Category: Tips & Tricks

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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Irrigation Installations

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Thanks to technological advancements and improvements to traditional irrigation techniques, keeping your landscape lush, green and healthy has never been easier. The big question, however, is whether it is worth investing in a residential irrigation system installation to maintain your home’s curbside appeal.

Most people associate residential irrigation installations with excessive water bills and extremely high installation costs. However, it does not have to be that way when you do things right. Let us take a look at what makes an irrigation system for your home a good investment and the best way to install it.
What Benefits Come With A Residential Irrigation Installation?

While equipping your home with an irrigation system allows you to maintain your landscape’s greenery, it also comes with a couple of benefits that make it a worthwhile investment.

Some of these benefits include the following:

  • Give your landscape the hydration it needs

    In addition to watering your lawn, installing a sprinkler system allows you to maintain the moisture content of the soil around your yard. As a result your lawn and plants always receive the right amount of water without the risk of overwatering or underwatering.

  • Save water

    In comparison to using the traditional hoses to maintain the greenery of your lawn, residential irrigation installations allow you to lower your water costs. By sprinkling just the right amount of water across your landscape, you avoid wastage. As a result, you will never have to compromise on water conservation and the aesthetic appeal of your landscape.

  • Increase your property value

    Custom water feature installations and irrigation systems are not only considered home upgrade features. They increase the value of your property, allowing you to list your home at a higher price in the real estate market should you decide to sell it, especially when you use durable equipment and get a professional installation.

  • Convenience

    Automating your residential irrigation system makes it possible for you to control your system easily, and by using smart technology, you can now activate your sprinkler systems remotely. You can even create a schedule according to the astronomical clock so your sprinklers activate at a certain time during the day and automatically switch off when done watering as set on a timer.

Should You Go For A Custom Irrigation System?

As opposed to randomly setting up sprinklers and calling it a day, creating a custom irrigation system allows you to identify several factors and landscape features that may affect its efficiency. By customizing your residential irrigation system, you not only ensure that your lawn is consistently watered but you also remove the guesswork from your installation.
While installing an irrigation system, let alone customizing it may come with a high upfront cost, it increases the equity and value of your home by a great margin as well as its overall aesthetic appeal, making it a good investment in the long run.

A custom home irrigation system allows you to choose areas in your yard that require more water and those that require less depending on several landscape factors including the size of your landscape, the steepness or slope of your yard and more. Therefore, you will not only get an irrigation system tailored to your budget, but also the results you want from it.

Why Installing Your Irrigation System During The Fall And Winter Seasons Is Highly Recommended

If you are considering installing a home irrigation system in Victoria, BC, fall is the best time to do it. Why you may ask? Let us break it down for you.

  • Your soil’s temperature will be just right

    As opposed to the dry summer days, during fall and winter your soil will be at an ideal temperature and moisture content, making it easier to dig pipes into it without disturbing your landscape more than necessary or damaging your plants.

  • Get ready for next spring

    Installing your home irrigation system in the fall season gets you ready for spring ahead of schedule so all you have to do is start watering your lawn and landscape to keep it greener and healthier as soon as all the snow melts off.

  • Get access to exclusive offers

    When you choose residential irrigation system companies in Victoria, BC like us, you can look forward to getting a professional home irrigation system install at a fraction of the price through seasonal discounts.

Pre-Book Your Irrigation System Installation With Waterworks Irrigation And Get 10-15% Off

Book your irrigation install between November and February and get up to 15% off, giving you value for money. You can also get the perfect Christmas gift that keeps giving for years to come for your family, friends and loved ones through Waterworks Gift Cards or create a custom irrigation or landscape lighting package, tailored to your needs and budget.

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How to Winterize your Irrigation Sprinkler System?

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How to Winterize your Irrigation Sprinkler System?

When spring is gone for good and a chill begins to encroach the air, you know that winter is inevitably on its way! And if you are familiar with the kind of damage winter does to outdoor equipment, you would not want to wait till it freezes your most priced assets, namely, your irrigation sprinkler system!
While your sprinklers keep the lawns and gardens green and watered throughout the summer easily, they do require a thorough preparatory routine to be turned off, once their seasonal purpose is served. A poorly maintained irrigation system can damage the pipes and cost you a fortune on the repairs later.
You can save yourself from paying a hefty cost on repairs by winterizing your irrigation sprinkler system today!

Why you should consider the winterization of your Sprinkler system?

The low winter temperatures can be harsh on sprinkler equipment if they are not well maintained and drained of all excess water beforehand. As it freezes, any leftover water can expand and cause significant damage to the sprinkler heads, pipes, and valves in the system. The sheer cost of the potential damage is certainly enough of a deterrent to make you take precautionary care before the winter arrives, if you haven’t already done so!
Winterization and de-winterization of your sprinklers systems can be done on your own if you have the experience and the required expertise. But if you are new to sprinkler systems, you can always seek the assistance of a professional winterization and irrigation equipment specialists.

How do I Winterize my Sprinklers?

If you are pretty hands-on with your equipment, you can winterize your sprinklers the D.I.Y way!
A few steps can help you prep your sprinklers before frost sets in:
The very step is to close off all the water supply to the pipes and pumps of your sprinklers and protect them with plastic covers or insulation tapes.
Once done, you can now shut down all programmed and automatic timers or controllers, if any. Switch them on to ‘Rain mode’.
Lastly, drain all excess leftover water and keep your valves, pipes, and sprinkler heads completely dry.
Once the procedure is complete, you can wait till next summer to de-winterize your sprinklers back to their full functionality.

Ways to Drain Your Sprinklers Effectively

Draining is an essential process of the winterization process. All the pipes, valves and pumps in all the zones of your irrigation sprinkler system must be thoroughly drained of all surplus water and kept completely dry before it is shut down for the winter.
There are three widely used methods to drain the water from the sprinklers:
Manual Draining
Automatic Draining
Air Blowout Method
All these methods ensure effective draining of water from your irrigation sprinkler systems and can be opted for depending on the type of system you have in place. Take a look and find out which one suits your system the best!

Manual Draining method

If your sprinkler system has manual drainage equipment, all that needs to be done to drain the water is to open the valves of each zone so the water inside drains away completely.
Once all the sprinkler heads, pipes, and backflow preventers are successfully drained, you can close all the valves to avoid further water entry into the system.

Automatic draining Method

With this method, the primary step is to shut off the main water supply and allow the pressure to subside while the water flows out of the system.
Ensure that all the sprinkler heads and the backflow valve are individually lifted and drained of any remaining water. Follow this process for all zones and close off all pipes to prevent rainwater from entering during the winter.

Air blowout method

This method is not one you should try without any guidance or supervision from a professional. The air blowout method blows out the moisture or water inside your system with the use of compressed air forced into the pipes and pumps. The force of the air within helps discharge and effectively drain off all the water and facilitate a dry system. This method needs to be followed in all the zones consistently for the desired results.
However, if you want to go the D.I.Y route, a good air compressor and a coupler may come in handy. This method of draining may not be advisable for all sorts of irrigation systems. It holds a risk of damaging your sprinkler system to an extensive degree. If the procedure is not performed with care, it could even lead to injury for the person involved.
Considering its technical difficulty and expertise required, we recommend you use a skilled and experienced professional to drain your pipes for you without any risks.

Are you looking for professional irrigation sprinkler winterization and de-winterization services near you?
At Waterworks, we provide holistic assistance in effective draining and winterization of irrigation sprinkler systems of all kinds.
Get in touch with us to get your sprinklers restored to the best working condition!

How can lighting transform your yard?

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More and more people are turning to creating backyard spaces they can enjoy and spend time in with their families. As we move into Spring, and Summer, and even Fall, being able to enjoy our outdoor spaces requires the right lighting.

Landscape lighting

Landscape Lighting is not just a few lights here and there. A well designed lighting plan can be a worthwhile investment. Landscape lighting can enable you to use your outdoor space after dark, illuminating seating areas and creating a pleasant and inviting space. With the right lighting you will notice a much more enjoyable ambiance.

Well designed lighting

A well designed lighting can help showcase your outdoor space, enhancing landscaped areas and architecture by using light like an art display. Splashes of light create accents and moods, create shadows and highlights adding dimension to your space.

Lighting for safety & security

Outdoor house lighting is also good for added safety and security. Well planned lighting can illuminate pathways for safer walking and avoiding any hazards. Brightening up certain areas can also help create a safer yard.

Increase home value

Garden lighting can increase your home value! The right lighting can highlight the best parts of your outdoor space, and show off your maintained and well loved yard. This can be appealing for potential buyers down the road. An inviting home is welcoming to all. Realtors suggest that investing in outdoor living spaces and lighting can be a worthwhile addition to a home.

If you have always wanted to enhance your outdoor living space and enjoy it for even longer, including landscape lighting can add a wealth of benefits! We want to help create your paradise. Connect with us for expert advice and knowledge.

 

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