June 2015

How do I meet requirements for controlling water runoff at my business?

Posted on June 25, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

Solve drainage problems and meet water runoff requirements at your business by trying out these helpful tips.

Water Runoff Piping

Controlling runoff at businesses can become a challenge if you don’t use the correct drainage and piping solutions. In addition, uncontrolled runoff from construction sites can negatively impact nearby rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Failing to properly control runoff can also result in the formation of stagnant water, growth of bacteria, and obstruction to traffic or pedestrian areas. To avoid these challenges, we have gathered together a few tips that will help you to meet requirements for controlling water runoff at your local business.

Control Business Landscaping Water Runoff

It is no secret that business lawn and landscape maintenance requires the use of large amounts of water. With this in mind, it is all too easy to forget to adjust watering systems in the presence of heavy rainfalls or drought-like conditions. In the former, excessive watering can lead to heavy runoffs; while the latter can cause fast-flowing water runoff due to the ground’s inability to properly absorb the water. To combat these challenges and to meet water runoff requirements try the following landscaping tips:

Group plants together based on their watering needs.
Schedule lawn irrigation for the early morning hours to reduce water waste.
Install a drainage system to direct the water into the appropriate areas.
Use low-precipitation-rate sprinklers to more evenly distribute water and prevent runoff.

Business Drainage Best Practices

To help direct the water to where it needs to go, without causing excessive runoff scenarios, you should make sure that your soil is properly drained. Proper grading can reduce excessive runoff and erosion and attaching pipes to the building’s gutters can better direct the flow of natural water. Keep in mind that there are specific regulations regarding what water can be directed towards the sewer systems. Make sure that you are up-to-date on your local government’s regulations, before you implement a drainage system that relies on the sewer network. Additionally, water runoff should never be directed towards the street. If you notice that the water is draining towards the street, try adding a water collection mechanism, such as a Flo-Well to your business’ gutters.

Meeting Requirements for Business Water Runoff

Understanding the regulations surrounding land use and waste disposal practices for businesses that are near water supply sources is essential when you are planning how to handle water runoff at your business. Contamination of a water source can result from point and non-point sources of pollution such as improper use and runoff of insecticides and herbicides. To avoid these contaminating instances, try using Flo-Wells to contain as much of the water onsite as possible.

To learn more about how to meet the runoff requirements for your business, we invite you to contact us today! W. P. Law, Inc. proudly carries a complete line of drainage and piping materials that are designed to solve almost every drainage problem. From catch basins and channel drains to handle excess surface water to flo-wells W. P. Law, Inc. has the drainage solution for you.

What is involved in installing a built in grill?

Posted on June 18, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

Ready to enjoy some outdoor cooking? Let’s talk about installing a built in grill for your outdoor kitchen, patio or deck:

Outdoor Kitchen

Baby, it’s beautiful outside and that means it’s time to take your cooking tasks outdoors to enjoy the beautiful weather. But if you don’t have an outdoor kitchen set up or are considering installing a built in grill, it’s easy to wonder about what’s involved in such a project. In this piece, we’ll discuss what you’ll need to do to install a built in grill for your outdoor kitchen.

Pick a Location and Choose a Grill

The first step in installing your grill is to decide where you want to put it. You’ll want to select a location that is convenient to your kitchen, outdoor dining area or other logical location so you’re not spending all your time moving things back and forth. If you’re installing a built in grill as part of a new outdoor kitchen, you’ll want to keep things close to your existing services, such as plumbing, gas lines, electrical lines or drainage.

Your next step is to figure out which grill will best meet your needs. Do you entertain a lot of people on a regular basis or is your scene cooking intimate dinners for two to enjoy under the stars? Do you like to use smoking chips over charcoal or are you busy and like the ease of firing up a gas grill? By taking into account what your needs are, you’ll be able to better select a grill that will work for you.

Plan Your Installation and Install Your Grill

The next things you should look at is how you’re going to incorporate the grill into your home’s outdoor functionality. Things you’ll want to keep in mind in planning your installation include how easy it is to clean the surrounding material, how well it will stand up to heat and how well it will match your home’s outdoor materials and surroundings. Don’t forget to take into account whether it’s protected from bad weather and what’s involved in getting utilities to the location. Once you’ve planned your installation, walk through it in your head and see if there are any problem areas that need to be addressed.

Enjoy Your Grill!

Now that you’ve got your grill installed, it’s time to enjoy! Spend an evening out enjoying your upgrade. If you need any assistance throughout the process, turn to the experts at W.P. Law, Inc. We are here to help you plan for and install the perfect built in grill for your home.

How do I know what pressure to set the irrigation system in my vineyard?

Posted on June 11, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

Create and maintain the correct pressure on your vineyard irrigation system to ensure that water distributes evenly.

Vineyard Irrigation

Setting the pressure for your vineyard’s irrigation system will depend on several factors including the type of irrigation system used, topography, and water requirements. One of the best watering and irrigation tactics for vineyards has been to use drip irrigation. It is important to note that drip irrigation methods should be installed so that they can uniformly apply water. Drip irrigation will use a wire for support and either in-line or punch-in emitters to distribute the water. Whether you choose to install a drip irrigation system, or prefer to use another watering method, it is important that you maintain the correct pressure.

Pressure Control Considerations

The proper pressure setting for the irrigation equipment that you choose will vary somewhat by the manufacturer. Always consult the manufacturer’s design information when making this decision.

Pressure compensating vs. non-pressure compensating emitters—Since most vineyards are grown in mountainous regions or on other undulating terrain, pressure compensating emitters are a must. Most pressure compensating emitters will compensate between 25 to 50 psi. Pressure compensating emitters allow for the change in pressure caused by change in elevation and friction loss along the lateral drip tubing.
Pressure control valves vs. pre-set pressure regulators – Pressure control valves allow for the adjustment of the outgoing pressure and they can also serve as an on-off valve as well. Pre-set pressure regulators usually do not allow for any pressure adjustment and usually have a limited flow range. Pre-set regulators can also be inaccurate at the low or high end of their flow range.
Set pressure for system uniformity – The primary goal for proper pressure regulation is system uniformity. The objective is for a plant at the end of a row to receive the same amount of water as the plant at the beginning of the row. Uniformities of 90 to 95% are not uncommon when the system is designed and installed properly.

Trouble Shooting Pressure Issues

If maintaining the proper pressure continues to be a problem, here are some things to consider.

Check the manufacturer’s design guide to determine the optimum pressure setting.
Check for clogged emitters. Clogged emitters lower the system flow rate which will cause the system pressure to increase.
Check for clogged filter system. A filter that is not cleaned or backwashing properly can cause low system pressure.
Check for leaks. Large leaks or a lot of small leaks can cause low system pressure.

To learn more about how to properly install and pressurize your vineyard’s irrigation system, we invite you to contact us at W.P. Law, Inc. Our team of experts is ready to help you choose the correct system for your specific vineyard needs.

Why is the water pump for my irrigation system not turning on?

Posted on June 4, 2015September 8, 2022 by splashme@splashomnimedia.com

When you need to troubleshoot your irrigation pump, here are some options to consider in the process:

Sprinkler

When you’re trying to keep your irrigation working well, there are few things as frustrating as water pump problems. What’s wrong with it? Why won’t it work? Here are some great ideas on troubleshooting your irrigation system’s water pump:

There’s no power getting to the pump.

If the pump is not turning on at all, you may want to start with the obvious and check to make sure the breaker is not turned off or tripped. If you reset a tripped breaker and it continues to trip, you may have an issue with the wire running to the pump or the pump motor itself. Other possibilities include the irrigation controller and/or pump start relay. Most irrigation controllers use an external pump start relay to send power to the pump. The irrigation controller sends a 24 VAC signal to the pump start relay. This 24 VAC signal energizes a coil that pulls in a set of contacts that completes the high voltage (usually 240 VAC) circuit and sends power to the pump motor. If the coil or contacts on the pump start relay are bad then the pump will not run. Likewise, if the irrigation controller is not sending that 24 VAC signal to the pump start relay, then the pump will not run. When dealing with electrical issues it is best to contact a qualified irrigation contractor or a licensed electrician.

The pump has lost prime.

All centrifugal pumps need to be primed. Yes, even “self-priming” pumps. “Priming” a pump simply means filling the pump casing and suction piping with water and ensuring that there is no air in the suction piping. Even “self-priming” pumps need at least their pump casings filled with water before they will pump. If a pump repeated loses prime between irrigation cycles, it probably means you have a leaking foot valve.

Suction lift is too high.

If your irrigation pump has been working fine and now seems to be struggling, you may need to check the suction lift. This can be a common problem during prolonged droughts when lake levels drop. The suction lift is the vertical distance between the water surface and the pump inlet. The friction losses through the suction piping and foot valve are also included in this calculation. Many times when the suction lift is getting too high the pump will sound like it has rocks in it. This noise is cavitation, which can literally destroy the internal components of the pump. If the pump’s suction lift is too high, you may be able to temporarily relocate your pump closer to the water source to remedy this problem.

There’s a blockage in the system.

Another reason your pump may be performing poorly is that the foot valve or the impeller may have blockages. Moss, leaves, and other debris can be drawn next to the intake screen on your foot valve restricting the amount of water that you pump can deliver. This also causes the suction lift to increase and may cause cavitation. The pump impeller can also become blocked with small particles such as pebbles and sand. Sometimes these small particles can pass through the intake screen and become lodged in the impeller vanes causing the pump performance to suffer.

Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to troubleshoot your system. For a more comprehensive pump troubleshooting guide visit our website. Contact us with any additional questions or to request help from our team of professionals.

Month: June 2015