April 2015

How Do I Optimize the Pumping System at My Plant?

Posted on April 23, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

When your manufacturing plant is operating and you’re responsible for the pumping system’s management, you know you need to keep everything working at optimal conditions.

Pumping System

But how do you get your system working at peak efficiency? Here are some great tips to help get you started:

Boost Efficiency

To start with, you’ll want to boost efficiency in your plant. Are there any problem areas that could function better with upgrades? Systems with issues tend to lead to more problems as other parts of the system have to take up the slack. Fixing the problem areas helps head off issues in other parts of the pumping system.

Track Effectiveness through Metering and Inspections

Adding the ability to track your system’s effectiveness helps you monitor when part of the system isn’t performing as well as it should. Whether you’re adding in flow meters or similar technology, tracking your system’s performance helps you catch necessary repairs before they become big problems.

Perform Necessary Maintenance

By performing necessary maintenance on your equipment, it helps ensure that the components continue working effectively. If you don’t already have a maintenance schedule written out, take a look at all your equipment manuals and write one out, with a checklist to help record your actions. When you have records of your maintenance tasks, it helps document what’s been done if any warranty issues arise.

See to Repairs Before They Cause More Problems

If you come across any problems either during inspections or routine maintenance, you’ll want to have them repaired as quickly as possible to keep your plant running smoothly. Unfortunately, getting parts for some pieces of equipment, especially rare or older equipment, can be a difficult proposition. If you can’t get the parts, you’ll need to have them fabricated by a company experienced in industrial or commercial systems.

Now that you’ve reviewed ways to optimize your plant’s system, why not put some of these ideas into action? Take a look at how your plant is operating, have necessary maintenance and inspections performed, see that repairs are made before they turn into serious problems, and your plant will operate better than ever. If you have any questions or need help in planning your system’s improvements to optimize operations, please feel free to contact us. At W.P. Law, we’re always happy to help you meet your plant’s needs.

What is the best fertilizer for my lawn?

Posted on April 16, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

When it comes to feeding your lawn, it can be really hard to figure out which fertilizer will do the job.

Lawn Fertilizer

Do you need immediate results or slow release? Micronutrients or more general fertilizer? Sprayed or broadcast? Unfortunately, because all lawns are a little bit different, the answer is different.

Start with a soil test

The best place to start when determining which fertilizer will work best is obtaining a good soil test. Take a soil sample that includes soil from several areas of your lawn, taking soil from 4-6″ deep, the average depth of turf grass roots. Put the soil into a quart size plastic bag, and take it to your county’s extension office, operated by your state’s land grant college. Typically running between $10-30, the soil test will provide you with a report that has very specific details of what your lawn needs in terms of fertilizer. W. P. Law, Inc. also offers this service as well.

Set up a seasonal schedule

Though it’s not something we often take into account when we think about fertilizing a lawn, a schedule is important. Well maintained landscapes, golf courses, athletic fields and even your neighborhood’s “Yard of the Month” do not look spectacular because someone makes one fertilizer application every spring. Maintaining a healthy lawn usually requires some type of application every month or so. Sometimes this application is fertilizer, other times it is an application of pre-emergent herbicide or a fungicide. An easy way to keep on top of things is to sign up for a reminder email from W. P. Law, Inc. Every time your lawn needs something seasonal, you will get a simple email reminding you what to do and when you need to do it. To subscribe to this free service click here.

Select a fertilizer

Now that you know what your lawn needs and how often you can apply it, it’s time to select a fertilizer. Choose a fertilizer that has a ratio of nutrients in line with your soil test report and can be applied according to your schedule. You can also talk to a professional at W. P. Law, Inc. about our organic soil amendments as well.

The last thing to look at is lime. If your soil test report recommends a certain amount of lime to adjust your lawn’s pH, make sure you apply it for the healthiest lawn.

Now that you’ve had an opportunity to determine the best fertilizer for your lawn, it’s time to get to work. Get a soil test, pick a fertilizer, and put it into play. If you need tools, fertilizers or other lawn care needs, please feel free to contact us.

How Much Area Can I Irrigate with an Impact Sprinkler System?

Posted on April 9, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

Here’s how to determine the area you can irrigate with your sprinkler system.

Impact Sprinkler System

With the droughts we’ve had in the US the past few years, farmers in areas of the country that haven’t needed irrigation in the past now find themselves having to evaluate and install irrigation in their pastures and fields. But working out how much area can be covered by an impact sprinkler system can be confusing at times.

Proper Irrigation System Design

At its most basic, an irrigation system needs to be designed to apply enough water to your grow your crop without causing runoff and erosion. You want your system to provide uniform water delivery to the entire area and to do so in an efficient manner to help prevent water loss. You need to decide whether the system should be permanent, movable, or self-moving, depending on your needs.

When you’re designing a new irrigation system, there are a few things to consider. One thing you must consider is topography. Land that is flat usually has more options for overhead irrigation than just impact sprinklers. Sloped land usually is confined to solid set or hand move systems. Crop type and row spacing are other considerations. Will your impact sprinkler system be used only for irrigation or will it also be used for frost protection? These are just a few things that need to be considered when designing an irrigation system using impact sprinklers

Irrigation scheduling

The simple definition of an irrigation schedule is answering the questions “How much water does my crop require?” and “How much time do I have to apply this amount of water?” Of course there are several factors that need to be considered when determining an irrigation schedule. Factors such as soil type, topography, prevailing weather conditions, and system efficiency are considerations when determining an irrigation schedule. Many parts of the country require that growers have a Water Management Plan for all of their crop irrigation systems.

Now that you’ve had a chance to think about some of the consideration for an impact sprinkler irrigation system, you can contact the professionals at W. P. Law, Inc. for design assistance an as a source for all of your irrigation needs. Contact us today for details.

How to know when it’s time to replace your pump control valve.

Posted on April 2, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

When you are maintaining or repairing your pumping system for irrigation, waste water, sewage lift, filtration, or any other use, some of the most critical parts of the pump station are the valves.

Pump Control Valve

To the untrained eye, every valve is the same. As long as the valve is in one piece, it is probably working correctly, right? Wrong! Control valves can break or work improperly—even if they look to be solid. While every case is a little different, here are a few tips for determining if your pump station control valves may need replacing:

Look for Leaks – While a significant leak would be apparent, smaller leaks may sneak up on you. Check around the pump control valve and look for leaks around control water tubing and indicator stem. Small leaks around these areas are easily repaired.
Rust – A rusted valve or corroded valve can be a disaster waiting to happen, especially in industrial or municipal applications. A rusted valve is usually a sign of leakage or other external corrosion. Depending on the type of fluid being pumped, external corrosion could be indicative of internal corrosion. Valve corrosion can cause the valve to be inoperable, which could be big trouble in the case of an emergency. Replacing the valve right away could prevent serious, expensive repairs down the line.
Noisy Pump – If your pump seems to be making more noise than usual or if it sounds like it has rocks in it, and these sounds are more noticeable than in the past, the pump control valve may not be working properly. Pump control valves can regulate the flow. A control valve that allows excessive flow may cause pump cavitation which can lead to expensive repairs.

Proper maintenance is important when you have a pump station or multiple pumps working to keep water circulating on your property or within your building. No one expects you to know it all yourself. If you have questions or concerns about pump control valves, installing a new pump, or general maintenance of any type, why not call the experts? The team at W.P. Law Incorporated have the knowledge and expertise to help you with all of your fluid handling needs. Call us or reach out to us online, and we will be happy to point you into the right direction. We look forward to assisting you with all your pump and fluid handling needs.

Month: April 2015