Month: February 2013

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Landscape irrigation can be a true blessing for any home or business owner, especially during the hot dry months of summer. A little bit of maintenance can go a long way in keeping your system up and running when it’s needed the most.

The following are a few irrigation maintenance tips.

Clean the filters and screens:
Most drip irrigation systems have a wye-type screen filter to keep debris from clogging emitters and spray stakes. The screen is removable and needs to be cleaned periodically. Also most pop-up sprinklers and spray heads have an intake screen located at the base of the head or just under the nozzle. If you notice a weakened spray pattern, a partially clogged screen may be the culprit.

Check for damaged sprinklers:
Sprinklers can become damaged from mowing and aerating equipment. Broken sprinklers no only waste water, but they can cause other sprinklers to perform poorly due to the lower water pressure.

Leaky valves:
Valves can begin to leak over time. This is usually due to worn or distorted diaphragms. These parts can easily be replaced. Spring is a good time to make these repairs before the hot dry weather sets in.

The irrigation experts at W.P. Law, Inc. are knowledgeable in a variety of issues that can arise. Visit our professionals who can assist you with any number of problems you may have with your own landscape irrigation.

Visit www.wplawinc.com/corporate-contact.

Technology meets irrigation systems

When it comes to having a beautiful and well cared for landscaping one of the key components is having adequate water. Irrigation controllers have been around for decades and have allowed us to automate the mundane task of turning irrigation systems on and off. Irrigation controllers typically allow the operator the options of selecting the day and time that an irrigation cycle will start, what zone(s) will run and for how long. In many cases the irrigation run time is an educated guess. While irrigation run times can be calculated to apply a given amount of water over a given area, these calculations do not factor in the weather conditions on a given day.

Behold the “smart” irrigation controller. Smart controllers utilize an on-site weather station to adjust irrigation run times on an as needed basis. Smart controllers also take into account the soil type, plant material, and historical climate data. Because smart controllers can “think” they can make irrigation run-time adjustments. They will allow the irrigation system to run more frequently during dry periods and less frequently on cloudy or rainy days.

Smart controllers not only provide a more healthy landscape they also help conserve our most precious natural resource.

For more valuable information about smart water irrigation systems contact the experts at W.P. Law, Inc.

Visit www.wplawinc.com/corporate-contact.

Controlling Your Controller

One of the greatest accessories for anyone who enjoys landscaping, but doesn’t have a lot of time to stand outside and water a lawn by hand, are irrigation controllers. These are controllers that are designed to automate your irrigation system and allow you to designate when to water your landscape.

Using irrigation controllers for the first time can be somewhat intimidating. Here are a few tips to help you take control of your controller:

1. Have Confidence: First and foremost, have some assurance in your abilities. If you found this tip online and are reading this than you are more than capable of setting and enabling irrigation controllers.

2. Find information: A user manual is your best friend and your key to success. If this is a new system make sure to keep the manual handy for a while as you get familiar with it. If this is an older system and you do not have access to a manual there are plenty of resources available online. There are websites that host these manuals for download, or you may be able to find one from the manufacturer’s website.

3. Ask questions: When in doubt ask. There are plenty of experts and knowledgeable people who are familiar with irrigation controllers and many of them are more than willing to answer questions for you.

Visit the irrigation specialists at W.P. Law, Inc. for quality irrigation systems and supplies, and are available to answers your irrigation controller questions.

Visit www.wplawinc.com/corporate-contact.

Landscape professionals: Taking the Guesswork Out of Irrigation System Problems

As spring time approaches, many homeowners will be getting their irrigation systems ready for the season. This is an excellent time to walk through the system while it is operating and make a list of problems that need to be addressed before spring. Here are a few things to look for and their possible cause.

The following are a few things to look for when troubleshooting on your own:

1. Sprinkler does not rotate: If you have a rotor or impact type sprinkler that is not rotating, this can be a relatively simple fix. Usually non-rotation is caused by debris interfering with the sprinkler. In most cases this can be corrected by cleaning and flushing the sprinkler. In some cases the head may need to be replaced.

2. Broken or damaged sprinklers: If you get a mini geyser when you turn the system on, this is most always an indication of a broken or damage sprinkler head. Chances are you accidentally clipped one with your mower when picking up leaves in the fall. You will need to replace the sprinkler head to fix this problem.

3. Irrigation zones that do not come on: This problem can be a lot more complicated. The causes can be a faulty valve solenoid, faulty zone on the irrigation controller, bad electrical connection and even a broken wire. While the actual repair may be easy enough, finding the actual cause of the problem may be another story. In cases like this it is best to call in a professional irrigation contractor. An irrigation professional will have the equipment necessary to locate the cause of the problem and make the repair in an efficient manner. This will save the homeowner hours of frustration.

While there are many repairs and maintenance issues that homeowners can take care of themselves, it’s good to know when to call in the professionals.

W.P. Law, Inc. takes pride in their expert irrigation professionals who are proficiently trained to assist you with any of your irrigation system needs. Our staff will be happy to recommend a quality contractor to handle your maintenance and installation needs.

Visit www.wplawinc.com/corporate-contact.

Raising Health and Awe, with a Little Water

There is nothing quite like the peace and serenity that a fountain generates and there is something that is inspiring when you get close to them. Whether you are standing in front of a magnificent display of water and light or a simple design in a business there is a special feeling you get when you see a fountain.

What many people do not realize however is that there are actual benefits that you can get from using a fountain and if you add one to your office you can see real results.

From stress relief and relaxation to eliminating annoying sounds there are many unseen wonders that can come from commercial fountains. Here are just a few examples of how they can help you and your office.

• Taking the pressure off: There is good strong evidence that shows adding an indoor fountain to your environment can actually help to alleviate stress and boost the mood of those who are in contact with them.

• Add to the décor: An obvious advantage to using an indoor fountain is the effect it will have on the overall look and feel that your office will have. Indoor fountains can be pleasing to the eye, and also mask machinery noise and other unwanted sound.

• Humidifier: In addition to these benefits commercial fountains can also serve as a natural humidifier.

There are a variety of commercial fountains that you can choose from and a host of styles and sizes. Visit the indoor fountain specialists at W.P. Law, Inc. for more information and advice on which would be the best fit for you and your office.

Visit www.wplawinc.com/corporate-contact.

What is a Backflow Preventer and why do I need one?

Many people do not understand the importance of having an irrigation backflow preventer and why it is necessary. The landscape around your home or business is filled with all sorts of things that can make you sick if ingested. Fertilizers, pesticides and the bacteria found in pet wastes just to name a few.

Most irrigation systems are connected to a potable water supply. Backflow preventers, as the name implies, prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the potable water supply. Backflow can occur if there is a sudden pressure drop in the municipal water line. This could be caused by the opening of a fire hydrant for example. When the pressure drops on the supply side of an irrigation system, water that is standing around a sprinkler head can be drawn back into the municipal water line, thus contaminating the potable water supply. Backflow preventers keep this from happening.

Because the potential risk for contamination is high, most municipalities require the installation of a backflow prevention device on all irrigation systems and require that they be tested at least annually.

There are several types of backflow prevention devices. The type of device you are required to install is largely dictated by local codes. These codes can vary by water purveyor so make sure you contact them for a list of approved devices and manufacturers.

Visit the irrigation specialists at W.P. Law, Inc. for quality irrigation systems and supplies, plus get more information and advice on why an irrigation backflow preventer can be a benefit for your system.

Visit www.wplawinc.com/corporate-contact.