Announcement! This will be the last week for winterizing!
There are a certain percentage of my clients who like to live dangerously and they are the ones who wait until Thanksgiving and into December before they call us back for their annual winterizing. They have ignored our mailings since September, our repeated phone calls, and emails reminding them that this service is available and not an option.
It is my opinion that this be completed on time or else you can plan on expensive repairs instead of a vacation. The interesting point about this, having performed this vital service for over three decades, is that it is many of the same folks year after year who ignore my pleas. I understand that they all have good reasons and are absolutely legit in their argument not to winterize at the time I recommend. Some of their reasons include:
- I have been on a cruise and can't be home to let you in.
- I am in retail and this is my busy season and I can't be home.
- I am working many hours, two jobs, and going to school and I can't be home.
- I have kids and I can't remember to do anything on time.
The next three reasons are ok but after November 1st you really should water heavily and then shut down the sprinklers. The temperatures are cool to cold and there is not much evaporation.
- I have new landscaping and I must continue to water.
- I have a new lawn and I must continue to water.
- I just fertilized and I must continue to water.
The problem is that none of these reasons will thaw out their system and bring it back to life should the weather turn frigid and their sprinkler system freeze. Your sprinkler system is kind of like the character HUMPTY DUMPTY and you know once Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall well......that was it! Well, all I can do is replace the system in the spring. The real reason the sprinkler system hasn't been winterized is that the main valve, also known as the shut off valve, is in the house and in the basement. It is in a place that is inaccessible and we can't shut it off. You can't shut it off because it is plumbing or because it is in the basement and you don't go down there. I can't winterize the sprinkler system unless that valve is 100% off. Fortunately, there is a manufacturer that produces an all brass shut off valve that allows us to shut the system off from the outside. The main body of the valve is on the inside and the handle is long and protrudes through the wall of the house to the outside and is accessible. Now, I can shut your system down in the fall without you being home and also turn it on in the spring without you being home. Problem solved. The manufacturer of this ingenious product is Wilkins, and the model # is ZW3. Another great product is the FLOWTECH Shut-Off valve system, that operates on a battery operated control. I would like to see everyone who owns a system that has an inside shut off, to install one of these products. It would make everyone's life much simpler, save time, and be efficient. As a matter of fact, if my clients had this device on their system I would give them a discount on their spring and fall service which would more than make up for the cost to install. Please contact us to learn more on how to maintain your sprinkler system and make it last a very long time. For more information please call me at 631-423-2211 or email me at rsilverman@rainrich.com.
