First, analyze how you’re watering. Do you water your lawn all at once, and if so how long? If you’re only watering using one cycle, then all the water you deliver may not get absorbed. The trick is to split up your watering into several cycles, all on the same day.

Secondly, test how long it take for your irrigation system to provide a half inch of water – measure and mark 1/2 inch on several plastic containers. Place them around the zone and run your system until water reaches the 1/2 inch mark – note the time this takes. This is based on providing approx 1 inch or 2.5 cm of water to your lawn each week with 2 waterings. You may wish to increase to 3 watering days in the middle of summer.

Here’s how the cycle and soak method works to save water.

Stage 1

• Run your lawn zone for a short period of time; say ⅓ of the time you’d normally run it.
• In stage 1 you are first cracking the soil surface and saturating the top layer of soil.
• Shut it off and allow the water to soak in.

Stage 2

• Once the water is fully soaked in, run your system again and deeply soak the soil.

Stage 3

• If you live on a slope or your soil is very compacted, this will be the most beneficial soak.
• Water will saturate more efficiently and deeply the more cycles you water.
• Depending on your soil structure, you could use two to three cycles.

Timing Sample: If you water your lawn zones for 30 minutes to deliver the equivalent of one-inch of irrigation water, then with the cycle and soak method, you’ll break it up into either two 15-minute cycles or three 10-minute cycles. All on the same day.

Of course, none of us have time to do this manually each time we water. Do it manually the first time so you can see how long you can run your first cycle before water begins to pool. Your irrigation clock comes with the ability to use A, B & C cycles. You can set up separate cycles, with separate start times, to automate two or three watering cycles the same day.

Information provided by Soils Alive

You can read more about the cycle and soak method here.

Tips for watering mature grass and landscape

Tips for watering new grass and newly landscaped areas

Healthy soil is an essential part of creating a lawn that is naturally better at absorbing and using water efficiently. When your soil is healthy, well fed and full of organic matter, drainage and moisture retention is improved.

Spring start-up will be you off to a good start. May is the start of a short season here in Alberta and we often have to assist Mother Nature to make the best of our summer months.  Have Park Irrigation pressurize your irrigation system, inspect the nozzles and align your sprinkler heads.

Simply opening the valve, resetting the timer and watching it go … if it were only that simple.   Your home sprinkler system needs to be thoroughly checked by a certified irrigation technician every spring.   Checking for damage to your water lines, valves, fittings, spray heads and rotors ensures that your system is functioning as designed and minimizing any water waste.

Home sprinkler updates 

Spring is a great time to update or modify your system.   Is your sprinkler system more than 5 years old?  There is a good chance that the controller is out of date and does not have the latest in “smart” technology.

“Smart” controllers determine how much water your lawn and landscape need on a daily basis.   The use of rain sensors and in-ground moisture sensors are well worth the investment. 

Just think, if only 250 ml (1 cup) of water leaked per minute, it results in water waste of over 71,915 Litres (19,000 gallons) over an average summer use.  Checking your sprinkler system, by a professional service, every spring  will identify concerns.  The professionals have the equipment, knowledge and experience to fix these problems.

Irrigation system repairs

Some repairs may seem simple; unscrewing a broken spray head and replacing it with a new one, but what happens if the supply line is damaged? Digging up the lawn to fix the break is a difficult task without the proper knowledge or tools.  Similarly, the same is true when faced with repairing a solenoid switch within a valve box.

Make PARK IRRIGATION your preferred irrigation and landscape lighting professionals.

Make Park Irrigation your preferred irrigation and landscape lighting specialist.

Design and Installation are the key to a beautiful property. A certified irrigation technician offers the best watering options for your needs. Park Irrigation will make the design & installation of a home sprinkler system run smoothly.  Ultimately, a good design will have your properly looking great!

[read_more id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”] 

Proper design & installation of an efficient home sprinkler system provides you with carefree summer days to enjoy your property.   In addition to that, a Park Irrigation technician will design your system with care, attention and consideration of our harsh climate.  Whether planning a large or small project we work with you and your budget.

Design & Installation: Home sprinkler options

There are new products arriving on the market everyday. Therefore, designing and installing your system takes a great deal of planning and knowledge. Park Irrigation will match high grade products with your property’s needs. Using the correct products avoids dry areas and keeps your lawn looking great:

Underground sprinkler system:  Pop up sprinkler systems are for larger areas and split into watering zones. When well designed, they will be completely hidden when not in use. Ideal for lawns and along driveway areas.

Drip irrigation system:   A system of driplines, micro sprayers or soaker hoses provides an effective and reliable watering solution. Delivering the water directly to the root system of the plants makes it one of the most efficient methods of watering. That being said, they are especially effective in plant and garden areas.

Sensors:   Weather sensors are a necessity in any well-designed irrigation system. For instance, preventing watering during wind, rain, and freezing weather.    Soil moisture sensors stop irrigation when moisture levels have been reached and eliminates wasteful watering. In other words, sensors will conserve water and could save you money.

Whether it is for a small modification to your current system, a complete update or a new installation, Park Irrigation will answer all of your irrigation questions. Contact us today for your free consultation.

Make PARK Irrigation your preferred irrigation & landscape lighting specialist

An early spring means we can get your irrigation system going again and bring your yard back to life! After a long winter where your system has been sitting idle for several months, it is important to do a proper start-up.

1. Properly get the water going to avoid the dreaded water hammer
2. Comprehensive inspection to check each and every sprinkler head
3. Adjust heads for optimal water coverage
4. Check for leaking irrigation lines/valves
5. Set watering schedule

Full inspection gives us the opportunity to evaluate your irrigation system and fix any minor issues. Catching damage, as a result of our harsh Alberta winters, ensures that small repairs do not become larger concerns.

This is also a great opportunity for you to make any changes to your system. We can assist you to make your sprinkler system meet your needs. Along with that, upgrades mean saving water and probably some money too.

We look forward to working with you again this year! Contact us to schedule your irrigation spring start-up or read a little more about our services.

Make PARK Irrigation your preferred irrigation & landscape lighting specialist

Although spring may seem like the best time to install a new watering system, fall is actually the time to make those changes. Park Irrigation provides those fall sprinkler services and will design and install your irrigation system before the snow flies.

Firstly, the ground is not frozen and there is no need to delay. Spring is unreliable and the ground must be thawed to bury the irrigation pipes properly. Secondly, once the installation is complete your grass can be over-seeded to prepare for next spring’s growth. You will have a head start in the new year and start your spring off right. Lastly, let’s be honest, we all want the best bang for our buck. With product manufacturers updating, and often, increasing their prices in the new year, you will benefit from this season’s rates!

Most importantly, your lawn will love you for starting now. With the heat of the summer behind us and the snow holding off, your lawn is at the perfect temperature. The grass will recover more quickly than in the heat of the summer leaving you with a healthy, beautiful lawn.
Contact us today for your free consultation!

Fall sprinkler services: Irrigation Winterization

Fall sprinkler services are a necessity in our northern climate. Park Irrigation prepares your irrigation system to survive our harsh winter. In other words, blowing out your irrigation pipes and heads, along with, ensuring the water lines and manifolds are water free. We inspect your system and recommend upcoming service needs. This is a great time to consider system updates or modifications or to make plans for the new year.

Read more about our fall sprinkler services …

Sprinklers help keep your lawn and garden properly watered and looking their best. But at the end of the watering season, irrigation winterization is the key to avoiding unnecessary damage. It is critical to clear your sprinklers so that the water does not freeze inside the system and cause damage.

Understanding more about the timing of winterization, and the possible effects of not doing so on time, will help you make an informed decision about when it is time to winterize your sprinkler system.

Watching the Weather

When temperatures start to fall it’s time to consider winterizing your sprinkler system. Your lines must be drained or blown out using an air compressor before that first hard freeze. A hard freeze is when the outdoor air dips below -5 C. Below the freezing point, some of the most critical components of a sprinkler system can be damaged. Keep an eye on the local weather reports in the newspaper or on television for when the first freeze of the year is expected. As a general rule, you should winterize your system at least a week before the first freeze is expected. Your grass will survive without regular watering during that time, as the plants are already preparing for the dry winter season.

Effects of Frozen Pipes

If you fail to blow out your pipes before the first freeze of the season, it’s likely that the water inside will freeze. With no room for the freezing water to expend, the pipes can crack or burst in large sections. Frozen pipes are one of the most costly and difficult repairs to make, given that the pipes are installed underground. The key to avoiding this type of damage is to drain as much water as possible from the lines before they freeze.

Effects of Frozen Sprinklers

Water can also freeze inside sprinkler heads themselves. As the frozen water expands the pressure from the ice can pop off sprinkler heads. Another possible effect is that the water will expand inside the plastic body of the sprinkler and crack the sprinkler down the side. Water can also freeze inside the small supple tube that pushes the nozzle above ground. Any of these problems requires you to replace the entire sprinkler head with a new unit.

Effects of Frozen Manifolds

The manifold is the heart of your sprinkler system. This device consists of a main pipe with several valves attached. The valves control the flow of water from the manifold main line to the rest of the sprinklers. If water is allowed to freeze inside the main pipe it can crack the plastic and damage the attached valves. Replacing a damaged manifold is the most labour intensive part of any sprinkler repair and should be avoided by draining as much water as possible from inside the manifold. Most manifolds have a drain cap installed for easy draining.

Irrigation winterization: A little bit of winter preparation will save a lot of time and expense in the spring and bring your backyard to life without distress.

Make PARK Irrigation your preferred irrigation & landscape lighting specialist

Automatic sprinkler benefits: Home owner or renter … if you are like most people, you take pride in the appearance of your property. One of the most important elements of a great looking home is the appearance of your lawns and gardens. Maintaining a lawn to a high standard can be difficult and time consuming. If you don’t have the right systems in place, and it’s very hard to keep your lawn green and your gardens vibrant without water. Without the rainfall luxury, automatic sprinkler systems are the best way to deliver water to your gardens and lawns.

Does your current method of watering involve dragging a hose out onto your lawn and spending up to an hour each day watering your lawn and gardens? If so, installing an automatic sprinkler system is the best option for you. There are many reasons to choose an automatic sprinkler system; here are a few of those benefits:

Automatic Sprinkler Benefits

Convenience

The clearest reason to install an automatic sprinkler system is to make watering your yard more convenient and giving you the time to enjoy your backyard. With an automatic sprinkler system, you can set timers. Your sprinkler will automatically turn on and water your lawn at specific times throughout the day or week. You can set them to run for a specific length of time. Additionally, they can be set to water different areas of your yard at different times based on use of the spaces and types of plants.

Aesthetic Appeal and Safety

Hoses are a tripping hazard and they are also unsightly when not rolled up after use. Installing sprinkler systems means these two negative aspects of hose watering no longer exist. When an automatic sprinkler system is installed under the ground with pop-up sprinklers, you won’t even know they are there unless you see them working. Automatic sprinkler heads seem to disappear after they have finished watering your lawn so they don’t pose a hazard to anyone. This also makes them a far more aesthetically pleasing solution to garden watering.

Water at the Right Time

Watering your lawn at the optimal time is vital for water conservation, and early in the morning is the best time to set your automatic sprinkler system to turn on and off. Watering when the sun is high in the sky means that your gardens are prone to a higher level of evaporation and can waste up to 25% of the water used. Setting your timers to work in the morning as compared to the evening will also mean your plants are less prone to disease which can happen if your lawn and garden remain moist all night.

Water the Right Amount

Advanced automatic sprinkler systems have soil moisture and weather sensors to distribute the correct amount of water when and where it is needed. Advanced systems skip scheduled lawn and garden watering when any rain is detected to avoid over-watering your lawn … saves you money too!

Water While You’re Away

Automatic sprinkler systems allow you to set a timer for every day of the year, even when you are away on vacation, ensuring your lawn & garden receive the attention they deserve and you come back to your beautiful property.

Read more about what PARK Irrigation can offer to you … SERVICES

Make PARK Irrigation your preferred irrigation & landscape lighting specialist