Lawn Areas

Your grass should have approximately 1” of water per week to remain healthy. With a sprinkler system you will be able to water your fertilizer in according to directions which allows the chemicals work effectively, saving you time, frustration and money over the years. By watering with a professional irrigation system, you have controlled watering, unlike pulling garden hoses all over the yard which takes unnecessary time, energy and too much or not enough watering.

Flower Pots

Flowers planted in pots, above ground, require frequent watering due to being above ground where the sun and wind evaporates the water 10 times faster than in ground plants. Separate drip zones are designed for these areas. Drip zones have to be separate from all other zones due to different pressure requirements, length of time needed and frequency required. Emitters are installed on the drip zone to feed the flower pot and are available in several different styles offering a wide range of flow rates. This allows the flexibility to give different amounts of water to each individual tree, shrub, or plant.

Details of emitters

Landscape Beds (Drip irrigation optional):

We can design zones of your system water all plant life perennial plants, annuals, shrubs and trees. Typically landscape beds are to be watered with either spray zones or drip zones. Densely planted areas with a mix of annuals and perennials should be watered with spray heads. Annual flower beds will require more water than drip lines can delivery within the allotted time. Exclusive perennial beds can be watered with drip or spray heads. The benefits of using spray heads: Faster watering, more evenly disbursement of the water and some plants like topical watering. The benefits of using a drip zone: Less evaporation, deep root watering capabilities, custom water flow to each individual plant, shrub or tree.

Custom Features:

• Swimming pool fill:

  Most all above ground swimming pools and some in ground pools do not have an automatic water fill system for when the water level gets low. A separate zone for this function can be added to the sprinkler system for automatic fill or on command at the controller. This feature also eliminates the back breaking work of dragging garden hoses around and potential safety hazards. This feature can be added to an existing system or can be part of a new installation.

• Water feature fill: Water falls, decorative streams, pondless water features, gold fish and coy ponds to name a few:

  Anything that would require you to pull out a hose and add water to correct water level every so often can be filled with your new system. Save yourself some time, money on wasted water, and money on burned up pumps. A separate zone can be added to fill any of these features set on automatic fill, or by command at the controller. There’s no job too large or too small. Eliminate dragging garden hoses and potential safety hazards. Most water features have a catch basin to hold water which needs to be filled from time to time or constantly. Proper water level is a must for features that include a water pump that runs a waterfall or circulates the water around the feature. Water pumps need to be completely submerged under water to operate safely and efficiently. A water feature pump operated dry will shorten the life of the pump and maybe even burn it up. These are not cheap to replace.

• Supply natural water to your system:

  If you live on or close to a lake, it may be possible and permissible to install a pump that pumps out of a nearby body of natural water such as a pond or a lake. The water supply can take care of all of your outside watering needs. This installation operates exactly the same way as the conventional installation. The controller turns on the pump automatically to feed the system water. Installing an electric pump for pumping out of a lake instead of the conventional city water method increases the cost of the installation approximately 30% but the payback on the additional investment is returned in about 2-seasons from water cost savings. Pump systems, if installed properly will serve you well for many years.

System Water Supply Pump

The water source will be either city water or pump out of a lake. The city water source for the sprinkler system will be tapped either in the basement of your house/business or in the yard somewhere on the customer’s side of the water meter.

Controller

We recommend using a Hunter Pro C (WaterSense friendly) when installed with a Hunter Solar Sync weather sensor). We also install Rain Bird controllers. Hunter & Rain Bird controllers are the best in the industry. Choosing between them can depend on customer desires and number of zones required. They are good reliable controllers and have the same basic features with A, B & C programs and 4-start times on each program. This can allow watering lawn areas and bed areas independently and less frequent or water the back yard, front yard and bed areas independently and less frequent than the others on desired programs. Both controllers have a Rain Sensor bypass switch and are compatible with most all rain detectors among many other features.

Read more about Rain Bird controllers: http://www.rainbird.com/support/espmodular_bilingual/index.html

Rain Sensors, Solar Sync Weather Sensor

We recommend a Solar Sync sensor or at very least a rain sensor. The solar sync weather sensor offers additional features than a conventional rain sensor and is recommended by WaterSense. The Solar Sync ET sensor is an advanced weather sensor that calculates evapotranspiration (ET) and adjusts Hunter controllers daily based on local weather conditions. Solar Sync measures sunlight and temperature, and uses ET to determine the correct seasonal adjustment percentage value to send to the controller. The controller then uses its programmed run time and adjusts to Solar Sync’s seasonal adjustment value to modify the actual irrigation run time for that day. In addition, the Solar Sync ET sensor integrates Hunter’s popular Rain-Clik™ and Freeze-Clik® sensors providing quick response in shutting down your irrigation system during rain and/or freezing conditions. The Solar Sync sensor is compatible with most Hunter controllers and applicable to residences, businesses, and municipalities alike.

Read more about Solar Sync sensor: http://www.hunterindustries.com/irrigation-product/sensors/solar-syncr

Piping

The pipe we use will be polyethylene. There may be applications were we have to use some PVC or a combination of the two different types of piping.  The size of the main and lateral lines are 1” to 1.25” on residential yards. Commercial installations can typically range from 1” to 3”.

Zone Valves

There will be a valve installed for every zone. Your yard will be separated into zones according to your water pressure and water flow. A typical yard should be from 5 to 7 zones. We like to use a Hunter PGV valve, this valve is hard working and heavy duty, and offers the best features of Hunter’s top-of-the-line valves. Built with enough durability to handle the rigors of most residential and light commercial sites, the Hunter PGV is available in an array of configurations. For smaller landscape applications, the PGV is available in four 1″ body configurations: angle, globe, male x male, or male x barb design. In turn, each model is available in either a flow control or non-flow control version. All models feature durable high-grade construction and a rugged diaphragm with support to prevent stress failure.

Read more about Hunter PGV Valves: http://www.hunterindustries.com/irrigation-product/valves/pgv

Water Tap Valve

For the inside water tap, we install a quarter turn ball valve for the shut off with a drain valve as well. For outside tap installations, we use a compression gate valve.

Master Valve

We install a master valve on all our system installations. When the system is not running, the master valve is the only valve that is constantly under pressure which is a good thing. Without a master valve, a leak on your main pipe line would leak until the water is shut off at the main water tap for the whole system. We like to use a Hunter PGV valve, this valve is hard working and heavy duty, and offers the best features of Hunter’s top-of-the-line valves. Built with enough durability to handle the rigors of most residential and light commercial sites, the Hunter PGV is available in an array of configurations. For smaller landscape applications, the PGV is available in four 1″ body configurations: angle, globe, male x male, or male x barb design. In turn, each model is available in either a flow control or non-flow control version. All models feature durable high-grade construction and a rugged diaphragm with support to prevent stress failure.

Read more about Hunter PGV valves: http://www.hunterindustries.com/irrigation-product/valves/pgv

Backflow Preventer

There will be a back flow preventer installed. Water departments across the city may require different devices. Some devices have to be installed outside in the yard. Some can be installed inside the basement of the house, depends on where the water tap is conducted. If allowed by the water department. The backflow we like to install is a Double Check, which can be installed in basement of the house or outside in the yard. We prefer installing inside the basement if possible. Inside installation is protected from the elements and vandalism.

Read more about our preferred backflow preventer: http://www.febcoonline.com/Products/Double_Check_Valve_Assemblies

Drain Valves

Drain valve will be installed after the water tap (inside or outside).

Rotors

Typically, rotor heads are used in larger lawn areas but can be use in some landscape applications. We use the rotor heads that are more commercial grade and for a longer life. They are all capable of emitting from .5 gallons per min to 15 gallons per minute, depending on the nozzle used in your application. Most rotor heads are whisper quiet and rotate back and forth. The radius can be adjusted from between 15 and 360 degrees and spray up to 40’ in distance. Some rotor heads can even be turned off and have flow control capabilities. The benefits of using rotor heads: Allows us to space heads further apart, using less heads and materials which cuts down on cost of material and labor and makes for easy adjustment.

Read more about our preferred rotor head: http://www.hunterindustries.com/irrigation-product/rotors/pgp-adj

MP Rotator

The revolutionary MP Rotator features a unique, multi-trajectory rotating stream delivery system that achieves water-conserving results. Rather than simply “spray” water onto landscapes, MP Rotators deliver multiple streams of water at a steady rate. This slower application rate allows water to gently soak into the soil and achieves an even distribution throughout the area being irrigated. This increased efficiency results in 30% less water use when compared to traditional sprays and significantly reduces wasteful runoff. The MP Rotator can be installed onto any conventional spray head body or rotor shrub adapter, transforming them into high uniformity, low precipitation rate sprinklers with matched precipitation at any arc and any radius.
The MP Rotators are a great choice for new systems, as they provide immense range flexibility (from 5’ strip to 35’ radius), decrease material costs, and provide better system efficiency. MPs are also perfect for revitalizing older systems—a retrofit can solve both low pressure and poor coverage problems.

Read more about MP Rotators: http://www.hunterindustries.com/irrigation-product/nozzles/mp-rotator

Spray Heads

Pro Spray sprinkler heads are engineered to ensure long-lasting, reliable performance in residential & commercial applications. Available in heights from shrub to 12”, Pro-Spray heads feature durable construction that is second to none, exclusive body cap design which does not leak even when loosened, and a reliable, easy to adjust two-piece ratchet. Pro-Sprays are compatible with Pro Adjustable Nozzles, Pro Fixed Nozzles, and MP Rotators. All models also include a user-friendly pull-ring flush cap to keep debris and clogging to a minimum. The Pro-Spray sprinkler head is compatible with all industry standard female nozzles offering a high degree of flexibility. The benefits of using spray heads: Faster watering, more evenly disbursement of the water and some plants like topical watering.

Read more about our preferred spray head: http://www.hunterindustries.com/irrigation-product/spray-bodies/pro-sprayr

Spray Nozzles

Whether dealing with hillside topography, a curved flowerbed or other special landscape installations, challenging angles demand nozzles that adjust to their surroundings. Adjustable nozzles allow the installer to cover any angle needed on any landscape with the accuracy of a fixed nozzle. Engineered to emit larger than average water droplets, these nozzles are reliable, accurate, and fully adjustable to any angle from 0° to 360°. Adjustable Nozzles are available in models that spray water from 3’ to 19’. Nozzles are also color-coded based on throw distance.

Read more about spray nozzles: http://www.hunterindustries.com/irrigation-product/nozzles/pro-adjustable-nozzles#