Sprinkler Systems

How’s Your Drainage System Working? It Might Need a Checkup

A majority of garden drainage issues in Plano indicate a bigger problem that may need a professional’s attention. Often, these drain problems are caused by minor incidents such as clogging due to inappropriate waste going into the drainage system, blocked pipes or frozen pipes during cold weather. If you notice problems in your landscape drainage system, you may need to call a professional to give a more in-depth look at your landscape drainage and fix the problem.

Common Landscape Drainage Problems

Slow Drains

While a slow drain may not seem like a big issue, it might quickly turn into a more serious problem. Overly wet turf areas are prone to soil compaction and scarring from footprints and mowing equipment. A slow drain can a product of improper grading of your drainage system.

Recurring Clogs

Clogged drains are common in gardens due to the binding of dirt, mud, leaves, and even insects and animals that can go into the drains. If you’re trying to clean your drain frequently, chances are you’re failing in removing the entire clog. It’s best if you hire an expert to eliminate the problem permanently.

Water Flooding

Water flooding in your garden is another common problem and may be an indication that your drain could stop working completely leaving you with puddles of water all over your garden. Too much water in landscaped areas can result in plant diseases and can even kill plants and expensive evergreens.
Don’t hesitate to contact us to diagnose and quickly fix all landscape drainage problems.

Signs Your Sprinkler System Might Need A Check Up

For a lawn to look beautiful in all seasons, there is need to have a quality sprinkler. A properly functioning sprinkler has to water a lawn uniformly and at an appropriate rate. This eliminates or minimizes the need for dragging the hose and the sprinkler attachments from one point of the lawn to another.

Without a proper system, you are forced to waste a lot of time hand watering, or trying to make the hose pipes cover the entire yard. Thus, it is imperative to ensure that your sprinkler system is working efficiently at all times. To do this, you have to get the assistance of a professional to regularly check your system and fix it as soon as possible. Below is a rundown of some signs that you can look to know if your sprinkler system needs a checkup.

Dying Lawn

For your lawn to remain healthy, the grass needs just enough water. Too much or inadequate water is doing to destroy your grass. If there are swampy patches or soggy grass even during dry seasons, this may imply that your system is leaking and there is a need for a thorough checkup. If there are brown patches of drying grass on your lawn, it means that they are not getting adequate water, and you still need to call in a professional to find out why.

Pressure Issues

For some reason, the pressure of your system may be too much or too low. If not addressed on time, pressure issues can destroy the system further and expose your lawn to more problems. The signs of excess pressure include:

• Blown off sprinkler nozzles
• Breaking pipes
• Fogging or misting spray
• The spray overshooting the desired area

On the other hand, inadequate water pressure is characterized by:

• Spray not reaching the required areas
• Pop-up system not fully extending

The Takeaway

Overall, it is apparent that a properly working sprinkler is essential to keep your lawn healthy and beautiful. Thus, if your sprinkler has any signs of malfunctioning, you have to consult a professional to check it and fix it sooner rather than later. If you are looking for an expert in sprinkler systems in the Plano, Texas; Pearson Sprinkler is a partner you can count on. Contact us today for more information.

7 Tips for Protecting Your Sprinklers in the Winter

Sprinklers are a low-effort, efficient way to water your landscape in summer. When winter comes, it can be tempting to shut it off and forget about it. Unfortunately, sprinklers don’t go dormant like trees and shrubs: low temperatures can break pipes and other components. Winterizing your sprinklers helps protect them and ensure they work faithfully again when summer comes.

• Find out if your sprinklers are in danger. Check out a frost line depth map for your area to find out how deep the ground freezes on your property. If your sprinkler pipes are located below the frost line, you may have little to worry about.
• Take care with winter watering. In areas with less frost risk, you may wish to continue cold season irrigation. Just remember that overflow could produce icy sidewalks and driveways. Use your sprinklers only in warmer weather if you need them during winter.
• Get all the water out. Draining your system is an obvious way to reduce the risk of broken pipes, but it’s not enough. If you have a home air compressor, use it to blow remaining water out of the pipes, one zone at a time.
• Wrap it up! If your system features any above-ground pipes, cover them in insulation tape or foam tube insulation.
• Protect valves. Your system is more than just pipes: you’ll need to insulate any above-ground valves and backflow-preventers as well. More insulation tape will do the trick, but you can also use pine straw.
• Turn off your controller. If your sprinklers work automatically, you’ll need to disable the controller to ensure a dormant system. Some controllers have a setting called “rain mode” that lets you retain programming while the controller is off. Others require you to just unplug.
• Call an expert. Draining your system or insulating pipes might seem daunting for beginners. If you don’t have the equipment or don’t feel comfortable with the job, hire a professional with sprinkler experience!

Source

https://www.familyhandyman.com/landscaping/how-to-winterize-a-sprinkler-system/view-all/

https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/a24267/how-to-winterize-your-sprinkler-system/

https://www.angieslist.com/articles/4-steps-winterize-your-sprinkler-system.htm

https://www.snwa.com/land/maint_tips_winter.html

https://www.plano.gov/220/Water-Conservation-Restrictions-Home

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=10&pt=1&ch=80&rl=21

5 Tips for Landscape Lighting Design

A well-lit landscape is a thing of beauty, but it can be challenging to design on your own. With a little time and consideration, however, you can build a great outdoor lighting setup.. Here are a few tips to help you make sure your outdoor lighting is safe, warm and welcoming.

• Assess, then plan. Take a look at your existing wiring and fixtures to determine what kinds of lighting will be easy to install. Working with what you have could help you save money and get your design in place more quickly.
• Safety first! Design your landscape lights starting with features like stairs, entrances and walkways. Once you have small fixtures in these practical locations, you can branch out to accent lighting and other special features.
• Avoid lighting everything. Too many lights can make your landscape glaring or hard to navigate. Try illuminating one or two key features on your property. Keep in mind that we need less light at night: don’t make the mistake of lighting your lawn as bright as day!
• Get the right lights for the job. Bulbs range from short-lived but cheap incandescants to bright, hot halogens and expensive but efficient LEDs. You can also choose from a range of colors and intensities. Typically you’ll want brighter, more direct lights near the entry, with softer light along paths or near features you want to accent.
• Use indirect light. Outdoor lighting produces glare easily. To avoid this problem, use direct lighting only in places like your home’s entrance. Indirect lighting at a lower intensity will give you a soft glow that won’t hurt visitors’ eyes.

If designing your lighting still feels complicated, call an expert! Professional landscape experts like the ones at Pearson Sprinkler Co. can help you figure out what’s right for your home.

Source

https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/lighting/outdoor/outdoor-landscape-lighting-tips/
https://www.americanlightingassoc.com/Lighting-Your-Home/Outdoor-Lighting.aspx

Tips for Maintaining Your Sprinkler System

Underground sprinklers can be a great investment in your home and lawn, ensuring beautifully maintained grass and plants and, if maintained correctly, savings in water and electricity over the years. To protect your investment and prevent any major maintenance problems, give your underground sprinkler system a little TLC throughout the year. The following tips will keep your sprinklers performing for you through the years.

Season Open

• Visually inspect sprinkler heads to clean and remove debris. Look for any signs of wear and tear on pipes, valves, nozzles, and heads which need replacing.
• Check the programmed date, time, and watering schedule.
• Ensure manual valves are closed when turning on water for the first time.
• Turn main water valve on slowly to avoid damaging or bursting pipes.
• Check the pressure of water entering the system with a gauge.

Watering Season

• Ask an expert to help you determine how much and how often to water your lawn.
• Be mindful of dry spots or signs of over-watering (such as moss and fungi growth) throughout your yard.
• Visually inspect each zone’s operation at least once per month during watering season.

Season Close

If you live in an area where the ground will freeze during winter, or if you would like to shut your system down during the cooler months of the year, then our professionals at Pearson Sprinkler Co. can help you winterize your system. When shutting down your sprinkler system or planning not to use it for a long period of time, you will need to have the water removed from the system’s underground lines. To do this, our professional will attach an air compressor to the beginning of your system to blow the water out of its pipes, safely and effectively winterizing the entire system.