Beanie and glove season is here, and some of you are very eager for your irrigation winterization (blow-out) to be done.
For irrigation pipes and components to be damaged from freezing temperatures, water has to be left in the system to expand, but perhaps more importantly, the ground has to be frozen in order for this to occur.
Yes, at night we’ve had below freezing temperatures for about a week or so, but during the day, temperatures have jumped back up to the mid-high 40s. And this week, temperatures jump back up to the low 50s during the day.
We need to see temperatures below freezing at night *and* during the day, for multiple days, for the ground to freeze. Colby only gets concerned for clients who choose not to have their system blown out when temperatures are below 30s for multiple days in a row, and typically we don’t see that until January.
The reason we haven’t done blow-outs yet is because we know we’re not yet at risk for damage and we’re prioritizing our work right now due to the labor shortage we’re experiencing.
If this doesn’t work for you, please feel free to find another service provider and just let us know.
We plan to do blow-outs in early December.
Looking at temperatures, it warms back up again after this week.
We are always watching temperatures and we would never put our own convenience ahead of doing what’s right for our clients.
The leaves may have only begun to turn in color, yet frost is on its way and it’s time to schedule an irrigation blowout!
While our winters are typically mild, we often experience cold weather conditions marked by below freezing temperatures. During periods of freezing weather, frost penetrates the soil, compromising your irrigation system’s pipes and components. If water remains in the system, pipes and parts will expand and crack.
Before the first freeze, we highly recommend blowing out your irrigation system to prevent costly repairs next year. This should be done every fall to protect your investment.
Prices are determined by the number of zones (or stations) in your system.
Thanks for reading our blog. Northwest Construction & Landscape, LLC is a Kitsap County landscaping company that offers landscaping, decorative concrete and lawn maintenance services to homes and businesses across Kitsap and Pierce counties.
One of the most time-consuming aspects of maintaining a healthy landscape is having to water it by hand. What starts out as a pleasurable outdoor task can quickly begin to feel like a dreaded chore, especially if you have stretches of lawn or a lot of garden beds.
Most homeowners will jump on any opportunity to reduce the time it takes to maintain their landscape. An automatic irrigation system can definitely help in this endeavor.
Once an automatic irrigation system in installed, keeping the lawn and plants adequately watered requires little to no effort at all from the homeowner. In contrast, it can take a lot of time to drag an above ground sprinkler system across all lawns, or stand with the hose watering your plants.
In addition to saving precious time, there are many other compelling reasons to invest in an irrigation system. In this blog post, we highlight four benefits of an automatic irrigation system.
A new irrigation system was a necessary component of this Seabeck landscape installation, which included over 13,000 square feet of lawn.
1. Water according to your preference
Installing an automatic irrigation system can be monumental for homeowners who no longer want to spend time hovering over their lawn or garden beds with hose in hand. These systems are installed in the ground and are connected to a timer box that is clock-driven.
Irrigation timers allow homeowners to schedule their watering to accommodate their preferences and the needs of their landscape. They have the ability to choose what time of the day their system starts, how long it runs for, and how frequently it turns on. These customizable options help to make this task easier to manage.
Healthy green lawn and landscape, five years after installation!
2. Water “smartly” with a smart timer
For those who want to eliminate the guessing game of when and how long to water, smart timers will do the work for you. A smart timer connects to your home’s Wi-Fi and calculates a daily watering schedule based on your particular soil, grass type, sprinkler head type, sun exposure and local weather forecast.
So, on hot days it will adjust to produce more water and on rainy days it will not water at all. Over time, this daily calibration saves on water costs because it will only produce water when needed.
An added bonus: homeowners have the ability to control their systems anytime and from anywhere in the world using a computer, tablet or smart phone. This means you don’t have to worry about coming home to a dead lawn when you go on vacation during drought season in July or August. Brilliant!
3. Reduce hassle and waste
Are you tired of moving and adjusting your manual rotating sprinkler from one side of the yard to another? Many homeowners understand the struggle of trying to adjust manual sprinklers, targeting just the right spot, only to wind up frustrated and defeated as water ultimately hits wherever it may land.
When you choose to go with an automatic irrigation system, your irrigation technician will plan your layout for optimal coverage and make necessary adjustments once the system is installed. This results in effective watering, saving time, money and unnecessary frustration!
4. Add value
Another benefit of installing an automatic irrigation system is that it adds value to a property. A landscape that is easy to maintain and convenient to water are attractive features to home buyers.
For homeowners who aren’t planning to move anytime soon, the curb appeal of a good-looking landscape is a beneficial investment. It shows that you take pride in your home and creates a positive impression to neighbors and guests.
If you are considering installing an automatic irrigation system, we’d love to talk to you about your project. Give us a call or send us an email at info@northwestcl.com and we can schedule an appointment for you to meet with one of our irrigation professionals!
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Thanks for reading our blog. Northwest Construction & Landscape, LLC is a Kitsap County landscaping company that offers landscaping, decorative concrete and lawn maintenance services to homes and businesses across Kitsap and Pierce counties. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here.
If you’re planning to install an irrigation system, this video shows you where to begin. Colby explains why you should start with the water meter, what precautions to take, and why the double check valve is so important.
Our irrigation services include new installations, repairs, audits and blow-outs.
Contact us at 360-697-3215 or info@northwestcl.com for irrigation service reminders such as when it’s time to perform a blow-out.
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Thanks for reading our blog. Northwest Construction & Landscape, LLC is a Kitsap County landscaping company that offers landscaping, decorative concrete and lawn maintenance services to homes and businesses across Kitsap and Pierce counties. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here.
