Backed by 41+ Years of Irrigation Experience
It’s Time to Spot Winter Damage
and Prepare Your Customers’ Irrigation Systems
for Warmer Weather!
Most winter damage is easy to repair.
Here’s our top products to help you get your customers
ready for summer!
VENDOR AND PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Bubblers: We offer a full lineup of quality bubblers from Rain Bird. Rain Bird’s bubblers come with the following features:
• 0.25 GPM to 2 GPM full-circle, trickle pattern nozzles (low flow rates allow water to be absorbed as needed)
• Reduce runoff
• Flow will not fluctuate at pressures between 20 and 90 psi
• Maintain even flow
• Increase vandal resistance
• No adjustment required
• Corrosion-proof plastic and rubber material for long life
• Shipped with special bubbler filter screen for easy installation and debris resistance
We carry 5 Rain Bird bubblers, including:
Part# 1401 – Rain Bird 1/4 GPM Pressure Compensating Bubbler
Part# 1402 – Rain Bird 1/2 GPM Pressure Compensating Bubbler
Part# 1404 – Rain Bird 1 GPM Pressure Compensating Bubbler
Part# 1408 – Rain Bird 2 GPM Pressure Compensating Bubbler
Part# 1300AF – Adjustable Bubbler (1 to 2.3 GPM)
Rotary Nozzles: We also carry four categories of Rain Bird rotary nozzles, including rotary nozzles. These nozzles come with the following features:
• Designed for use with 4” Rain Bird spray bodies
• 8 to 14 foot adjustable pattern
• Quickly adjust arc and radius without tools
• Clear nozzle of dirt and debris using the pull up flush feature
• Multiple rotating streams to uniformly distribute water throughout the radius range
• Low precipitation rate to reduce run-off and erosion
• Matched precipitation rates across radius arc and pattern types
• Color-coded and laser-marked for easy identification of model
• Compatible with all models of Rain Bird spray bodies, risers, and adapters
• Maximum water efficiency and design flexibility
Our Rain Bird rotary nozzles include:
Part# R1318F – 13-18’ Full Circle Rotary Nozzle
Part# R-VAN24 – 17-24’ Vari Arc Rotary Nozzle
Part# R-VAN18 – 13-18’ Vari Arc Rotary Nozzle
Part# R-VAN14 – 8-14’ Vari Arc Rotary Nozzle
Rain Bird’s engineering, marketing, manufacturing, and sales teams work together to create innovative water-conserving products. The company is best-known for irrigation sprinklers, dripline, pumps, and timers / controllers.
Today, Rain Bird They provide 4,000 water-saving irrigation products and services worldwide while maintaining manufacturing facilities in Arizona, Alabama, Mexico, and France, among other locations.
We carry a full lineup of Rain Bird bubblers and rotary nozzles.
Electric Valves: Our Irritrol electric valves make it easy and convenient to control your system.
You can view our full lineup of Irritrol electric valves here. We offer all of the following Irritrol electric valves:
Part# 1001 – 1” GLB/ANG VLV-INT BLD, FC
Part# 1002 – 2” GLB/ANG VLV-INT BLD, FC
Part# 1003 – 3” GLB/ANG VLV-INT BLD, FC
Part# 7001 – 1” ELEC VLV-INT BLD, FC
Part# 7002 – 2” ELEC VLV-INT BLD, FC
Part# 1001.5 – 1 to 1/2″ GLB/ANG VLV-IB, FC
Part# 205S – 1” ELEC GLOBE VLV-SLIP
Part# 205T – 1” ELEC GLOVE VLV-NPT THRD
Part# 216B – 1 to 1/2″ GLB/ANG VLV-NPT THD
Part# 217B – 2” ELEC VLV-INT BLD 24VAC 60H
The Irritrol 100 Series (Century Plus) is a good valve that keeps getting better. It traces its origins to the popular Century Series lineup, delivering reliable performance with many advanced features.
Today, we offer the Irritrol 100 Series (Century Plus) in a range of globe/angle configurations, sizes from 1 to 3 inches, pressure ranges of 20 to 220 psi, optional modular pressure regulation, internal and external bleed, and more.
Popular features on Irritrol’s 100 Series (Century Plus) valves include:
• Non-continuous metering for recycled water applications
• Pressure range of 20 to 220psi
• Range of globe and angel configurations
• Sies from 1 to 3 inches
• Optional modular pressure regulation and internal / external bleed, among other customizations
• Prevents water hammer and system damage in high-pressure installations
• Provides flexibility (only on 102 model)
• Backed by 5-year warranty
We also carry Irritrol’s UltraFlow Series of glass-filled nylon valves. These valves lead the industry for long-term performance and reliability.
The Irritrol UltraFlow Series has a flow range of 0.1 to 180 GPM and a self-cleaning, 150-mesh stainless steel filter screen.
Popular features on the Irritrol UltraFlow Series include:
• Glass-reinforced nylon body and bonnet
• Stainless steel spring and hardware
• Rugged, nylon-reinforced Buna-N diaphragm for extra toughness
• Prevents water hammer and system damage in high pressure installations
• Works with OmniReg modular pressure regulator
• Controls water filter
• Allows for easy external service
• Ensures consistent performance in recycled water applications
• Provides internal and external bleed in flush mode
• Allows for manual operation
• Provides flexibility (105 model only)
• Withstands high temperatures and system surges under pressure for long-term reliability
• Backed by 5-year warranty
Backed by 55+ years of irrigation industry experience, Irritrol is one of the best-known names in the space. Headquartered in Riverside, the company is known for brands like Rain Master.
We carry a full lineup of Irritrol electric valves to reduce pressure loss and control your system using advanced technology.
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.
Licensed Septic contractors
Bulls Septic (Odessa/Midland): 432-202-9177
J&B Services (Odessa/Midland): 432-260-0092
Bobby Stalvey (Odessa/Midland): 432-684-7143
Quality Construction (Waco): 254-829-0001
Brookshire Septic (Waco): 254-744-0194
Jernan Construction (Waco): 254-848-4848
Licensed Irrigators
Petra Services (Odessa/Midland): 432-634-0439
Hart Irrigation (Odessa/Midland): 432-238-2310
Eternal Trees & Landscape (Odessa/Midland): 432-269-6988
Living Water Irrigation (Odessa/Midland): 432-631-2138
CGW Lawn Sprinkler (Waco): 254-723-8278
Rain on Demand (Waco): 254-855-7106
Talbert Irrigation (Waco): 254-218-3517
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.
A lot of winter damage is easy to fix
with a repair to a nozzle or electric valve.
Whether working with an irrigation contractor or fixing it on your own, here are the best tips for transitioning your irrigation system out of winter and into warmer temperatures this spring and summer.
Tip #1: Make Sure Spring Has Sprung
The soil beneath the landscape is always the last to thaw. If you start your sprinkler system when the ground is still frozen, you could damage pipes.
Check soil with a shovel. Make sure it’s frost-free to 12 inches deep. If the soil is rock-solid, wait another week and test it again before activating your sprinkler system.
Tip #2: Regain Control of Your Controls
Check irrigation controls and programs.
• Dust cobwebs on the timer.
• Ensure date and time are correct
• Verify appropriate settings for your landscape’s watering needs.
• Check the backup battery in your timer / controller. It needs replacement every 6 months. Keep a copy of your watering schedule nearby.
Tip #3: Ensure Unobstructed Flow
Rocks, dirt, sand, and other debris can block the flow of water from sprinkler heads.
Obstructed flows lead to uneven distribution, leading to too much water in some areas and not enough water in others. Both can lead to an unhealthy landscape and wasted water.
Inspect spray heads to ensure they weren’t buried and that debris did not accumulate during winter.
Tip #4: Replace Old Nozzles and Sprinkler Heads
Nozzles and sprinkler heads withstand normal wear and tear. However, they’re no match for lawn mower’s the neighbor’s dog, or snowplows.
Replace chipped, cracked, broken, and worn components. Check sprinkler heads, nozzles, valves, and pipes for damage.
A broken sprinkler wreaks havoc on lawns, gardens, and water bills. Check and replace them periodically to avoid issues.
Tip #5: Visually Inspect Each Valve
Valves are the heart of any irrigation system. They regulate the distribution of water.
A leaky valve wastes water and increases your water bill.
• Visually inspect each valve to ensure it’s operating properly. Before turning on water to your system, ensure all manual drain valves are returned to the closed position.
• Look for wet areas on your land or muddy or barren patches. These can be signs of leaky valves.
Tip #6: Avoid a “Water Hammer” High Pressure Surge by Opening Valves Slowly
A water hammer is a high-pressure surge that occurs when you first open a valve. This initial surge leads to burst pipes and damaged valves.
Open the main water valve slowly to allow pipes to keep the hammer in the tool chest. Allow pipes to fill with water in a gradual and controlled way, avoiding a water hammer and costly damage.
Tip #7: Check Pressure to Ensure a Safe Operating Range
When you first turn the main water valve back on, check water pressure to make sure it’s at a safe operating range for sprinkler systems.
• If your system has too much pressure, it leads to cracked pipes, burst valves, sprinkler head leaks, and inefficient watering.
• Invest in a water pressure gauge to measure water pressure in your home and yard. A water pressure gauge connects to a hose faucet to measure pressure in your irrigation system.
• Aim for an operating range of 40 to 65 PSI. If pressure is above this limit, you may need a pressure regulator to prevent damage to the system and poor results.
If water is “misting” out of your sprinkler heads, then reduce pressure, as it may be too high.