A TEXAS TRADITION OF SERVICE SINCE 1979
It’s about to be SPRING!
Sims Plastics can help you with your Springtime tune-up checklist.
Welcome to Your #1 Source for Irrigation, Sprinkler and Septic Supplies
Come on in—We’ve been expecting you!
FEATURED PRODUCTS SPOTLIGHT
Springtime Sprinkler Tune-up Checklist
Make Sure Spring Has Sprung…
Although all signs might be pointing to the arrival of spring, the soil beneath the landscape is always the last to thaw. Starting your sprinkler system while the ground is still frozen can result in damage to the pipes. Use a shovel to make sure that the soil is frost-free 12 inches deep. If it is still solid as a rock, then wait another week and test it again before starting the sprinkler system.
Regain Control…
Run a check of the irrigation controls and programs. This includes dusting away the cobwebs on the timer, making sure the date and time is correct, and that the settings are appropriate for your landscape’s watering needs. Replace the back-up battery in the timer/controller every 6 months, and keep a copy of the watering schedule nearby.
Unobstructed Flow…
Check for rocks, dirt, sand and other types of debris that may block the even flow of water from sprinkler heads. Uneven distribution can lead to too much water in some areas and not enough in others, both resulting in an unhealthy landscape and wasted water. Inspect spray heads and make sure they haven’t become buried and debris has not accumulated around them during the winter.
Out with the old…
Nozzles and sprinkler heads are designed to withstand normal wear and tear of irrigation, but are no match for errant lawn mowers, the neighbor’s dog or snowplows. Replace cracked, chipped or worn components, such as sprinkler heads, nozzles, valves or pipes. A broken sprinkler can wreak havoc on lawns, gardens, and water bills, so it is important to check and replace them periodically.
The Heart of the System…
Valves are the heart of any irrigation system. They regulate the distribution of water throughout the entire system. A leaky valve will waste water, and increase your water bill. Visually inspect each valve to make sure they are operating properly. Before turning on any water to the system, make sure all manual drain valves are returned to the closed position. Overly wet areas in the lawn, resulting in muddy and/or barren patches, may be a result of a leaky valve.
Keep The Hammer in The Tool Chest…
Water hammer is a high-pressure surge that occurs when a valve is first opened. An initial pressure surge can result in pipe bursts and damaged valves. When restoring water to your sprinkler system, open the main water valve slowly to allow pipes to fill with water in a gradual and controlled manner, thus preventing a water hammer and costly damage.
Pressure Check…
When you first turn the main water valve back on, it is important to make sure the water pressure is at a safe operating range for sprinkler systems. A system with too much pressure will result in cracked pipes, busted valves, sprinkler head leaks and inefficient watering. Invest in a water pressure gauge that can be used to measure water pressure in your home and yard. These devices typically connect to a hose faucet and give you a good idea of the pressure in your irrigation system. If the pressure is above the suggested operating range (typically 40 -65 PSI), a pressure regulator may be required to prevent damage to the sprinkler system or undesirable results. For example, if water is “misting” out of your sprinkler heads, your pressure is too high and should be reduced.
Rain Bird Corporation creates irrigation technology that helps shape the way your future grows. Founded in 1933, our 4,000+ products sustain life’s essentials and support your green spaces, guided by a commitment to the Intelligent Use of WaterTM. We draw on nearly a century of expertise to serve a wide variety of industries, blending natural design and human ingenuity to make water work for everyone.
Headquartered in Azusa, California, we were founded during California’s agricultural boom. Since the beginning, Rain Bird has produced and offered the industry’s broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments, and homes in more than 130 countries around the world.
For almost 100 years, Rain Bird has been awarded more than 450 patents worldwide, including the first in 1935 for the original horizontal action impact drive sprinkler (U.S. Patent #1,997,901), which revolutionized the food production industry and ushered in a new era in irrigation. In fact, the original impact sprinkler was designated a historic landmark in 1990 by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers.
CONTRACTOR SPOTLIGHT
All contractors listed below are licensed.
To be featured on 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
- Terrett Septic Tank Co. (Odessa/Midland) 432-684-6427
- Bobby Stalvey (Odessa/Midland) 432-684-7143
- K&M Contracting (Waco) 254-292-9669
- Brookshire Septic (Waco) 254-744-0194
- Jernan Construction (Waco) 254-848-4848
Licensed Irrigators
- ROTH Irrigation (Odessa/Midland) 432-238-2310
- Hart Irrigation (Odessa/Midland) 432-238-2310
- All Star Sprinkler (Odessa/Midland) 432-880-4825
- Eternal Trees & Landscape (Odessa/Midland) 432-269-6988
- Living Water Irrigation (Odessa/Midland) 432-631-2138
- CLS Clements Lawn (Odessa/Midland) 432-520-4657
- CGW Lawn Sprinkler (Waco) 254-723-8278
- Talbert Irrigation (Waco) 254-218-3517
- Rain on Demand (Waco) 254-855-7106
