature running during the winter months. This can produce spectacular ice formations. To avoid this issue, you should cover your water feature before winter begins. You should also disconnect your pump and remove any water from your water feature. Once this is done, cover the water feature completely. Covering your water feature can help protect your investment and avoid expensive repairs.

Contact us for more information

Using GreenClean

If you’re preparing to close your outdoor water feature for the winter, you need to winterize it properly. The first step is clearing away debris. You can do this by vacuuming or pressure washing it.

The next step is to drain the water feature. This ensures your water feature won’t break during winter. During the winter, a water feature can be a beautiful sight.

Learn more 

Using a granular contact algaecide

As the cold weather sets in, it’s essential to winterize your water feature before the first frost. Removing plants and cleaning debris from the bottom of your pump vault is also necessary. Then apply a water-activated granular contact algaecide.

Algae can still accumulate even if you don’t have fish, leaves, or other organic debris. Beneficial bacteria can help clean the water and feed on string algae.

Using a fountain cover

The winter months can be harsh for water features, so protecting them from water accumulation is important. You can protect them with a fountain cover. Fountain covers are available in various sizes and should be tied securely to keep the water out. Without a cover, snow melt can accumulate and permanently damage your fountain. Since the concrete used in fountains is porous, water can quickly freeze and cause cracks in the stone. It can also split the fountain’s vessel.

A fountain cover can be made of tarpaulin or polyester-coated PVC. If you don’t want to buy a cover, you can use an old bath towel, burlap, or other dry fabric. A fabric cover will prevent water from freezing and expanding against the water fountain bowl, leading to damage and delays next spring.

Book your winterization today

Turning off your water feature

If you’ve got a water feature in your yard, you may be tempted to leave it on during the winter. The freezing temperatures can cause cracks in rocks and stones in fountains, streams, and other water features. Winterization is essential to prevent damage, even if you don’t have a pond or a water feature with bubbling rocks.

You’ll also need to drain water from your water feature’s plumbing lines, and you’ll want to disconnect your water feature’s power source. This will prevent water from freezing inside the pipes, leading to costly damage.

 

Need help getting your Water Feature winter ready?

It’s time to prepare your water features for the cold weather. Here at Waterworks, we provide a range of water feature services – from installation to regular service checks to winterization. So if you’re worried about your fountain or pond freezing this winter, don’t be! Let us take care of everything. We can have your water feature looking great and running smoothly all winter long.

 

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The Perks of Installing a Drip Irrigation System

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Drip irrigation has gained momentum among farming and gardening communities over the past few years. While this type of micro-irrigation system appears to do the bare minimum, it has more to it than what meets the eye, including cost-effectiveness and water conservation.
However, before we explore the benefits of installing a drip irrigation system, let us take a quick look at how it works.

What is Drip Irrigation?

Drip irrigation, which is also referred to as trickling irrigation, provides water to the crop root zone slowly and regularly. Simply put, drip irrigation is the process of steadily distributing water to plants at ground level.

This irrigation system aims to water your plants directly from the roots rather than spray them on their surfaces. As a result, your plants will receive an optimum amount of moisture content in one specific area, keeping them healthy and luscious.

Drip irrigation can be used on lawns, golf courses, home gardens, nurseries, city balconies, rooftops, decks, and more. This makes it suitable for residential and commercial use.

What Types Of Drip Irrigation Systems Are Out There?

Trickle or drip irrigation systems are classified into four categories based on the type of emitters they have to control the quantity and rate of water discharge.

Point-source emitters

Also known as drip bubblers, point source drip irrigation systems are specifically designed for shrubs, trees, native plants and, containers where wide or random spacing is required.

In-line drip emitters

These drip irrigation systems are ideal for watering continuous rows of plants, narrow plantings, and kitchen gardens.

Basin bubblers

These systems are generally used in lawns and gardens when there is no nearby drainage main pipe.

Micro spray sprinkler

It is a low-pressure and low-to-medium volume irrigation system best suited for high-value crops in farms.

Emitters come in different shapes, sizes, and internal designs depending on the purpose they are intended for. The significant advantage is that you get to choose how much water you give to each plant, depending on its moisture requirements. This not only prevents overwatering but also eliminates the need for you to physically water your plants, saving you time.

Advantages of a Drip Irrigation System

With water supplies dwindling and water costs rising, drip irrigation systems have never been more in demand. Why, you may ask? Let us break it down for you.

Significantly Decreases The Wastage of Water

Drip irrigation systems usually use half the amount of water to keep your plants hydrated compared to conventional overhead sprinklers. This is because your plants are watered at the roots. As a result, by directly targeting the root zone, water isn’t wasted on areas that won’t benefit the plant.

Moreover, while irrigation methods only supply about 70% of moisture to the soil, drip irrigation systems deliver 20% more. This also decreases the amount of water your plants lose due to evaporation.

Highly Cost-Effective

Drip irrigation can save up to 50% of the energy you need to power your typical irrigation system. Compared to its high-pressure, high-energy competitors, it also boosts water efficiency by 40-70%. As a result, you can look forward to significantly cutting down on your water and energy utility bills.

Improved Plant Health

Drip irrigation lets water seep into the soil deeply and gently, supplying much-needed moisture to the roots. The method ensures consistent watering, which results in healthier plants.
Moreover, these systems keep the leaves dry, reducing the risk of powdery mildew and other diseases that thrive in damp environments. By spreading water directly around the blossoms, they also starve weed seeds and lower their germination chances.

Saves Time

Unlike traditional watering methods, you don’t have to drag sprinklers and hoses to water your garden from one place to another. Instead, they are strategically positioned on the ground and fixed depending on your plant watering needs. Moreover, you can install a smart timer to automatically start your system and stop it based on the times you set.

Simple Design

A drip irrigation system is straightforward to operate scale up. It can also be easily upgraded by adding fittings, accessories, and smart devices for remote control.

Seamless appearance

With a drip irrigation system, you can readily conceal the pipes with foliage or organic mulch to reduce aesthetic concerns. This will make your yard look more appealing and compliment your garden decor.

The Bottom Line: Drip Irrigation Equals Smart Irrigation

Drip irrigation systems are by far one of the most efficient, affordable, and effective irrigation systems available. Moreover, they allow you to hydrate your plants when required and at the rates necessary for optimum growth. Apart front this, it also keeps the soil at a healthy moisture level, allowing your plants to thrive.

However, while a drip irrigation system is an excellent choice for smart irrigation, not installing one properly, let alone choosing the right one, can quickly turn your investment into a disaster waiting to happen.

At Waterworks Irrigation, we make this process easier for you. Our drip irrigation installation experts will help you choose the right system and components. Moreover, we will strategically plan its layout and install it to ensure that your plants get the hydration they need.

With years of expertise under our belt, you can count on us to deliver quality drip irrigation installation services. Ready to upgrade your plant watering routine? Connect with us today!

What Are The Advantages Of Sprinkler Irrigation?

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The popularity of sprinkler irrigation systems has been increasing exponentially over the past decades, and justifiably so. They effectively address the problem of saving water for a more sustainable future and solve the woes of pricy water bills while keeping your plants happy.

However, that’s not all sprinkler irrigation system installations have to offer! So, to further enlighten you, let us delve deeper into what sprinkler irrigation systems are, their pros and cons, and find out if they are the right choice for you.

What is a Sprinkler Irrigation System and How Does it Work?

Sprinkler irrigation systems work in a way similar to rain. In fact, they were inspired by natural rainfall!

Water is pumped through a network of pipes before being transformed into minute droplets sprayed into the air by sprinklers. This disperses the water, evenly distributing it across the targeted zone.

Depending on how big your target area is, you can choose a sprinkler system that pumps out water to a certain distance from the spray nozzle to maximize your coverage. Moreover, you can adjust the range of your sprinkler system by adjusting the angle, allowing you to spray one side of your yard or in a complete revolution!

What Are the Advantages of Sprinkler Systems?

Beyond maintaining healthy, lush greenery on your property to enhance its visuals and aesthetic appeal, sprinkler irrigation systems come with several advantages worth taking the plunge for. Here are some of them.

Convenience

We’re pretty sure physically watering your plants and lawn multiple times a week is not your favorite chore. However, you can easily ensure that your plants get the moisture they need at the flip of a switch with sprinkler systems. It becomes even more convinitent with automatic sprinkler systems that allow you to cut off the water supply in some regions of your landscape or even set up a time that starts or stops your system.

Cost-Effective

A sprinkler system is both inexpensive and easy to set up. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on manpower. A correctly programmed and timed irrigation system, in combination with well-matched sprinkler heads and hoses by plant zone, can help residential and commercial property owners save money on water as well as energy.

Keep Your Plants Healthy

Another major advantage of sprinkler irrigation systems is making it easier to water your plants at the most appropriate times of the day. As a result, you will give them the right amount of moisture they require.

The best time to water a lawn is early in the morning before sunrise. The experts say it helps prevent excessive water evaporation while giving lawns and gardens more time to absorb the moisture they require.

However, with sprinkler systems, you don’t have to wake up with a hose in hand at the crack of dawn. Instead, you can easily program your sprinklers to turn on early in the morning without having to get out of bed!

Reducing Water Wastage

Sprinkler irrigation systems can deliver the exact quantity of water needed for each zone of your lawn and garden. This is possible by using rain and moisture sensors, eliminating your guesswork. Furthermore, because overwatering may be just as harmful as lack of water to certain plants, the ability to automate and control is an advantage that should not be overlooked. Apart from this, a sprinkler system is suitable for almost all soil types, making it a perfect choice for your lawn or garden.

Smart Options

Suppose you’re tired of keeping a constant eye on your lawn and manually operating a water hose to keep your lawn hydrated. In that case, a smart sprinkler irrigation system might just be the perfect solution for you! Smart sprinkler systems allow you to control your entire irrigation system from your mobile phone and control the quantity of water you need in certain zones.

The best part? Smart sprinkler systems enabled with the latest AI are pretty intelligent. When it rains too much or too little, automated features detect this and change the amount of water applied to your landscaping. As a result, you can quickly minimize your plant watering efforts while eliminating costs incurred from overwatering.

Things To Keep In Mind Before Installing A Sprinkler Irrigation System

While investing in a sprinkler system comes with several advantages that make watering your lawn less of a tedious task, here are things to consider before taking the big step.

Sprinkler System Layout

To ensure that your lawn and plants are evenly watered, you have to determine the best positions to place your sprinkler heads. Moreover, tree roots may interfere with your sprinkler lines and heads in the future if your layout is not appropriately planned.
Luckily for you, a professional sprinkler system installer can help make the process easier.

Connections

Sprinkler systems must be connected to outdoor fixtures to make it possible for them to supply water to your plants. If you do not have one, you will need to contact a plumber to install it or talk to your sprinkler system installer beforehand.
Your sprinkler irrigation system control units have to be connected to an active power source to make it possible to run them. Therefore, the control units are typically placed in garages or utility rooms.

Winterization

During colder months, your sprinkler irrigation system has to be completely drained of water to ensure that it does not burst when water within the pipes freezes and expands. It will also require start-up in the spring to make adjustments or replace damaged parts before running it after winter.

Looking for professional sprinkler irrigation system installers in Victoria, BC?

A sprinkler system can help you save money on water and energy while keeping your plants healthy – only if the installation is done right. At Waterworks Irrigation, we provide error-free professional sprinkler system installation services in Victoria, BC, at the most competitive rates.
Ready to get started?

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Top 5 Signs Your Sprinkler System Needs A Repair

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As the summer kicks in, your sprinkler systems need to be ready to work overtime in dry and hot conditions. However, a seemingly trivial issue can often result in significant damage to both your sprinkler system and, consequently, your landscape, leaving you with a massive dent in your wallet. This calls for an early irrigation system check-up and maintenance to take care of any problems before you start using it.

But how can you tell if your sprinkler system needs a fix? Let us take a look at the sprinkler components that are more prone to damage and the signs you should look out for!

Top 5 Signs That Indicate Your Sprinkler System Needs a Repair:

While it’s easy to ignore seemingly trivial issues regarding sprinkler systems, the problem can be much more than it looks on the surface.

Low Water Pressure

The water pressure in your sprinkler unit isn’t as straightforward to regulate as it is in a bathroom plumbing fixture. So if the water doesn’t flow with the proper pressure, speed, or intensity from sprinkler heads, your best course of action is calling a professional.

You can quickly tell if a sprinkler system has low pressure by uneven watering. It usually leaves certain regions of your lawn either underwatered or overwatered. This results in discoloration in some areas and swampy conditions in others.

Moreover, suppose your sprinkler system isn’t operating with accurate pressure. In that case, it can also be a sign that your valves or even sprinkler heads are damaged.

Leakage

A leaky irrigation system is not only inconvenient, but it also comes with a spike in your water bill. Water lost due to leaks and drips shows that a pipe underground has cracked or burst. Not taking care of this problem in time may result in your pipers getting damaged further, increasing your repair costs. Moreover, water will be collected in specific portions of your yard, resulting in muddy and marshy conditions, while other parts of your yard dry out and die due to a lack of moisture.

Outrageous Water Bills

Suppose you’ve been running your sprinklers longer than usual and still aren’t getting the green results you want. In that case, it’s possible that a component of your irrigation system isn’t working correctly or has sustained structural damage.

It is, therefore, crucial to have your sprinkler system examined and diagnosed for repairs early on to save money and safeguard the value of your outside property.

Spurting Sprinkler Heads

If your sprinkler appears to be spurting water rather than sending out a constant stream of water droplets, it’s time to inspect the sprinkler heads. Sputtering sprinkler heads are often the result of material blocking the system, or even a broken valve or a shattered sprinkler head.

Discoloured Patches On Your Yard

If you find that specific portions of your yard are turning yellow or brown, likely, your sprinkler system isn’t providing them with enough water. The reason can be leaking valves or congested sprinkler heads, or perhaps something wrong with the underground irrigation system. Either way, you may need a professional to take a closer look.

Specific Sprinkler Zones Not Starting Up

While sprinkler irrigation issues are mainly caused by worn-out, damaged and clogged components, electrical hiccups can also cause zone-specific problems that require recalibrating. For example, suppose certain zones of your sprinkler systems don’t start up or function properly. In that case, a sprinkler system repair specialist might need to look at your control unit and electrical wiring.

Sprinkler System Components Most Likely To Get Damaged

A lot of sprinkler system problems result from damaged components that will need to be repaired or replaced in most cases. Here are tell-tale components you should keep an eye on.

Valves

When the system can’t be turned on or off, more than often, it’s a sign of valve damage. Debris in the valve, a rip in the diaphragm, faulty wiring, or burned-out solenoids might cause this problem.

Heads of rotors

Sprinklers will eventually wear out. Gear drives and seals weaken and break over time, causing the gears to stop spinning. At times, newly placed sprinkler heads can also “tilt” due to lawnmowers and moist soil, resulting in uneven water distribution.

Nozzles

Nozzles impact precipitation rates or how quickly water is administered to a specific area.
Debris entering the irrigation system, a polluted water source, and normal wear and tear contribute to clogged or damaged nozzles.

Electrical wiring

Wiring is highly susceptible to rodents, underground construction, or utility work. Therefore, it is essential to constantly inspect the wiring to determine any potential threats to the system.

Pipes

Pipes can be damaged by workers using shovels or construction equipment, resulting in leaking. Excessive freezes and thaws, tree roots growing through lines, faulty installation, high pressure, and normal aging are other causes of damage.

Looks Like Your Sprinkler System Is Faulty? Here Is What You Can Expect

While some damages may seem pretty obvious, you may be surprised to discover hidden issues with your sprinkler system. Either way, a good sprinkler system repair expert will thoroughly inspect your entire system and determine whether components need to be repaired or replaced.

The first step they may take is running your sprinkler system, and once they have a clear idea of your problem, the next step is removing all water from your system.

If you have a leaking problem, the sprinkler repair expert may dig around the damaged pipelines using small shovels to access them. However, suppose the problem is related to components above ground level. In that case, they will not have to excavate parts of your yard.

Once all repairs are done, they will run your system to see if it’s working properly and perform any necessary fixes if required.

Looking for sprinkler system repair specialists in Victoria, BC?

A well-operated sprinkler system is one of the most essential parts of maintaining a healthy lawn. At Waterworks Irrigation, we provide the best-in-class sprinkler repair services in Victoria, BC.

Moreover, to help you prevent potential damage which may result in expensive repairs, we offer routine sprinkler maintenance services at the most affordable rates. Ready to keep your sprinkler systems at peak performance. Let’s get started!

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5 Factors To Consider When Choosing Your Landscape Lighting System

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Considering an outdoor landscape lighting installation for your home? When choosing your home lighting system designs and fixtures, there are several factors you should consider to ensure that you make the right choice amongst the broad range of options available in the market.

Here are a couple of things to look at when choosing your residential outdoor lighting system to get spectacular yet cost-efficient landscape lighting installation that will perfectly illuminate your outdoor space.

Important Factors To Take Into Account

Residential outdoor lighting is a long-term investment that enhances the elegance and safety of your home. However, your investment go to waste can easily go to waste if you do not take certain aspects into account/

Here are our top 5 factors we believe every homeowner must take into account before taking the big step.

Purpose

What you intend to use your lighting system for should dictate the type of landscape lighting you choose for your home. This will ensure that you get the most out of your lighting system and utilize it to the fullest extent. For example, simple pole lamps with low-wattage lights are ideal for illuminating garden paths while colored lights work best for decorative purposes.
Aesthetics

Outdoor lighting perfectly complements the beauty of your home’s exteriors and garden spaces, allowing you to leave an amazing first impression on your guests. The right lighting choices will enrich your surroundings at dusk or night while providing the right amount of illumination necessary for improving the visibility of the specific zones you are targeting on your landscape.
Here are some aesthetic considerations you should take into account.

Size of fixtures

The size of your lighting fixtures should be proportionate to the dimensions of your house or garden. While large fixtures are more noticeable, oversized fixtures will upset the proportionality of your overall property and degrade its appearance.

Design and colour of fixtures

The design and colours must be compatible with the style of your home and requirements. Contemporary designs would generally suit modern houses better while classic designs will go well with traditionally designed houses.

Light colors and intensity

The light color and intensity play a major role in setting the mood of the surroundings. Consider less bright and deep colored lights for relaxation and decoration. To create a lively ambience with high visibility, you can opt for bright colors instead.

You should also make sure that your light colour blends well with the environmental colours. In general, you may prefer yellow lights to bring out the richness of the surrounding colours on your landscape and white light for maximum brightness in working spaces.

Cost efficiency and durability

LED lights offer higher cost-efficiency in the long run compared to other types of outdoor lightings. Moreover, using low-wattage lamps will reduce energy consumption. While solar lights are ideal for avoiding electric consumption altogether, they come with high one-time costs.

Another great way of lowering the power consumption of your landscape lighting system is utilizing special fixtures that concentrate light in a particular direction, allowing you to illuminate only the areas you need with low-wattage lamps.

When it comes to durability, high-quality LED lights and enclosed metal fixtures are generally more durable and should be your first choice if you are looking for long-lasting solutions. In general, it may be ideal to go for LED lamps that have only the required intensity depending on their intended purpose and use fixtures that protect the light against environmental forces.

Technology

Technology is a major consideration in selecting lighting in modern times. From Bluetooth-controlled colour-changing lights and smart timer lights to home assistant-controlled lighting, it is very easy to automate your lighting system by integrating smart technology to get full control at your fingertips.

Safety

Outdoor landscape lighting not only adds to the visuals of your home but also enhances security. It is important to lighten the dark regions or paths in the exterior of your house to deter criminal activity while reducing the risks of accidents caused by poor illumination.

You may also choose bright lights with higher wattage and fixtures that spread light over a larger area, allowing you to effectively illuminate all your dark exterior regions.

Challenges to expect when choosing residential outdoor lighting systems

While the abovementioned factors go a long way in helping you decide the best lighting system, you still might face a few challenges along the way, including the following:
Making a compromise

Several factors come into play when choosing the right lighting system, especially when you happen to have conflicting choices and a hard time setting your priorities. You will not only need to strike the perfect balance between cost, durability, practicality and use, but you will also need to keep lighting system design parameters in mind.

Sourcing

Finding and buying the right lights can be difficult if the lighting fixtures you need are not available locally and you have no means of sourcing them. This setback may cause you to make a compromise by looking for other alternatives or even require a complete lighting system redesign, bringing you back to square one.

Plan conflicts

There may be confusion and plan mismatches while personally selecting the lights and design. As a result, your landscape lighting installation process will be more complex, costlier and time-consuming.

Why you should choose a professional to make the entire process easier.

From planning and designing to sourcing fixtures and more, a comprehensive outdoor lighting service provider such as Waterworks Irrigation will handle all stages of your landscape lighting installations.

Our experienced professionals will conduct a meeting with you to discuss customized lighting solutions that align with your lighting goals. Moreover, all our installations come with a warranty and if you require, we will perform regular maintenance to keep your residential outdoor lighting system operating at peak performance for prices that don’t break the bank.

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Everything You Need To Know Before Installing Wi-Fi Irrigation Timers

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Controlling your sprinklers remotely seemed farfetched years ago, but thanks to smart home technology, it is possible with a few taps on your smartphone. Wi-Fi irrigation timers allow you to manage and control your home sprinkler system from wherever you are, allowing you to automate the watering of your landscape.

You may be wondering if investing in a Wi-Fi irrigation timer or giving your old sprinkler controller an upgrade is worth it. In short, absolutely! However, there are a few factors you should take into consideration before making the big step to ensure that you get the most value out of your investment. 

 

Why You Need Wi-Fi Irrigation Timers 

Apart from going digital, a bunch of benefits come with putting power in the palm of your hands by installing Wi-Fi Irrigation timers. 

Some of these benefits include the following:

Automate your landscape irrigation process.

Gone are the days you had to take a quick trip to your garden to start your sprinkler system. By automating your landscape irrigation process using a Wi-Fi-powered irrigation timer, you can set the time you want your sprinkler system to turn on and off automatically. As a result, your landscape will always get the hydration it needs without you having to worry about forgetting to water it.

Save water and cut down on your electric bills

Studies show that homeowners with WiFi sprinkler controllers save up to 30% of water which would have been wasted from overwatering. Sprinkler control systems allow you to control the volume of water you need to water your plants and greenery. By installing them, you can give your landscape just the right amount of hydration it needs without wasting water. As a result, you will not only save water but also lower your utility bills in the long run.

Choose the parts of your landscape you want to water

Most landscapes do not consist of just lawns. You may have different types of plants that require different amounts of hydration to thrive. Thanks to Wi-Fi irrigation timers, you can now choose how much you want your sprinkler to water certain areas of your landscape by creating irrigation zones. As a result, you do not have to worry about overwatering or underwatering your plants.

Detect problems in your irrigation system lines.

Wifi irrigation timers constantly monitor your sprinkler system’s water flow. Whenever there is an irregularity in the way water normally flows so you can prevent problems before they happen. Moreover, if your pipe is leaking or broken or when there is any damage to your irrigation system, your WI-FI sprinkler controller will notify you immediately, allowing you to fix it and prevent further damage.

Control your system from wherever you are.

One of the biggest advantages of having WiFi irrigation timers is the convenience that comes with it. You can easily control your system remotely from wherever you are, allowing you to maintain the healthy greenery of your landscape from work, a different city or even a family trip overseas using your smartphone.

 

Choosing The Right Wi-Fi Irrigation Timer For Your Landscape 

With a lot of wifi irrigation timers in the market, finding the right one can be overwhelming. To narrow it down for you, here are a few factors you should consider to help you choose the best Wi-Fi irrigation timer for your needs.

How many zones does it support?

A zone is a particular area on your landscape with specific water needs of your plants. Typically, you can create zones based on the slope, type of vegetation, amount of sunlight the particular area receives and more.  It is thus best to choose a sprinkler that supports the adequate number of zones your landscape has.

Is it compatible with your sprinkler system?

Whether you need a new sprinkler control system built from the ground up or want to upgrade to a Wi-Fi Irrigation timer, you need to ensure that the one you choose is compatible with your irrigation system.

Does it support sensors?

Most smart irrigation sensors rely on weather data to determine the amount of water your plants need. However, weather data alone is not always accurate. Some sprinklers measure the moisture content of your yard and automatically make adjustments as needed while others do not. As a result, you should base your choice on what you need and your budget.

 

Waterworks Tip:

We usually recommend Wi-Fi irrigation timers from Rain Bird as they offer a broad range of products with diverse features, making it easier for you to choose the best one that works for you.

 

Why You Should Get Professionals To Do The Installation 

Getting the best Wi-Fi sprinkler system is the easy part, but installing it the right way requires a high level of skill, precision and professionalism.

Waterworks Irrigation Wi-Fi irrigation timer installation specialists will work closely with you in choosing the best Wi-Fi sprinkler controller for your landscape before carrying out the installation process.

So whether you need a new irrigation Wi-Fi timer installation or an upgrade to your sprinkler control system, we are here for you. 

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