Winter is Still Here!
There’s Still Time to Winterize Your Projects Now to Avoid Freeze Damage for Years to Come
Protect your pipes this winter with simple tips and genius products.
Backed by 41+ Years of Irrigation Experience.
As winter storms and sudden freezes become more common in Texas, it’s more important than ever to winterize equipment.
Fortunately, it’s easy to winterize your equipment with these
Sims products.
VENDOR AND PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Part #1-710: Pressure Vacuum Breaker Wilkins
Zurn is a Milwaukee-based company that has been engineering water solutions since 1900. Today, the company is a leader in commercial, municipal, and industrial markets. They manufacture the widest range of engineered water solutions in the industry.
Popular Zurn products include building drainage solutions, water control equipment, fire protection gear, finish plumbing, water safety equipment, and more.
Zurn’s 710 Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly protects against back-siphonage of contaminated water into the potable water supply.
With fewer parts and a small, lightweight frame, the Zurn Wilkins 710 Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly is a low-maintenance, cost-effective solution for high health hazard irrigation applications – including commercial and residential settings.
With a maximum pressure of 150 psi and a temperature range of 33°F to 140°F, the 710 comes in 3/4″ and 1” sizes. It’s more compact than competing valves on the market. Enjoy effortless performance for residential and commercial irrigation systems.
Popular DekoRRA rock enclosure products include:
Part # 106AB – Autumn Bluff Rock (19x14x12)
Part # 102AB – Autumn Bluff Rock (27x21x25)
Part # 110AB – Autumn Bluff Rock (39x21x21)
Part # 116AB – Autumn Bluff Rock (48x20x30)
Part # 104AB – Autumn Bluff Rock (60x48x41)
Well-designed artificial rocks make it easy to hide unsightly irrigation equipment.
Wisconsin-based DekoRRA makes the best artificial rocks in the industry. We carry a full lineup of DekoRRA artificial rocks ideal for multiple settings. Artificial rocks are large enough to hide insulated pouches and other gear, making it easy to winterize while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
One of the biggest advantages of DekoRRA mock rocks is the PRO-R Thermal Wall Construction technology. Cold weather means you need insulation for pipes, pumps, and other utilities, and the PRO-R Thermal Wall Construction provides added protection. You get stronger, more insulated walls.
To strengthen and insulate walls, DekoRRA adds black polyethylene foam wall structure to its mock rocks during the manufacturing process (instead of spraying it in later like other manufacturers). It’s an option on most rock enclosures for added protection and insulation, and it prevents the rock from cracking, fading, or breaking apart.
DekoRRA makes an extensive lineup of artificial rock enclosures. You can use DekoRRA’s products to conceal unsightly devices in rural, residential, and commercial landscapes.
Located in Rio, Wisconsin, DekoRRA was founded in 1997 by Russ Dresen and Roy Bailey with the goal of using clever solutions to hide unsightly equipment. Today, DekoRRA is a leader in the artificial rock space.
INSULATED POUCHES – for use with DekoRRa Rocks
Part# 602GN – Insulation Pouch (24”L x 24”H)
Part# 604GN – Insulation Pouch (60”L x 48” H)
Part# 610GN – Insulation Pouch (34”L x 24”H)
Part# 616GN – Insulation Pouch (48”L x 30”H)
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Insulated pouches protect crucial equipment from sub-freezing temperatures. When temperatures drop below 20 degrees, water freezes within pipes, causing damage. We sell small, medium, large, and extra-large insulated pouches for maximum protection.
Place insulated pouches over pipes to protect from the cold. Pouches are compatible with models 101, 102, 104, 110, and 116. Customers get two years of UV protection when using the pouches without an enclosure.
CONTRACTOR SPOTLIGHT
All contractors are licensed septic and irrigation contractors.
If you would like to be added to our Contractor Spotlight List – please contact Sims Plastics and let us know! We will be rotating the companies on this list in future Focal*Points Issues.
Septic contractors
Bulls Septic: 432-202-9177 – Odessa/Midland
J&B Services: 432-260-0092 – Odessa/Midland
Terrett Septic: 432-684-6427 – Odessa/Midland
Bobby Stalvey: 432-684-7143 – Odessa/Midland
Quality Construction: 254-829-0001- Waco
Brookshire Septic: 254-744-0194 – Waco
Jernan Construction: 254-848-4848 – Waco
Irrigators
Petra Services: 432-634-0439 – Odessa/Midland
Hart Irrigation: 432-238-2310 – Odessa/Midland
RRAM Scapes: 432-638-9400 – Odessa/Midland
CLS Clements: 432-520-4657 – Odessa/Midland
CGW Lawn Sprinkler: 254-723-8278 – Waco
Rain on Demand: 254-855-7106 – Waco
Talbert Irrigation: 254-218-3517 – Waco
TIPS & TRICKS
Below are some tips that you can use with your customers to help them prepare for the colder winter weather. Here are a few ideas on how you can use these tips to add value to your customers or as a prospecting tool for your business:
1. Print out the preformatted tips page and give it to your customers when you show up to give an estimate, to provide services, or mail it along with your invoice if you’ve already finished a job.
2. Email the preformatted tips page to any of your existing customers as a reminder on winterization along with a message that you would be happy to handle their winterization for them, or offer the tips alongside a pre-packaged winterization service where you offer to handle these things for them for a set cost.
3. Offer these tips to local HOA or neighborhood associations for use in their newsletter or to post on their message boards along with your contact information in case residents need help with their plumbing or irrigation projects.
How to Winterize Backflow Preventers with Heat Tape
Winterize and shut down your backflow preventer to avoid serious problems in cold temperatures.
To protect against winter storms and sub-freezing temperatures:
• Drain and shut down back flow preventers during winter storms and cold periods
• Remember pipes and fittings DON’T freeze: water freezes and expands the pipe, bursting it and causing damage
• Use insulated pouches to protect pipes, backflow preventers, wells, and more from cold winter temperatures
How to Winterize your Water Supply for Irrigation Systems
The main shut-off valve for your irrigation system needs to be protected against freezing temperatures.
To protect the shut-off valve from freezing temperatures:
• Wrap the shut-off valve with insulation (use foam insulation tape and a pouch)
• Winterize your hose bibs before temperatures drop to 20 degrees
• Remember pipes located outdoors may freeze when outdoor temperatures fall below 20 degrees
• Frozen pipes lead to burst pipes, and burst pipes lead to costly repairs and structural damages
We recommend following these steps for protecting your shut-off valve:
1. Remove the garden hose from the faucet in the fall.
2. Shut off the upstream water supply valve feeding the outdoor faucet.
3. Drain residual water from the faucet and pipe.
4. Install an outdoor faucet protector.
5. Insulate the pipe leading up to the faucet.
That’s it! Basic preparation today saves time, effort, and money in the future.
IN CASE YOU MISSED THE
JANUARY EDITION OF FOCAL*POINTS
Here are some outstanding winter-protection products from Frost King and Armacell to keep your customers happy.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
The right heat tape and pipe insulation can make a difference this winter. Some of our recommended products include:
Pipe Wrap Insulation Kit: Frost King’s Pipe Wrap Insulation Kit is a fiberglass and plastic insulation kit that can keep your pipes warm all winter long. It’s a simple and effective way to insulate pipes of all diameters. You also get overwrapping electric heat cables to prevent water pipe freezing. Each kit includes a roll of ½” thick fiberglass plus a length of plastic vapor barrier overwrap.
Part# SP41X/12 – 1/2X3X25′ FIBERGLASS INSULATION
Part #SP46 – 1/2X6X25′ FIBERGLASS INSULATION
Water Pipe Heat Cable: Designed for use on plastic or metal cold water lines, FrostKing’s Water Pipe Heat Cable helps keep pipes from freezing. It’s effective to -38 degrees Fahrenheit. It can also help thaw frozen pipes. A power indicator light lets you know its working.
Part# HC6A – 6′ HEAT TAPE FROST KING
Part #HC12A – 12′ HEAT TAPE FROST KING
Part #HC18A – 18′ HEAT TAPE FROST KING
Part #HC24A – 24′ HEAT TAPE FROST KING
Part #HC30A – 30′ HEAT TAPE FROST KING
Pipe Wrap Insulation Tape: Made by FrostKing, this Pipe Wrap Insulation Tape is a simple, one-stop way to insulate both hot and cold pipes. Stop wasteful heat loss and avoid sweaty pipes that cause mold. The tape can also dampen sounds and vibrations throughout the home.
Part# FV15H – 2″X1/8″X15′ FOIL PIPE INSULATION
Part #FV30 – 2″X1/8″X30′ FOIL PIPE INSULATION
Split Insulation Tube: Simple and effective, this 2” split insulation tube is a quick and easy way to insulate your pipes.
Part #118BT – 3/4″ SPLIT INSULATION 3/8″ WALL
Part #138BT – 1″ SPLIT INSULATION 3/8″ WALL
Part #158BT – 1-1/4″ SPLIT INSULATION 3/8 WALL
Part#238 BT – 2″ SPLIT INSULATION 3/8″ WALL
Part #278CT – 2-1/2″ SPLIT INSULATION 1/2 WALL
Part #2BT – 1-1/2″ SPLIT INSULATION 3/8 WALL
Part #312CT – 3″ SPLIT INSULATION 1/2″ WALL
Part #412CT – 4″ SPLIT INSULATION 1/2″ WALL
Part #78BT – 1/2″ SPLIT INSULATION 3/8″ WALL
VENDOR SPOTLIGHT
Frost King is the most trusted name in home insulation. The company’s products protect your home from your basement to your roof, from your doors to your windows, and everywhere in between.
Popular Frost King products include weather-stripping, window kits, pipe and duct insulation, heat cables and roof cables, garage accessories, air conditioner accessories, and gutter accessories, among others.
Armacell is a German industrial foam and insulation material manufacturer. They sell insulation, component foam, structural foam, and other specialized insulation materials.
If you need insulation with 25/50 fire ratings, antimicrobial protection, and other unique characteristics, then Armacell is one of the world’s most trusted suppliers.