FAQs
Below you'll find some frequently asked questions and answers:
How do I know if my lawn is getting enough water?
Your lawn will show signs of stress, including drying and yellowing, if it is not receiving adequate amounts of water. The best way to measure how much water your irrigation system is delivering is to perform a sprinkler system audit. The City of Fort Collins offers sprinkler system audits for free. During the audit they will place measuring cups throughout your lawn and run your system. By measuring the water delivered in timed increments they can determine an exact schedule for each sprinkler zone.
How much water does my lawn need?
Every type of grass has different watering requirements at different times of the year. Bluegrass, the most popular turf in our region, requires approximately 1" of water per week in the early and later parts of the season. It will need closer to 2"-2.5" of water per week in the warmer summer months. To determine how long and how frequently to run your system, we recommend getting a free sprinkler system audit from the City of Fort Collins.
What time of day should I water my lawn?
Usually the best time to water your lawn is in the early morning hours. This is when wind speeds are usually very calm and demands on city water are lowest.
How often should I water my lawn?
Thorough, less frequent watering is ideal. For example: Rather than watering 10 minutes per day, try watering 20 minutes every other day or 30 minutes every few days. These longer, deeper waters allow moisture to penetrate further into the soil and root system. Obviously every lawn is a little different. The best way to determine ideal watering amounts and intervals is to get a free sprinkler system audit City of Fort Collins.
When should my sprinklers be turned on?
It really depends on the weather which, as you probably know, is very unpredictable in Northern Colorado. The trick is to wait until after the last deep freeze to avoid any sprinkler system damage. It's usually safe to turn the system on around the end of April or first part if May when night time temps are no longer dropping below freezing.
When should my sprinkler system be winterized?
This largely depends on the weather but to be safe, we recommend scheduling your winterization (sprinkler blow out) in early October before temperatures in Fort Collins begin dropping below freezing. We start scheduling sprinkler blowouts the first week of October.
Whats involved with a sprinkler system start-up?
A sprinkler system start-up involves the process of turning on your irrigation water, setting your timer, adjusting sprinkler heads and inspecting for any damaged that may have been caused during the winter to critical components such as your anti-backflow device.
What is sprinkler winterization?
Sprinkler winterization is the process of preparing your in-ground sprinkler system for the cold winter months. The procedure is often called a "sprinkler blow-out" because we blow compressed air through all your sprinkler lines to purged residual water from the system. This process is essential in avoiding costly repairs caused by freeze damage.
Do I need to be home for my sprinkler start-up or winterization?
In most cases we will need to have access to your main water shut off valve and sprinkler control box in order to complete your sprinkler start-up or winterization. Usually shut-off valves are located in your basement or crawl space and sprinkler timers are in the garage.
What is an anti-backflow device?
A properly installed and approved backflow prevention device keeps water contaminated with pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste or anything else you wouldn't want to drink from re-entering your home through your sprinkler system.
How do I know if my backflow preventer is working?
The best way to ensure correct functionality of your anti-backflow device is to have it tested every 1-2 years by a certified tester. If you suspect your backflow preventer has been damaged please contact us for an inspection.
What kind of backflow preventer do I have?
Most residential properties in Fort Collins are equipped with a Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) or a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RP). These backflow preventers are made by a number of companies and come in various sizes. The most common sizes for residential applications are 3/4" and 1".
Why do I need to blow out my sprinklers?
It is essential to remove all water from your sprinkler lines to avoid costly sprinkler and anti-backflow repairs. The best way to do this is with compressed air. If water is left in your system when the temperatures get below freezing, you will most likely have freeze damage and will almost surely burst a pipe.
Can I blow my sprinkler out myself?
Yes, however, we do not recommend it unless you know what you're doing. We use expensive commercial air compressors to do the job properly. If you don't know what you're doing you can easily damage expensive parts and break underground pipes.
Do I have to be home for my service?
Yes, in most cases we will need someone home for your service so we have access the main water supply or sprinkler timer box.
Do you service my area?
We serve most residential and commercial clients in the following Northern Colorado areas: Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Timnath, Severance and Wellington.
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