3 Reasons an Irrigation System Increases Your Home’s Value

Did you know that adding an irrigation system to your yard and landscaping can increase your home’s value? It might sound too good to be true, but there are many reasons sprinklers can mean added value. Here are three of them.

Reason #1: Curb Appeal

Your house is your most significant investment, and most homeowners want the outside to be as appealing as the inside. If your landscaping is brown or limp or not thriving, it makes your home value drop. A sprinkler system can help your lawn and gardens always get the water they need to look great and give your home the curb appeal it deserves.

Reason #2: Convenience

Dragging hoses and sprinklers around isn’t anyone’s idea of fun, especially for potential homebuyers. Even if you’re not selling your home soon, planning for what appeals to potential buyers by adding a sprinkler system now is a great investment. And it will make your life easier while you live in your home.

Reason #3: Use Less Water and Save on Water Bills

Sprinkler systems do more than just make it easy and convenient to keep your lawn looking great – they help you use less water. A reliable system with programming capabilities helps you regulate your water use and only irrigate when you want or need to. This means cutting down on excess water use and saving money on your monthly water bills.

There are many options when it comes to house projects and upgrades that can add value to your home. Sprinkler systems might not be the most obvious, but they do have great potential to increase the value of your home. To find out more about the benefits of a sprinkler system, reach out to the experts at W.P. Law, Inc.

Will My Drainage System Pass Inspection? Here is Your Assessment Checklist

Inspection of your drainage system is as important as any other building inspection, residential, commercial, or otherwise. It ensures safety and helps cut down on damage and costly repairs. Before the inspector arrives, it’s helpful to understand what they look for. Here is the drainage system inspection assessment checklist many inspectors use you can reference.

  • Check for clogs on surface drains and the condition of grates
  • Look for erosion, water pooling, channels created by water flow, and soil erosion
  • Identify insects and other pests, oil, and foul odors
  • Ensure there isn’t a buildup of trash or debris
  • Check for clogging at system outlets
  • Look for evidence of mowing and clearing of grass, weeds, and other plantings
  • Inspect the system and components for damage
  • Identify any connections that don’t meet code
  • Look for sediment accumulation in the basins

Inspectors may also use camera systems to inspect the pipes and underground parts of the drain system. The cameras help give them a view of what they can’t see above ground with a physical inspection. Some of the things they look for are blockages caused by industrial, liquid, food, plant, and sanitary waste. Engineers can evaluate what they see, write up a report, and recommend updates, repairs, or next steps.

Drainage system inspections are critical to ensure you don’t end up with floods, leaks, or property damage. Contact W.P. Law, Inc. today for everything you need to know about drainage systems and how to prep for your inspection.

3 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Agricultural Irrigation System

Consumers rely on farmers for food, and farmers rely on their agricultural irrigation systems to grow the crops. But not all irrigation methods are right for every crop and location. When choosing a system, be sure to consider these three factors.

#1: Your Soil

Soil type is a significant consideration in the type of irrigation you need. If your soil is sandy, you’ll need to water more often as the sand won’t retain the moisture, so you’ll need a system that can withstand frequent cycles. If your soil is more like clay, it can retain moisture more effectively and requires less frequent application and water applied at a lower rate. This will prevent the water from running off and allow it to absorb into the soil.

#2: The Types of Crops

Different crops require different types of irrigation. For example, corn, and soybeans require less precision than vegetables, fruit, and orchards. Whether you use drip irrigation, traveler or center pivot depends on the height of your crops, whether they’re high-value, and how much water they need daily.

#3:  The Quality of Your Water

Some systems require filtration before water application to protect the system’s components. The type of crops will also determine the type of system if they require chlorine injections or other additives or filtration to protect the quality and edibility of the food.

Contact the team at W.P. Law, Inc. for the knowledge and experience you need to make sure your crops are getting the irrigation they need.

My Pump System Froze, Now What?

Your pump system runs your irrigation system, and if not properly winterized, the coldest month of the year could take it out of commission. Frozen pipes are bad enough, but a frozen pump can bring everything to a screeching halt. Follow these four steps if your pump system freezes.

Step 1: Open the Valves

If the pump is not completely frozen, allowing just a trickle of water to flow can prevent pumps and piping from freezing. Open faucets, fixtures, or valves to allow for water flow.  In some cases, even if the water freezes, the open valves will allow room for expansion as the water freezes, thus preventing the pump and piping from being damaged.

Step 2: Apply Heat

Heat from a source other than a flame is the first step to managing a frozen pump system. You want to get the water flowing as quickly as possible before it expands so much that it ruptures the pipes and the housing on the station. Examples of non-flame heat include heat tape, a space heater, electric blankets, and work lamps.

Step 3: Watch the Pressure

As the pump and the pipes start to thaw with applied heat, it should restore the pressure and allow water to flow again. However, if you don’t see water flow to all valves or fixtures, it could mean there is still some freezing in one or more of the lines.

Step 4: Call in the Pros

If you think or know you have a frozen pump system and you’re having trouble restoring water flow, it could need some professional attention or repair. Contact the irrigation and pump system experts at W.P. Law, Inc. Their staff are standing by for all irrigation and pump system issues.

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