Rain Rich Blog

Sprinkler Modifications

2010-07-29T14:07:18Z

This summer has been a challenge on many levels, the weather being the most extreme. Scheduling sprinkler systems to run, the frequency, and duration has been the focus the last several weeks. When we schedule the calls for controller adjustments we are also finding many other issues being discovered for the first time. To compound the situation is that the past several seasons have seen above average rainfall in June - August which has masked many of the problems in the system and in the yard.

Every year your sprinkler system should be evaluated for proper coverage due to the fact that as sprinkler systems age the following occurs:

1. Sprinkler heads go out of adjustment.

2. Sprinkler heads are crooked and do not spray properly.

3. There are broken or partially broken sprinkler heads and pipes.

4. Sprinkler pipe is chocked off due to root growth.

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5. Sprinkler valves have debris in them and do not turn on and off properly.

6. Sprinkler field wiring is broken due to mechanical damage, corrosion, rodent issues, etc.

7. Landscape plants have grown and now block coverage of sprinkler heads spraying.

8. Landscape has changed and sprinkler coverage was never addressed.

9. Sprinkler system is old and needs to be updated. According to the leading irrigation manufacturers, the lifespan of the average residential sprinkler system is 12 years.

10. The sprinkler system has not been maintained properly and repairs and replacements are numerous.

11. Water pressure in your area has significantly changed and sprinkler system does not operate at the new low pressure.

My recommendation is that you have your sprinkler system evaluated each summer after all the plants have sent out their new growth. Usually this is at the end of June and in July. I recommend that we perform an irrigation audit and check for uniform coverage and application of water.

If you are a Service Agreement client there is no charge for the irrigation audit. All others, $70.00 fee for the evaluation and report. A few dollars invested in your sprinkler system now can save you thousands of dollars in lawn and plant replacement this fall. For more information or to schedule an appointment then please call 631-423-2211 or click here.

Lawns Looking Terrible?

2010-07-20T16:00:56Z

"I water all the time and my lawn still looks terrible!"

This is the most common complaint from many of my clients that have been calling during this hot and dry period. When I respond to the call I first look to make sure that the sprinklers are coming on and running. Second, I check the program to see that the watering is more frequent and for a longer run time. July is the hottest and driest month of the year. Lawn and plants are under great stress to stay healthy and look their best.

Here are the top 10 problems I find :

1. Not watering enough. The average evapotranspiration rate of a plant on a sunny hot day could be 0.25"/day or greater. Equal amounts of water need to be replaced with an irrigation cycle. Check the coverage of the sprinkler heads and make sure that they are covering from one sprinkler head to the next sprinkler head and overlap each other.

2. The water pressure may be to low to allow sprinklers to operate properly due to high demand by all consumers during specific times of the day.

3. Watering during the day when sun is the strong and evaporates most of the water before it penetrates into the soil.

4. Lawns are cut too short. Grass should be cut 3" and higher each time it is mowed in the summer. Cutting it shorter that 3" allows sunlight to bake the soil and roots.

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5. The soil has very low organic matter and has very little water holding capacity.

6. The soil is very heavy and hard and does not allow water to infiltrate.

7. The turf has not been core aerated and therefore is compacted and will not allow water, air, and nutrients to penetrate into the root zone.

8. Lawn has a fungus due to high heat and humidity. E.g. summer patch

9. Lawn has insect problem. e.g. chinch bugs, grubs.

Here are some suggestions to provide relief to your lawn during this time:

1. Increase the amount of time you run each cycle.

2. Run multiple cycles (2 - 3) per day to allow water to soak into soil.

3. Check to make sure all the sprinklers are working properly.

4. Check to make sure each zone comes on during an automatic cycle

5. Check your water pressure during different times of the day and operate you sprinkler system during the highest pressure. If you can't obtain 50psi - 60psi then you may have to install a booster pump.

6. Have your lawn cut at 3" height or higher. The longer the blade of grass the deeper the root.

7. Make sure the lawn mower blade is sharp.

8. Use organic controls only. These products are safe and most have no long lasting residue.

9. Wait until Labor Day to renovate your lawn. No sense doing it now as it is too hot.

10. Have your soil tested for pH, % organic matter, mineral content, etc and then treat accordingly.

The science of growing and maintaining a lawn has advanced rapidly and is rather simple if you follow a simple basic plan. Start with the right foundation of soil, water, and nutrients. Think "soil" when improving your lawn. Amend your soil with the proper nutrients and complete with the correct watering and your lawn will be the picture of beauty.

Should you have any questions on how to help reduce the stress your lawn feel free to contact us at 631.423.2211 or email us.

Wetting Agents

2010-07-15T16:55:28Z

Here is a really great article which we thought everyone should read, especially considering the HEAT WAVE and LACK of PRECIPITATION.

Information on Wetting Agents and Drought/Heat Stress on Turf

written by NaEx Corp.

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July is Smart Irrigation Month

2010-07-13T16:02:55Z

July is the peak month for water usage in the U.S.

Sprinkler system usage accounts for an estimated 70% of all water used. It is the goal of Rain Rich Sprinklers and the National Irrigation Association to conserve water at all times. Clean fresh water is a precious commodity and should not to be wasted, especially with a growing population and an increase demand for agriculture and landscape use.

Rain Rich has been leading the way for more than 28 years to use water conserving designs and efficient sprinkler equipment to help save water, reduce cost, and provide a healthy landscape.

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The following Rain Rich Water Conserving Program includes:

1. Efficient design using pressure regulated sprinklers and nozzles.

2. Use of high efficient equipment by top manufactures including, Hunter, Toro and Rainbird.

3. Drip irrigation for border plantings, flower pots and irregular shaped areas.

4. Low volume sprinkler head nozzling.

5. Match precipitation on all sprinkler zones.

6. Uniform application for all turf areas.

7. Proper scheduling of sprinkler system to maximize every drop of water and eliminate waste.

8. Audit existing sprinkler systems and locate broken sprinklers and pipes, clogged nozzles, leaks, blocked sprinklers due to overgrown vegetation, tree root choke of underground pipe.

9. Upgrade old equipment to more efficient sprinkler heads, valves and controllers.

10. Install a Rainbird Soil Moisture Device or a Hunter Solar Sync which will automatically increase or decrease your run times based upon temperature and sunlight.

11. Install and maintain a rain sensor, They work!

12. Visually inspect your sprinkler system once or twice a month to identify potential problems.

13. Use organic fertilizers, composts and teas to improve the soil. Research has shown that soil with a large percent of organic matter increases the water holding capacity of the soil making it more available to turf and plants.

Call us at 631.423.2211 to discuss all of the above and for a free Irrigation Audit. Please be a part of conserving water in celebration of Smart Irrigation Month. To learn more tips about water conservation visit Irrigation Association and EPA Water Sense.

The HEAT is on! SPRINKLER ALERT!

2010-07-06T16:47:55Z

DUE TO HIGH HEAT AND PROLONG DRY PERIOD WE ARE ADVISING ALL OF OUR CLIENTS TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

1. Increase the run time on your rotary sprinkler zones to 60 minutes per day.

2. Increase your SPRAY sprinkler zones to water for 20 minutes every day.

3. Increase your DRIP IRRIGATION zones to water for 60 minutes every day.

4. Increase the water budget key on your sprinklers to 120% or more.

5. Water as early in the morning as possible. Start at 1 am if possible. This will give your system the greatest pressure and volume and operate at the highest efficiency. It will also finish the cycle before you are up and using water in the home.

6. Try not to use water in the house at the same time you are using your sprinkler system. There is not enough water to handle the demand.

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7. Try not to water during the day.

8. Observe local ordinances such as odd/even day watering.

9. Visually check your system for broken pipe, broken sprinklers, clogged nozzles, and blocked spray from overgrown lawn, plants, and trees.

10. If your landscape is still thirsty then run a second cycle at the end of the day or early evening.

11. If you can't figure out how to use your controller then I recommend you call the manufacturer tech support. They have a staff to walk you through using the controller.

12. Call us and make an appointment if you have sprinkler related problems. The office is very busy and the phone is always in use. You can also email us at jsenk@rainrich.com, shansen@rainrich.com, and mnava@rainrich.com.

Thanks, and stay cool!

Drip Irrigation for Pots

2010-06-30T20:12:51Z

Many Rain Rich clients have been adding flower pots, flower boxes, and hanging baskets to their homes, patios and pool areas only to find difficulty watering them regularly. I resolved this situation several years ago by adding drip irrigation to all of the above. It was so successful that I took it one step further by installing a separate drip zone for the flower pots which is independent of the existing sprinkler system having the ability to run the cycle more frequently and for a longer period of time. Now when your sprinklers are on the flower pots are automatically being watered.

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Rain Rich can also install a fertilizer system that can feed these pots each time the drip system operates. My clients are more than pleased with the results.

Drip irrigation, also known as micro irrigation, is a low volume method of delivering water slowly, close to the root zone of plants. The technology has been around for over 50 years and has been successfully used in the agriculture and landscape industry. The Rain Rich Drip Irrigation System allows water to absorb slowly into the soil. The slow delivery is what plants desire and benefit from resulting in faster growth, healthier plants, and fewer pests.

The options for customizations for drip irrigation are limitless and our system is extremely versatile. The flexible tubing, emitters, and connections allows us to reach any area. I can precisely deliver the correct amount of water with the proper amount of nutrients with little or no waste.

For a free estimate email Rich or please call 631-423-2211.

Sprinkler System Scheduling

2010-06-29T19:51:46Z

Programming a sprinkler systems can be a relatively simple task once you have a few basic guidelines. Scheduling is programming the controller for the number of days per week you want the system to operate combined with the duration that each zone waters also known as the run time. You can have your sprinkler system programmed to come on every day, every other day, every third day, and so on. Other factors to consider while programming would be the type of plant material to be watered, the type of soil the plant material is rooted in, sun vs. shade, flat land vs. hill side? All are important in determining the correct amount of water to be applied in a given time period.

Generally speaking, for the north shore of Long Island, the program that works the best is watering every other day and/or watering on odd or even days of the month. The soils on the north shore are typically heavy clay or a heavy clay loam and are compacted. They do not accept water very well and have poor drainage. The positive characteristic of this is that clay soils hold water better and longer making it available to many types of trees and plants. The sprinkler system can operate less frequently and for shorter periods of time in these conditions.

]]> Sandy soil allows for fast percolation and has good drainage but does not hold water very well and thus needs to be watered much more frequently and for a longer period of time. It is important to know your soil type as this will help determine how long your sprinklers should be on and operating. If your property is very sandy then you may need to water every day. If you have clay soils then every other day or every third day during the summer works best. Many communities and water providers have required odd and even day watering. If you have an odd number house then you are only allowed to water on odd days and if you have even number house then only on even days of the calendar. This helps reduce water usage and a strain on the water supply infrastructure. Many communities cannot have their consumers all watering at the same time because the supply and the supply system cannot provide for it. In my opinion, I like to see Rain Rich customer's water 2x or 3x per week. An every other day program is sufficient.

The question that usually arises is "how long should I have my sprinklers run?" There is no set amount of time due to the fact each house and property varies. Here are some guidelines for summer watering:

Lawn areas that are in full sun all day long 40 - 60 minutes each rotary zone, 10 -15 minutes for a spray zone.

Lawn areas in the shade most of the day then 20 - 40 minutes each rotary zone, 5- 10 minutes for a spray zone.

Trees and shrubs for a spray zone, 15 - 20 minutes per day.

If you see your lawn and shrub areas puddling up, cut back on the run time for that zone.

When the weather is hot and dry then be on the high side and when it cools down then the low side. It is best not to over water as that will leach out nutrients from the soil and displace oxygen in the soil.

If the weather is really hot and dry for a long period of many days and weeks then cycling through your sprinkler system program a second time during the day a few hours after the first cycle is completed will help without wasting water. The challenge with regard to scheduling is to running the sprinklers long enough to meet the needs of the plant material whether it is lawn, shrubs, trees, and flowers and also be absorbed by the soil but not so much that it infiltrates past the root zone or runs off to another area.

It is uncommon here on the north shore of Long Island to find soil with good drainage. The soil here can be a very heavy clay loam. It does not allow water to percolate in and either runs off or puddles on the ground. When this happens then you are wasting water and pulling nutrients from the soil and washing them away. One common technique is to have your controller run for less time but cycle more frequently. This way you give the soil time to absorb the water. I recommend using the seasonal adjust button on your Hunter pro-c controller. During those super dry hot weeks, like the one we are having now is to turn up the seasonal adjust button to 120% or more. A 10 minute run time is now 12 minutes. When the weather cools down you can decrease the seasonal adjust button to 80% and now a 10 minute zone is operating at 8 minutes. Again, this is just a guide and it is always best to walk your yard and observe. The unscientific method is to walk on your lawn and observes the grass you just flatten - if it springs back then there is sufficient moisture if the grass stays flat then it needs water.

The best time to water is very early in the morning due to better pressure and volume. I prefer to set the clock to start at 2:00 am and finish by 6:00 am. This way there is no interference with water usage in the home. EARLY MORNING WATERING IS BEST because it is typically a calm time of day with little wind and therefore the water from the sprinkler reaches its intended target - your lawn and garden. There is very little loss of water due to evaporation. TRY NOT TO WATER AFTER 10 AM AS NOW THE DAY IS HEATING UP and water will be wasted as it will evaporate before it goes deep into the soil. However, if your lawn and plants needs water then by all means water it. Many golf courses will water in the middle of a hot day just to cool the grass down. It is a myth that a drop of water sitting on the leaf of a blade of grass or any plant in bright sun acts as magnifying glass and burns the plant.

Try not to water in the evening or at night as a soggy lawn and landscape in warm humid weather promotes fungus and other diseases and overall creates an unhealthy condition. Again, if you have to water because you notice your plants needing extra then please water!

For help adjusting your controller, please refer to the quick guide inside the door panel. Hunter, Rainbird, and Toro offer additional help on line and instruction manuals if you misplaced yours that you can download for free.

Hunter or 1-800-733-2823
Rainbird
Toro

If you still need help, when all else fails, adjusting your controller do not hesitate to contact our office at 631-423-2211 for further discussion.

Sprinkler Repairs- Zone Valve Won't Shut Off

2010-06-01T14:56:29Z

Every so often a zone will stay on long past its time to have shut down. Many times this is due to the solenoid valve or zone valve being stuck in the "open" position. You try to stop the zone from being "on" by turning the controller to "off" and the zone stays "on". Next, you remove the plug from the controller thinking that it can't get any power and yet the zone stays "on". The problem is hydraulic not electrical. Typically it is because there is dirt and debris in the zone valve preventing it from closing even though the controller has ceased sending a signal for the valve to be "open" or "on" the valve can't physically close. The only way to close down the zone is to shut off the sprinkler main valve.

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Once the water is off to the sprinkler system then the valve can be taken apart and cleaned. Over the years, I have found nuts, bolts, rocks, glass, and unidentifiable objects in all kinds of solenoid valves. These objects work their way into your plumbing system and then into your sprinkler system from the water main out in the street. It happens every spring when people start using more water and on really hot days when everyone is watering their lawn. The more water the public uses simultaneously the more turbulence there is in the water mains. Therefore, the more debris is stirred up and distributed to everyone.

The "solenoid valves" have a rubber diaphragm and small ports inside that create a pressure differential making the valves open and close using low voltage electricity and controllers. Once those ports get clogged or dirt settles on the diaphragm then the valve cannot close down. Sometimes if you turn the water on and off to the system that will dislodge the debris and it will move downstream to the sprinkler heads. Most of the time I will need to come by and take the valve apart and remove the debris. Sometimes the debris ruins the internal components and they will require replacing. On older systems, the solenoid valves may not be able to be serviced and then the entire valve will need to be replaced. If you live in an area that has an older water main infrastructure then I recommend installing a filter before the manifold and zone valves to catch all the debris. There are several very good filters on the market that would do a great job preventing problems in your sprinkler system. For more information or questions about this problem please call 631.423.2211 or email me.

Sprinkler Repairs Root Choke

2010-05-26T17:57:14Z

We have turned the corner on spring and heading into summer, trees and shrubs are in their annual growth spurt. It is one of my favorite times of year when all the plants leaf out, the lawn is green, and almost every plant is flowering. As the weather turns significantly warmer the sprinklers should be operating on a frequent schedule - not like July but at about 70% of what would be normal summer watering. One of the more numerous service requests we hear is when a zone or section of sprinklers is not operating as it should.

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There is the possibility that the new growth from the trees and their roots are growing around the sprinkler system pipe and then squeezing it closed like a Boa Constrictor. It is a difficult repair because we either have to chop the tree root and a section of damaged pipe then replace it or reroute the pipe around the tree altogether. It is not an easy repair and a time consuming job, and if not repaired upon noticing then the tree root will eventually close off the pipe preventing the system from operating or break the pipe and cause a flood on your property. Some of the tell tale signs of "root choke" are:

1. Very large trees on the property that have been there many years. Maples usually are the worst trees to deal with because their roots are at the surface. Sweet Gum, Elm, and Locust are on the top of the list as well.

2. The sprinklers were working fine during the spring turn on but they aren't now. Again, big trees have big roots and when their branches are growing in May and June then their roots are also growing.

3. It's an older sprinkler system and trees were planted near the piping many years ago.

4. Half the sprinklers in the zone work well and the other half don't.

5. There is no leak in the zone and yet you are positive the zone is on and operating.

6. There are trees/shrubs visibly planted between the sprinklers and some sprinklers work and some don't.

Depending upon the size and type of pipe that is in the ground most repairs can be completed successfully. It is a myth that trees can sense the water in the pipe and grow to the pipe and surround it in order to get water. If there is sufficient moisture in the ground then the trees and all the other plants are happy. You can't underestimate the power of tree's and their roots. There are examples of their strength everywhere e.g. heaving sidewalks made of concrete, cracked foundations of buildings, trees growing in rocks and splitting them open. A good idea is to visually inspect your sprinkler system every other week checking to see that it is operating well. Please call 631.423.2211 or email us any questions you may have.

Financing Now Available!

2010-05-21T17:32:42Z

If you have been dreaming of enhancing your property with automatic lawn sprinklers, lighting or any of Rain Rich services, flexible financing is now available.

Rain Rich has teamed up with John Deere Credit to offer our customers affordable financing. John Deere offers two different financing options and we are sure either one will work for you.

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John Deere is currently offering:

1. 6 months no interest financing
2. 12.9% with low monthly payments

It couldn't be easier. Simply choose one of the two offers and complete the credit application on-line at John Deere and get an answer in minutes. You can also call John Deere Customer Service, 1-800-347-4272 and speak to one of their knowledgeable service representatives.

Applications are subject to credit approval by John Deer Credit Revolving Plan. Terms and condition will apply. Call and open your account up today!

Mother's Day

2010-05-05T20:26:56Z

This weekend marks a very special holiday, Mother's Day.

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln

In celebration of this holiday most will buy flowers, plants or cards but we thought why not buy her something different, something she would love and last for a long time.

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Get creative and give her something that gives her more time for herself. Buy her something amazing, a Rain Rich Gift Certificate.

We are pleased to announce that we now offer Gift Certificates for many of our
services. They include:

New sprinkler system installations
Fertigation Systems
Modifications to existing systems
Drip Irrigation Systems for:
o Rose Gardens
o Vegetable Gardens
o Hanging Baskets
o Flower Pots
o Window Boxes

What better way to show her your appreciation than with a gift certificate

Rain Rich Gift Certificates are great gift for birthdays, anniversaries or holidays. To get more information simply call 631.423.2211 and we'll be happy to help you.

We wish all you a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Earth Day 2010

2010-04-20T20:17:58Z

Forty years ago, Americans across the nation took a promise for cleaner air, safer water and to preserve our planets natural resources. Tomorrow over 200 million Americans and over 140 nations will come together to celebrate Earth Day.

Earth Day was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970. In the early 60's he began to worry that the world was dirty and many of our plants and animals were dying. He wondered why people weren't trying to solve these problems so he began to write letters and travel around the country to express his concerns. Then he came up with the idea to dedicate one special day, environmental teach-in day, to educate everyone about the things that needed changing in our environment.

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Gaylord Nelson's demonstration for the environmental teach-in day was planned to reach all organized colleges and universities. He chose this day in order to maximize participation on college campuses. This was the best day/week because it didn't fall during any school exams, spring breaks, didn't conflict with any national holiday such as Easter or Passover and it was later enough in the spring that the weather was decent. Once the idea caught fire, hundreds of people gathered together from all over and made a promise to help our environment and that's how Earth day came about.

Earth Day Events:
• Saturday 4/24 Huntington Family Earth Day Expo,
Huntington 9-1pm
• Saturday 4/24 Indian Island Park Earth Day Celebration, Riverhead 10-4pm
• Saturday 4/24 Seatuck Eco-Carnival, Islip 1:30-3pm
• Saturday & Sunday 4/24-4/25 Arbor Day Family Festival, Oyster Bay 10-5pm
• Sunday 4/25 Pedal for the Planet, Syosset 12-2pm

Earth Day Tips:
1. Reduce & Reuse
• Buy and use only what you need.
• Buy products with less packaging. It takes 500 years to break down plastic and most families throw away 88 pounds of plastic every year.
• Repair items as much as possible.
• Use cloth napkins or towels.
• Reuse it! Be creative as you look for new ways to reduce the amount household waste. Give cardboard tubes to pet hamsters or gerbils. Plant seeds in an egg carton. Make a flower pot out of a plastic ice cream tub.

2. Recycle
• Recycle paper (printer paper, newspapers, mail, etc.), plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans. If your community doesn't collect at the curb, take them to a collection center.
• Donate extras to people you know or to charity instead of throwing them away.
• Compost food scraps, grass and other yard clippings, and dead plants.
• Recycle and buy-recycled.
• Dispose of car batteries, engine oil and tires properly at your town or drop off at local shops.
• Use NiCad rechargeable batteries instead of throwing away old batteries.

3. Shop green.
• Buy local and organic. Wild by Nature & Sweet Potatoes Organic Market in Huntington or Whole Foods in Jericho.
• Buy foods in season to reduce refrigeration and transportation costs.

4. Conserve energy.
•Take advantage of natural lighting. Change to energy saving light bulbs.
• Keep thermostats set low, 68 degrees.
• Turn off the lights when you leave the room. Install sensors or timers to turn lights on and off.
• When buying appliances, check for the EPA Energy Star rating.
• Eat more vegetables and grow them yourself, even if it's only a container garden. Livestock production requires enormous amounts of energy. Far more energy is put into animals per unit of food than for any plant crop. The main reason is that cattle consume 16 times as much grain as they produce as meat.

5. Don't waste water.
• Take short showers and shallow baths.
• Turn off the water while shaving, brushing, soaping, or shampooing.
• Repair leaky faucets, pipes, and toilets.
• Practice outdoor water conservation. Do not wash down driveways, streets or sidewalks.
• Buy products that are EPA Water Sense rated.

Remember every day is Earth Day. For additional information on events and things you can do to help our planet visit www.earthday.org and the Earth Day Network at www.network.earthday.net.

Rain Rich Going Green: Save water with our water conservation products. Including eco-friendly rotary nozzles, green controllers and timers, green weather sensors, eco-friendly rain sensors and more... We carry Hunter solar sync, Toro rain sensors and Rain Bird soil moisture sensors.

Additional suggestions & tips:
• Install Low Volume Drip Irrigation
• Landscape with natural indigenous plants
• Use grass seed to grow lawns that can adapt to our climate limiting water, fertilizer and pesticides
• Use edible plants in the landscape such as blueberries, fruit trees, spinach and kale.
• Use mulch in planting beds to conserve water and keep weeds down.
• Think twice before you use the product preen.

Sprinkler Price vs. Sprinkler Value

2010-03-29T14:47:34Z

Each year I visit several hundred homes and businesses to estimate installing or replacing a lawn sprinkler system. Ultimately, the goal is to have a thick, green, lush lawn and a beautiful garden all season long, and the sprinkler system is an integral part in achieving this goal. A sprinkler system can be much more complicated then you might think and the cost often reflects the sophistication and complexity.

When I meet with the property owner, many are obtaining several estimates and comparing companies. They all have one general basis for getting quotes and this would be "price". It is difficult to compare products and design although that is the "key" to making a wise purchase.

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The other two major factors are the actual installation and the follow up service. When the response to my proposal is "your price is too high" I typically inquire as to how are you qualifying this low price company? How did you qualify the owner and the individuals installing the system? Do you know what the three biggest mistakes buyers make when purchasing a sprinkler system? They are sprinkler system design, materials, and installation. You need to have all three to make the best decision and in purchasing the optimum automatic sprinkler system possible.

I advise folks on the life cycle cost of the system. The life cycle cost is the cost to install the sprinkler system, service the system each year, and make repairs and modifications when necessary. Typically, the average sprinkler system is rated to last 12 years. This is according to several large sprinkler manufacturers, and if it is well taken care of then it can last longer. If not winterized properly each year, the life span is cut short.

Most consumers have a sprinkler system installed and then after the first year have service costs such as the "spring turn on", the "winter turn off", and possibly if directed from the water district, a "backflow test". As the sprinkler system gets older repairs and replacements become part of the annual costs. It is difficult to estimate what those costs will be. The truth is that the low end budget systems always have a higher service and repair cost thereby passing the better system in their life cycle costing. My recommendation is to take the time to research the company you like, the design, and the products they recommend before you invest you're hard earned dollars into a new sprinkler system.

Hire a lawn sprinkler contractor that is a lawn sprinkler contractor! This might sound crazy and there are many individuals and landscaping companies masquerading as a lawn sprinkler company and they are not. Hire a local, licensed, and insured individual and company. Hire a company that has individuals who are certified as irrigation contractors by the National Irrigation Association

Choose the best material possible! The really good materials do not cost much more than the mediocre lesser quality economical brands yet they deliver value, performance, and longevity. Hunter, Toro, and Rainbird are all great manufacturers to consider. Have your sprinkler, landscape, and lawn maintenance company work together to create the best watering schedule.

There are sprinkler systems to fit every budget and not all automated sprinkler systems are created equal. It is best to know the value of your purchase and how it will impact your landscape and your wallet years after making the initial decision.

Caveat Emptor "Let the Buyer Beware" For more information please contact me at 631-423-2211 or email me Rich with any questions or comments you may have.

Spring is Here!

2010-03-23T18:30:10Z

Spring arrives this week after a long, cold, and snowy winter.

"I like each season in its turn & apt to think the present one the best" Charles Dickens

This past week we enjoyed great weather for this time of year and on St. Patrick's Day we even set some warm weather records and green everything up in a hurry. We might experience some cold days here and there and maybe even an occasional snow but I feel we turned a corner and spring is here to stay. I can almost see the lawn turning greener each day and the hydrangeas leaf out. The forsysthia are beginning to show their beautiful yellow flowers and this is the sign that it is now time to activate your sprinkler system.

]]> You may not need to operate it regularly. Instead of using it as an automatic lawn sprinkler system use it occasionally on the very warm days as a manual sprinkler system.

Having your lawn sprinkler system professionally activated and prepared for spring and summer is probably one of the best small investments you can make to keep your lawn and landscape healthy throughout the summer.

My recommendation is to have Rain Rich team start up the sprinkler system now, check through the entire system, program the controller, trouble shoot any problems that may appear. If you need sprinkler repairs, replacements and modifications then now is the time to find the issues and resolve them. Now, in all probability you won't need to run your sprinklers regularly until mid May so I would put the controller dial to 'off' until your landscape requires regular watering.

What's a spring turn on?

The Rain Rich service technician has a check list that he follows as he services each client. The checklist includes the following:

1. Slowly turn on the main valve and gently let water fill in the sprinkler main and manifold.

2. Check the manifold and zone valves for leaks.

3. Check the backflow device for leaks.

4. Gently open each solenoid valve, one at a time, and fill each zone.

5. Inspect zone area for leaks.

6. Inspect each sprinkler head for leaks, rotation, and spray.

7. Check the controller and test each zone manually from the controller. If necessary change the batteries. Program water schedule. Adjust for odd / even day watering. If your controller is more than 10 years old than I recommend changing. The water savings and costs will cover the cost of the controller in one dry year.

8. Check rain sensor. The rain sensor should shut your system off when there is a ¼" of rain or more. It is an imperfect device and should be changed every 5- 10 years. It pays for itself with water savings.

9. Check field wiring between controller and zone valves. The freeze thaw action of the ground, mice, rats, rodents can damage the wire.

10. Check all wire splices. Wire splices should be protect using water proof electrical connectors.

11. Visually inspect backflow device. Test device if required by local agency such as water department. NYS Health Department law recommends that device be rebuilt every five years. If it is over 10 years than consider replacing.

12. Check sprinkler system for coverage of landscape. We look for changes in the landscape. As landscapes mature sprinkler heads may need to be moved, added, or shut off. The nozzles in the sprinkler head may need to be increased or reduced.

The irrigation industry has matured immensely over the past decade and our federal, state, and local governments and environmental groups are making a huge push to reduce water usage by reducing landscape irrigation usage. At this time, the EPA (environmental protection agency), is about to put their stamp of approval on water saving sprinkler equipment similar to the home energy star appliances. The spring turn on and sprinkler system repairs takes care of these three issues:

1. Provides the ability to have a thick green lush lawn all summer.

2. Conserves water, fertilizer, and energy thereby saving you money that would be wasted unnecessarily.

3. Helps prevent problems during the hottest, driest part of the season

The bottom line here is that having the spring turn on performed correctly will help conserve water while also delivering at the proper rate is the best way to start off the season.

Contact our office today 631.423.2211 or email Joanne to schedule a mutually convenient appointment.

Spring is Almost Here!

2010-03-11T15:02:40Z

Even though the past several days have been great and it feels like spring weather, we still have about 10 days till the official start. Here are some ideas to help you focus your efforts in both your home and around your yard to help you enjoy the season:

1. Lawn sprinkler system turn on! Call and arrange now with Joanne and Sue. Don't wait! With all the work you will be doing and all the contractors you will be working with it is best to get this valuable service completed early in the spring. Spring turn on officially start on Monday March 15th, 2010.

]]> 2. Plan a garden

3. Check shrubs and trees for damage due to snowfall and arrange pruning.

4. Plan to have trees sprayed with dormant oil.

5. Thinking of landscaping? Start today to find the best landscape designers and landscape contractors. It won't be long before they are all booked for spring and summer.

6. Go to the flower shows. The New York Botanical Show www.nybg.org or the The New England Spring Flower Show in Boston, MA are both great places to visit. www.paragonexpo.com.

7. Take a walk around your home and look for damage to the structure such as : the chimney, gutters, leaders, roof shingles, house shingles, caulking around the windows, etc

8. How are those window wells holding up? The covers? What's in the bottom of them?

9. Fencing around property

10. Drainage issues. Do you have puddles on the property? Wash out? Damage to your walks, patios, and driveways?

11. Check your basement for leaks. Have cracks drilled out and filled with cement.

12. Replace washing machine hoses if they are older than 5 years. Prevent a flood.

13. Clean out the dryer vent and prevent a fire.

14. Check out your attic! Birds, squirrels, rats, bats, mice, and more are always looking for a safe haven and want to nest in your house or right outside. Don't let them.

15. Clean out the garage and basement.

16. Any projects that you have been thinking about having completed in the near future then now would be the time to call and organize. Several weeks from now, it will be warm days, and all the people / contractors that can do this work will be very busy and booked for the season.

17. Outdoor painting projects. Best to call now and arrange.

18. Have a garage sale. If you have things in your garage, attic, basement, and shed and you have not used in the last few years then have a garage sale and get rid of it! Organize with your neighbors as the more homes having one attract more buyers.