Commercial & Residential 817-454-9387

28 Apr

Posted at 09:01h in Sprinkler System

Your sprinkler system may be reliable in giving your grass plenty of water. When it’s shut off, the last thing it should ever do is leak. This guide will pinpoint the reasons why your sprinkler system is leaking.

This is an issue where you may end up wasting water and not know about it. It can also become costly if you are paying the bill every month. This guide should not only help you save water, but also money in the process.

If you want to ensure that your sprinkler system is not leaking, keep reading. With that said, let’s get started.

Sprinkler Head May Be Leaking

Among the many issues with a leaking sprinkler system, this may be the most common. The good news is, you can notice this fast. One of the reasons why this happens can be a crack or the head itself might be broken.

When this happens, you’ll see puddles of water forming or spurts of water. These sprinkler heads can be inadvertently damaged by vehicles driving over the grass or mower edges making contact. Another issue could be the usual wear and tear that comes with age.

Either way, it may be possible to replace it should the need arise. There really is no quick repair solution we can think of at this time.

Line Break

Another issue can be a line break. This may be due to constant pressure or the lateral line may have a break itself. Your sprinkler operates on pressurized water. A line break can happen due to several factors.

For one, it can be cracked or even nicked. It can be as simple as planting something and you accidentally damaged it with a gardening tool. You’ll want to determine if there is a line break, which may be done by seeing if you notice any water pooling in the area.

If it’s creating pools while the water system is shut off, that’s when you have a problem. No water should be leaking while the water system is off, period.

Leaking Valve

A valve leak can break down due to age. This may be one of those times when a leak can occur if the lines are in good condition. Keep in mind that in Texas, you may want the water pressure to run at about 100 PSI (even though most sprinkler systems operate at 50 PSI tops).

Final Thoughts

Your sprinkler system may be leaking and it could be due to one of these three issues. You’ll be more than pleased with it working and going through the motions in keeping your yard green and clean. Streamline Designs will fix your sprinkler system if you happen to have any issues.

If you need a new system installed, we’ll get the job done with our team of experts planning and placing it where it needs to be. If you want a greener and cleaner yard, call us today at 817-873-1999 and we’ll get the job done for you.

29 Mar

Posted at 11:19h in Landscaping, Sprinkler System

Making sure your lawn looks great not only improves your home’s curb appeal, but it can contribute to higher overall property values for your neighborhood. One of the keys to keeping your lawn looking its best is keeping it healthy, and one of the biggest factors in your lawn’s health is how effectively it’s watered.

Some people may not know this, but the best time to water your lawn is in the early morning or even the late evening. Early might mean different things to different people, but basically, it means watering before the sun begins its most powerful onslaught around 10:30-11:00 am. By this time, the temperature is too high and the sun’s intensity too great to water effectively, and doing so may even directly damage your lawn.

Temperature Matters

One of the primary reasons that you want to water in the early morning instead of any other time, is that the temperature will be the lowest. If you are in an area that cools off significantly in the evenings near sunset, this may also be a great time to get the sprinkler going.

Texas gets hot, there’s no way around that, and while watering your lawn in the heat of the day may seem to some like a great way to cool it off, it does the opposite. Watering during midday means you are wasting an incredible amount of water to evaporative loss.

Less Wind During The Morning & Evenings

During the early morning and the later evening, there tends to be much less wind than during the peak of the day. This is another reason that watering during these periods can be more effective than at other times. In general, the wind isn’t going to be blowing hard enough to disrupt your watering, but in some cases, a constant wind or breeze can prevent the water from falling where it needs to.

Water More Before Dry Spells

If you happen to be looking at the weather and it looks like you’re going to be hitting a dry spell, be sure you water heavily for the weeks and days leading up to the drought. This will give the water a chance to soak into the soil more deeply, helping to provide a source of moisture during the long dry periods.

If Your Lawn Looks Thirsty Don’t Overwater

Letting your lawn dry out a little bit before you water helps the grass to develop deeper root structures, which are important for lawns to be able to survive long dry spells. If you happen to notice your lawn is looking a little dry, after a particularly sunny and hot day, for example, let it go for another day or so before you give it a good drenching. Your grass will push roots deeper and will survive the dry intervals better.

Work With Local Lawn Experts

If you think you may be having an issue keeping your law properly hydrated, you may want to consult with a local lawn care expert. Reach out today to discuss options for keeping your lawn looking its best, such as watering and feeding needs.

30 Dec

Posted at 14:09h in Landscaping, Sprinkler System

As winter arrives and freezing temperatures follow, preparing for those frigid winter days becomes increasingly important. There are plenty of tips for preventing pipe freeze inside of your home, but what about your outdoor sprinkler system? Do you even need to winterize it?

Truthfully, the answer to that question depends on where you live. If you live in an area with a cold climate that regularly sees temperatures below freezing, or you see harsh weather often, winterizing your sprinkler system is essential. Failing to do so will lead to the need for a new system when the season ends.

In this article, we’re going to cover when you need to worry about winterizing your sprinkler system and how to do so.

When to Winterize Your Sprinklers

The general rule for winterizing your sprinkler system is at least one week before the first freeze of the winter. Doing this will avoid potential damage to your system from freezing water. When winter is approaching, it’s important to pay close attention to the forecast and winterize your sprinkler system as soon as you see temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

32 degrees Fahrenheit is also known as the freezing point for water. When you see this temperature in the forecast, you know to drain the sprinklers completely to keep the water from freezing.

How to Effectively Winterize Your Sprinkler System

Winterizing a sprinkler system sounds like a lengthy, time-consuming process. However, it really just refers to the draining of your irrigation system before the first freeze of the year. This is a vital process in sprinkler system upkeep as failing to do so will cause your system to sustain damage that will sit until everything thaws in the spring.

When water isn’t drained entirely from your sprinkler system, it expands when it freezes. If there’s enough water still in your pipes, it has the potential to explode. So, if you want to save your money, taking the time to winterize your sprinkler system is a must.

To properly winterize your sprinkler system, follow these steps:

  1. Shut the water off. This means shutting off the main water supply to the system and any pipes leading to your backflow device if you have one.
  2. Make sure the timer is off. Most sprinkler systems run on a timer, so it’s important to make sure that’s switched off so water won’t flow to each release valve anymore.
  3. Drain the sprinkler’s water supply. Although you no longer have new water flowing through the system, you still need to get rid of any standing water in the pipes. This can be done via manual, automatic, or blow-out draining.
  4. Insulate anything aboveground. Cover any valves, pipes, and backflow preventers with insulating material like foam covers or insulation tape. Take care not to cover any air vents or drain outlets on your backflow preventer.

Draining Methods

There are three different ways to drain your sprinkler system. Some sprinkler systems have a manual draining option where you empty the system at each valve, one at a time. Other systems have an automatic option where they drain once you shut off the main valve.

Blow-out draining is an option with some systems that let you connect an air compressor to the system to blow out any residual water.