26 Landscape and Irrigation June 2014 www.landscapeirrigation.com
Irrigation and Water Management
4) Check the valves. Inspect valves closely to ensure they are
working properly with no leakage.
5) Check for surge. Open valve slowly when restoring water
to a system to avoid damage from a potential water pressure
surge.
6) Check water pressure. Make sure water pressure is within
the suggested operating range, typically 45-60 psi. Water pres-
sure can change over time, particularly in newer developments
as additional homes or buildings are constructed and added to
the area's water service.
7) Check the controller. Clean, check settings and replace
the battery back-up. Reset the watering schedule if necessary.
Landscapes don't need the same amount of water all year long.
Rain Bird recommends at least 3 changes to the watering
schedule — spring, summer and fall, prior to winterization.
8) Examine the landscape for any modifications. New
trees, shrubs, planting beds, fences and hardscapes may require
changes to the irrigation system's design.
9) Suggest potential system upgrades. More efficient system
components, including pressure-regulating sprays and rotors,
weather-smart controllers and low-volume drip irrigation can
reduce water consumption and improve system performance.
Spreading the word
How do contractors convince their customers that it's
important to have a professional review their systems on a
regular basis? It depends on the task at hand. "A handy hom-
eowner or groundskeeper can adjust a rotor," said Mansell.
"When it comes to more complex issues like broken pipes
or damaged valves, you really need a professional. Otherwise,
you're going to lose water. Contractors know what to look
for and where."
Although some contractors excel at promoting their main-
tenance services, others could use some help. Some set their
customers up on an annual fee that includes basic maintenance,
winterization and spring start-up. Others promote their services
on TV, radio and via direct mail. Mansell says no matter what,
contractors have to do something to get their names out there.
"When I ran my irrigation business, I went through more
business cards than you could imagine," he said. "I'd give my
customers 10 cards and ask them to refer their friends and
neighbors to me. Word of mouth is the best promotional tac-
tic. And it's not something that happens overnight. The biggest
thing is to make sure you're always doing quality work. Don't
sacrifice your reputation to do cheap work."
Lynette Von Minden is senior public relations counsel at Swanson
Russell.
Article provided on behalf of Rain Bird.
LI
