Residential irrigation systems are essential for maintaining a healthy lawn and garden, but the water source you choose can greatly impact the effectiveness and efficiency of your system. There are several water sources available for residential irrigation, each with its own pros and cons. Understanding the different water sources can help you make informed decisions about the type of system you need and how to use it effectively.

Municipal water supply is the most common water source for residential irrigation systems. This water is treated and tested to ensure it is safe for use in your home and garden. The advantage of using municipal water is that it is readily available and affordable, making it a convenient choice for many homeowners. However, it can be subject to water restrictions during times of drought or water shortage, which can limit its availability for irrigation purposes.

Well water is a common water source for rural or suburban residents who live outside of the municipal water supply. The water is pumped from a well located on the property and can be used for a variety of purposes, including irrigation. The advantage of well water is that it is readily available and not subject to water restrictions, but it may contain minerals or other contaminants that can affect its suitability for irrigation.

Rainwater collection is an eco-friendly water source that is growing in popularity among homeowners. This water is collected from the roof or other surfaces during a rainstorm and stored in a tank or cistern for later use. The advantage of rainwater collection is that it is a renewable resource that is not subject to water restrictions, but it is also dependent on the amount of rainfall in your area, which can limit its availability.

Gray water is water that has been used for household purposes, such as showering, washing dishes, or laundry, and is then collected and stored for later use in irrigation. The advantage of gray water is that it is a cost-effective and eco-friendly water source that reduces the amount of water that is wasted, but it may contain chemicals or other contaminants that can affect its suitability for irrigation.

Irrigation water rights refer to the legal right to use water from a particular source for irrigation purposes. This water can come from a variety of sources, including rivers, streams, or groundwater. Irrigation water rights can be a valuable asset for homeowners who rely on irrigation for their lawn and garden, but they can also be subject to water restrictions during times of drought or water shortage.

In conclusion, understanding the different water sources available for residential irrigation systems can help you make informed decisions about the type of system you need and how to use it effectively. By taking into consideration the local climate, water restrictions, and the cost and impact on the environment, you can choose a water source that is right for your needs and helps conserve water.

The type of soil in your yard, the climate in your area, and the irrigation scheduling are all critical factors to consider when designing and planning your residential irrigation system. Understanding these elements can help you make informed decisions about the type of irrigation system you need and how to use it effectively.

The type of soil in your yard can greatly impact the effectiveness of your irrigation system. Different soil types have different water-retention capabilities, and understanding these capabilities can help you determine the right amount of water to apply to your lawn and garden. For example, sandy soils have poor water retention and require more frequent watering, while clay soils have better water retention but can become waterlogged if over-watered.

The climate in your area can also impact the design and planning of your residential irrigation system. In areas with high temperatures and low rainfall, you may need a more sophisticated irrigation system to help conserve water and prevent your lawn and garden from becoming stressed. On the other hand, in areas with moderate temperatures and higher rainfall, a simpler irrigation system may suffice.

In coordination with soil type and climate, it's important to schedule your irrigation in a way that maximizes its effectiveness. This may mean watering your lawn and garden in the early morning or late evening to avoid water evaporation, or adjusting the frequency of watering based on the type of soil and the climate in your area.

Here are some tips to help you take soil type, climate, and irrigation scheduling into consideration when designing and planning your residential irrigation system:

1. Get a soil test: A soil test can help you determine the water-retention capabilities of your soil, and can inform the design and planning of your irrigation system.
2. Consider the climate: Take the climate in your area into consideration when selecting the type of irrigation system you need and how often you should water your lawn and garden.
3. Choose the right system: Based on the soil type and climate in your area, choose an irrigation system that meets your needs and can effectively water your lawn and garden.
4. Schedule regular maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential to ensure that your irrigation system is functioning optimally and conserving water.
5. Coordinate irrigation scheduling with soil type and climate: Schedule your irrigation to take soil type, climate, and other environmental conditions into consideration, to maximize its effectiveness and conserve water.

In conclusion, soil type, climate, and irrigation scheduling are all critical elements to consider when designing and planning your residential irrigation system. By understanding these factors and taking them into consideration, you can create an effective and sustainable irrigation system that provides for the needs of your lawn and garden.

Most homeowners have come to realize that the most streamlined way of caring for a landscape is to water by irrigating. Installing an irrigation system is an excellent way for property owners to save water, time and money. Thus making an irrigation system a true investment in the longevity of your landscape and improving the equity of your home.

As one would assume, however, not all irrigation systems are created equally. Careful consideration must be taken when deciding to install an irrigation system. Deciding who will install your irrigation system, should also be deemed a top priority. Some decide to go the DIY route, while more discerning owners decide to work with reputable, licensed and bonded professionals. For the vast majority of people, the advantages of working with a licensed irrigation contractor far exceed the cons and can prevent the need to spend more money in the future.

Still, many property owners wonder if installing an irrigation system is worth the sometimes hefty price tag. Let’s talk about why it’s worth considering.

This may be the best reason why irrigation is so popular with property owners. Watering even a small front and backyard by hand can become extremely time consuming. Several factors will determine how much water your landscape needs and how frequently you will need to water, including: 

• Where you live 
• The current season
• The type of sod you have
• Whether your landscape contains native plants versus non-native plants
• The water-retaining capabilities of your soil
• The square footage of the area to be watered
• Sun exposure - Full Sun, Part Sun, North, South, East, West, etc

The list goes on, but it’s fair to say that in the summertime you’ll spend more time watering than any other season. Most homeowners don’t want to spend their summer watering their grass, a garden or their 30 potted plants. If you live in a hot, humid part of the country irrigation might be your best bet, lest you lose your sanity and landscaping.

For systems that have been installed professionally, your entire system is primarily controlled via an irrigation controller, or commonly referred to as an “irrigation timer.” Irrigation controllers have become quite advanced over the years, albeit the implementation of these advancements is still taking a while to catch on. This isn’t because they are not worth investing in but simply because, well, most homeowners don’t know they are available. Secondly, if it isn’t broken, why fix it? Current and new irrigation owners should most certainly consider these valuable irrigation upgrades. Some advancements include rain sensors, soil sensors and wifi pairing which allows you to control your system remotely. Rain sensors are great for avoiding the need to constantly adjust your controller during the spring and fall when rainfall is more likely, while the ability to water and monitor water usage remotely is perfect for those of us that travel frequently.

An irrigation system isn’t only great for saving you time, it will also save you money. You won’t have to worry about paying a landscaper, neighbor or friend to drop by to water your plants and lawn while you’re out of town. We in the industry like to call this, “hiring a neighbor to kill your lawn and potted plants,” as this is a common occurrence.

Water is also likely one of your most costly utilities every month, especially in the summertime. As one of our most precious resources, water should be utilized with care and consideration. By taking advantage of the advancements that have been made in the irrigation industry you can help to conserve more, and consequently, reduce your water bills. 

Another great benefit of irrigating—versus meticulously trying to set up cheap and wasteful oscillating sprinklers or hand-watering—is that everything can be watered separately on its own timer. The watering needs of your plants is absolutely going to be different from the watering needs of your lawn. Installing a combination of both drip irrigation and lawn sprinklers on different zones makes it possible to get every plant and patch of grass watered with less water waste. 

Drip irrigation is exactly what it sounds like; the water comes out as a trickle from a hose and allows your garden, trees, shrubs and potted plants to slowly absorb the water being supplied. This results in less water runoff.

Lawn sprinklers are perfect for watering large, grassy areas. There are many different types and each has its pros and cons. Some of the options you’ll find include:

• Spray Heads - Spray heads are great for well defined and angular areas.  We typically use them for smaller lawns and larger shrub beds.
• Rotary Sprinklers - Rotor heads come in many different sizes and distances with which they can distribute water. Rotors are used to irrigate medium to large lawns, sports fields and golf courses. 
• Micro Sprays - Micro Sprays are great for small bed areas that need water broadcasted over the top. These are typically used for ground cover areas where you are looking for a plant to spread.

We won’t get into all of the options you have for hardware as there is a ton of information out there, but you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the various products on the market so you can make the right choice for your landscape. Conversely, as you’ve likely guessed, poorly installed irrigation systems can waste a significant amount of water so it’s also wise to create a thorough map of your irrigation needs before any installations are made. You can do this by deciding which plants will go where and making note of how much water they will need. Decide where you will lay sod and make note of which areas are getting sun and which areas are shaded.

Removed Valves encased in concrete that were leaking. Improper installation.

Poorly-installed systems don’t always look janky. In fact, more often than not, they appear to work just fine. That is, until you try to make any changes or repairs. Because many homeowners have little to no knowledge of water velocity, friction loss or irrigation equipment, a lot can go wrong.

It is easy to overrun stations by installing too many heads or drippers on each zone. When this happens zones likely need to be split to ensure the right amount of water is being distributed to each sprinkler head/dripper.

Inexperienced contractors frequently buy the incorrect kind of piping when installing a “professional system.” Irrigation pipes need to be able to withstand high pressure and friction without breaking down prematurely. It is important to buy the right materials for the climate and terrain in your area. Homeowners down South aren’t at as much risk of bursting a pipe due to freezing temperatures, but homeowners in the North really need to do their research.

Some of the issues we have seen with DIY irrigation systems, or systems built by ill-informed contractors include:

• Incorrect use of irrigation piping, fittings, etc.
• Poor glue technique
• Low water pressure because wrong nozzles were used
• Water pressure that is too high - burst pipes!
• Missing backflow devices
• Water-puddling
• Wilting plants and dead trees
• Dry, brittle grass

Making changes to an inadequately-installed system can quickly become a headache. Despite a homeowner going the DIY route to try and save money, they are oftentimes forced to hire a professional in the end. We’ve seen it all; some common and expensive issues include:

• Rerouting the entire system
• Adding several zones
• Redoing wiring
• Installing backflow devices
• Replacing or repairing backflow devices or their components
• Flushing systems due to dirt and debris caught in the lines
• Tearing out sprinkler irrigation and adding drip irrigation, and vice versa
• Removing pavers to get to leaks or breaks
• Cutting away entire driveways

If you're curious about what a backflow device is or what its primary function might be, you aren’t alone. There is a lot of mystery out there regarding these devices. Some counties or states require you to have a functional backflow device installed along with irrigation, while others do not. Either way, it is a smart decision to get a backflow device installed with your irrigation system. This is because a backflow device’s primary function is to protect the community’s drinking water. If you want to learn more about the importance of a backflow device or are curious about whether you should install one, check out our blog post: What Is The Cost Of Repairing A Failed Backflow.

A properly installed system should be easy to maintain and expand should the need arise. If you make the decision to purchase more plants or shrubs, adding an additional zone in the future shouldn’t be a problem if you are working with an experienced pro.

How many times have you purchased a cheap product only to be disappointed? You then later find yourself buying the more expensive—but superior and reliable—competing product. I can tell you that I personally have lost count of the number of times I’ve experienced this. It works the same for irrigation. Only in this case, you can’t return to the store with buyer’s remorse to request a refund. But don’t fret, finding a good professional, should you decide to go this route is relatively easy and there are several reasons to do so.

Check to see that your chosen contractor carries a license. 
You can search your state’s licensing board website for contractor information. Ensure you are spelling the name of the business or business owner correctly; sometimes the appropriate results won’t come back if anything is misspelled.

Does your irrigation contractor carry insurance? 
It’s possible for you to look this up on the same site you would use to find out if your chosen professional has a license. It’s important to only work with someone that carries insurance, regardless of the deal you are getting. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you're iffy about the information you find, ask your contractor for proof of insurance, if he or she is unable to furnish proof quickly, run while you still can.

Make sure your contractor wants to look at your job before blindly giving you a quote. You’ve decided you don’t want to DIY your irrigation system, but you also don’t want to get taken to the cleaners. Make sure the person you’re working with takes a thorough look at your irrigation project. A real professional will take the time to walk you through the process and discuss with you the potential possibilities for your outdoor space.

If your contractor asks for any money upfront, make sure you get a receipt. 
Some contractors will ask for down payments upfront. It is not unheard of for this to happen. Sometimes it is up to 50% of the total cost of your job, or more. This may seem like a great deal of money but parts and materials can get expensive for large projects. While it is okay to make a down payment—and this may seem obvious—make sure you get a detailed receipt or invoice for the down payment you are being requested to make. Some may get excited by getting what appears to be such a great deal that they are willing to forgo important paperwork. A signed contract in hand before any works begin is also a smart idea.

Working with a professional should be a smooth and relatively painless process. A few things to appreciate about working with someone that is licensed:

• They are professionals that have invested time and money into obtaining a license; they care about doing things the right way.

• If they mess something up, or one of their employees messed something up, they will likely care about making it right.

• Most licensed contractors have legitimate work experience. This is to your advantage as they will be able to share their knowledge with you. Don’t be shy about asking for references.

• Most licensed contractors will warranty their work, including parts. This is because they purchase reliable, professional parts from reputable manufacturers.

• If you are unsatisfied with the work that was done, most reputable contractors will work with you; they want happy customers that will give them positive reviews.

We know making the decision to purchase irrigation is a big one for most people. We believe that investing in your landscape by purchasing an irrigation system is absolutely worth the time and effort that your system is sure to save you down the road. 

If you’d like to talk more about the benefits of irrigation, give us a call. We are happy to answer any questions you might have about irrigation installation, materials or landscaping. If you’re located in Central Oregon, that’s our neck of the woods! You can call us to request a quote or fill out our online contact form.

For more information about all things irrigation, check out our blog!

We commonly get the question of, "What is a Man-hour"?  

While most home services companies bill by the hour they forget to tell you that they bill by the man-hour.  Even if they did tell you that, you probably didn't know what they meant when they said it. I am going to fill you in on what a man-hour is and how you can calculate what  your bill is going to be.  It's pretty simple.

Let's say you had 1 technician work at your house for 2 hours.  Assuming the man-hour rate is $75.00/hr then the rate would be calculated like this:

Let's say you had 3 technicians work at your house for 2 hours.  Assuming the man-hour rate is $75.00/hr then the rate would be calculated like this:

Nothing is more frustrating than having your backflow assembly fail its annual inspection.  You start wondering, how in the heck did this happen and how could I have prevented it?  Most the time, it is something that you cannot prevent because it is typically something that is out of your control.  Luckily, most failed backflow assemblies are repairable so they don't need to be completely replaced.

First things, first...
The purpose of a backflow test is to ensure that water does not flow from your irrigation side of the double check to the drinking water side of the double check.  

In order for the assembly to pass it must maintain at least 1.0 PSID (pounds per square inch differential). This means that that there is at least 1.0 psi difference between checks which then tells us that the check closed.  If the PSID equals zero, this represents both chambers have equal pressure. This tells us that the assembly leaked and water can flow back into your drinking water.

We have certified testers on our crew that are certified through the Oregon Health Authority and we have special testing gauges that are calibrated annually to ensure that the test are completed accurately.

The most common time we see assemblies fail is after a repair to the mainline has been done.  In the event that you had some work done, or had a broken pipe, sometimes pipe shavings and/or pieces of pipe can get caught between the checks or poppits, that can cause the checks not to seal.  

Sometimes the water company will do work on the water system and bits of pipe can also enter the system and make its way into your irrigation double check.

Sometimes the springs will get worn out due to age.  To repair this problem, we would need to shut off the water to the assembly, remove the checks and replace the springs.  

There has been times when I have opened up a check valve where the checks are completely destroyed.  Still to this day, I have no clue why this is happening, but I just assume it is wear and tear on the components.

One backflow assemblies their are two shut-offs that are required for testing.  Both of these valves need to completely close in order to do a test on your device.  If during the test we find that water continues to flow through the these shut-offs, the test cannot be completed and it would result in a failed test.  

Many contractors will tell you this assembly might need to be replaced, but likely just the shut-off valve would need to be replaced.  Shut-off #2 can be a typical ball valve, but shut-off #1 is a "tapped" ball valve (allows for a test cock to be screw into it) and needs to be replaced with a "tapped" ball valve.  The price of a tapped ball valve costs more because of the manufacturing of this uncommon ball valve.

Replacing a shut-off valve can be a simple task or a difficult task depending on your current installation of your backflow assembly.  Some devices need to be cut out while others have unions on each end that allows for the assembly to be removed for easy service.  All assemblies are required to have unions upon installation, but some were omitted by the installer to cut corners in an effort to enhance profits.

This is an extreme case if a backflow assembly needs to be replaced.  Often time this is due to freezing the body, then replacing the double check is the best way to go about alleviating water squirting everywhere.  

Tops, test cocks, internal parts and ball valves are pretty much readily available if needed for repair.  In some circumstances they are not.  Some assemblies are discontinued but parts are still available for them.  The Watts 775 Double Check, however, is discontinued and parts are also NOT available for them.  A failed backflow test would result in needing to replace the assembly.  This assembly is in the Central Oregon area.  Many assemblies were installed from 1998 until around 2003.  With the building boom and the affordable price of this assembly, it is widespread through Bend, Redmond and Sisters.

Repairing an assembly to be compliant with your water company can be fairly easy to do. Contact Everist Irrigation if you suspect your backflow assembly may need replacement; you can find us on the web or call us at (541) 362-1389.

So you need some help maintaining your lawn. We get it. Lawn care can be time consuming. Especially if you are located in Central Oregon. Our spring clean-up and fall clean-up weather can be brutal so it’s no wonder we might want to hire someone to lend us a hand.  And don’t even get us started on the snow. Although we Oregonians are typically prepared for inclimate weather, sometimes it comes out of nowhere leaving us scurrying to get it all in order. Fortunately, Everist Irrigation is here to help answer all your lawn maintenance questions.

Listed below are some common questions we get asked as well as some valuable information you might want to consider before purchasing mowing services or lawn maintenance services this upcoming season.

Often times, mowing services only include, you guessed it—mowing. Mowing services also vary greatly in terms of cost. It isn’t uncommon for your mowing service to come with edging and blowing of leftover debris. However, this is not always the case, especially if you have a large yard. Debris clean-up and edging may be extra. We always try to be very honest with our clients when it comes to pricing, but unfortunately we cannot foresee every circumstance before we encounter it. For example, if we encounter an egregious amount of animal feces in the yard and need to move it before completing a mowing service, we will need to charge extra. Moreover, pricing will likely change if you decide to add additional services after a set amount has already been agreed upon.

To be forward, a mowing service isn’t a cover-all term. It is a common misconception that “mowing services” means “full service.” It will save you and your landscape maintenance company a lot of headache and frustration if you don’t assume that just because your last guy did it, everyone will do it. If you’ve worked with someone that will rake your entire yard for free, by all means do not walk away from that deal. Landscape maintenance is hard work and hard work typically can come with a hefty price tag. 

The best way to know if something is included with a service is to call the company servicing your property and ask. The following is not an exhaustive list, but rather an example of services that are not normally included as part of a mowing service:

• Fertilization
• Shrub Fertilization
• Pruning of bushes and plants
• Trimming of trees
• Raking
• Leaf collection
• Gutter clean-up
• Reseeding
• Spreading topsoil 
• Spreading mulch
• Hauling away yard debris (pine cones, pine needles, leaves, brush, tree trimmings, etc.)
• Irrigation work

As we said earlier, mowing services vary greatly in cost; but the most important factor to consider is probably the size of your lawn or the areas that need to be serviced. It is most common for companies to charge based on a combination of time spent and services performed. Pricing out a mowing service is best done in person as well; you don’t want your technician just throwing out numbers based on a telephone conversation. In most cases, we need to actually see what your property looks like; Google satellite or images you’ve taken can only get us so far.

We suggest that your mowing service is performed on a weekly basis rather than bi-weekly or monthly. If your lawn is overgrown with lots of weeds and debris it will take more time to get it in order, resulting in an increased cost for each service performed. If we can get your mowing service completed quickly we can move on to the next house quickly, so it pays to keep up with your lawn. Regular, weekly maintenance will also keep your edges looking nice and keep grass from seeding and growing into areas it doesn’t belong, like in garden beds, for example.

Depending on the size of your lawn, we will use either a push mower or a riding mower for the majority of the work. When cleaning up your lawn’s edges we use a “string trimmer” for areas around beds, plants and bushes. Alternatively, a “stick edger” is used around sidewalks driveways and hardscaping. This is because a string trimmer is easier to use in areas with intricate shapes like garden beds, where as a stick edger is more appropriate for use in areas that have a straight edge. Finally, we use a high-capacity leaf blower to quickly blow dirt or debris that has collected on your back patio, front entry, sidewalks and driveways to ensure a nice finish to your service.

Depending on the size of your lawn, we will use either a push mower or a riding mower for the majority of the work. When cleaning up your lawn’s edges we use a “string trimmer” for areas around beds, plants and bushes. Alternatively, a “stick edger” is used around sidewalks driveways and hardscaping. This is because a string trimmer is easier to use in areas with intricate shapes like garden beds, where as a stick edger is more appropriate for use in areas that have a straight edge. Finally, we use a high-capacity leaf blower to quickly blow dirt or debris that has collected on your back patio, front entry, sidewalks and driveways to ensure a nice finish to your service.

It’s important to know that any company that is working on your property is legitimate and has some kind of general liability insurance. It might not sound like a lot can go wrong during a mowing service, but trust us when we say you’d rather be safe than sorry here. Unfortunately accidents do happen, no matter how cautious your landscape technician may be. Broken windows; damaged sprinkler heads, valve boxes and fences are only a few of the issues we’ve seen. We’ve broken two windows ourselves—accidents happen and that’s okay—but you want to make sure that any contractor you work with is prepared to correct these mistakes promptly. 

Ask to see proof of your chosen contractor’s insurance, or if you’re in the state of Oregon you can simply visit the Landscape Contractors Board License Search Page. Here you can type in the contractor’s business license number or the business name and find out if their license is active, suspended, or has been revoked. You can also review information about the insurance they carry, like limits and bond amount. If you’re outside of Oregon, use Google to find out where you can search contractor’s license numbers for your state.

Some landscape maintenance companies will provide their clients with hefty discounts, but only if you ask. Everist Irrigation offers a discount of 5% if your maintenance services are paid in full for the year. We also extend this offer to teachers, active military or reserve military, members of the National Guard, police officers, firefighters, and prison personnel. 

We are also very excited to announce that we have partnered with Project Evergreen to offer lawn care services to the men and women that so selflessly volunteer their time in defense of our country. This program, known as GreenCare For Troops, provides lawn care to the families of active duty military personnel. For more information or to apply for service, please visit Project Evergreen’s GreenCare For Troops website.

Although it is difficult to guarantee a mowing service because of the nature of the work, most landscape maintenance companies should be willing to work with a client if they are unsatisfied. At Everist Irrigation, quality service is of the utmost importance to us. And our clients love us for it! We guarantee we will do everything we can to ensure that every client we work with is happy with our service. Read our reviews on Yelp!

That is why we offer something we like to call an “introductory mowing service.”  An introductory mowing service is a one-time mowing service for new clients only. The service is highly discounted and is available for new clients to try us out. Shortly after a mowing service has concluded, a new client will receive a figure for weekly mowing for the remainder of the mowing season (typically runs from April through October) via email. This cost is based on the equipment used, the time spent on the property to get the mowing service done, and any additional add-ons the client has discussed with us (like weeding or trimming).

It’s important to know who you’re working with and how qualified they might be, so it doesn’t hurt to ask. Any reputable business will have no problem answering this question.

If you are seeking out service with a new company you’ve not previously worked with, find out where the company’s experience lies. Are they primarily an irrigation company, or a landscape maintenance company? Do they have different crews that handle different aspects of the business? Will they subcontract work they do not have the capability to perform? Do they have an arborist on staff; if there is a dead tree on the property, will someone be able to identify it? Will someone be available to provide information and recommendations for maintaining the vegetation in the area? 

These are important questions to ask for your own personal knowledge and for setting your expectations with a company. If you’ll need to call another company out to inspect your Pin Oak trees, you’ll want to know that ahead of time. Furthermore, an inexperienced lawn maintenance company might make rookie mistakes, leaving you to foot the bill. Needing to replace a lawn is not a situation any homeowner wants to endure. Overfertilization, under fertilization, damaged plants due to over-pruning, and damaged irrigation are a few issues you may experience as a result of hiring an inexperienced landscape technician.

Our team has a combined experience of more than 45 years and Everist Irrigation has been in business for nine years; you can rest assured that we know what we’re doing, both with your landscape and your irrigation.

Make sure to ask your chosen lawn maintenance company how they will schedule your services, whether that be at a certain time or day of the week. Not all landscape maintenance companies are created equally and it isn’t uncommon for a maintenance company to simply show up without prior notice. While this is not always a problem, it’s nice to know when your technician will be on-site so that you can plan around their visit, or if you need to ask them any questions.

We schedule services out on a yearly basis, so you will most likely know ahead of time when we are showing up. This also means if you received lawn maintenance from us in 2019, you will need to renew your maintenance contract with us for 2020 before we show up to do any work in the new year. We do this in the event that a property is under new ownership after the mowing season has concluded for the year (during the winter). 

However, it is necessary to notify your landscape company if you intend on selling your home, especially if it is during the mowing season. While we consider ourselves to be innovative—not something you will commonly hear from an irrigation company—we don’t want to charge someone for a service they didn’t need or want. We try to make this easy; our system is quite sophisticated and all of our clients receive email notifications for most of the services we are due to perform on their property. The notifications we currently send include: an email confirmation for scheduled appointments, appointment reminders (in the event 
that your confirmation went to junk) cancelled appointments, rescheduled appointments, and appointment completions. Very soon we will be implementing notifications by text message as well.

It should be easy to pay for landscape maintenance, whether that be online or by writing
a check. Nevertheless, you will want to understand in advance how your lawn mowing company will bill you. Some questions you should ask include: Will I be billed monthly, quarterly or annually? Can I pay via credit card, check or cash? Will you leave an invoice on my door or will you send me an invoice in the mail or by email? Do you offer auto-pay? Do you offer an Online Customer Portal so I can view all my invoices, notes and payment history?

At Everist Irrigation, we do all of our invoicing through email, so you never need to worry about writing a check, paying your technician cash, or calling to pay over the phone. Everything is kept nice and secure via the latest online encryption standards. We are flexible and can bill your maintenance on a monthly or yearly basis. Soon we will offer an auto-pay feature as well as an Online Customer Portal so you will always know what is happening with your account.

We are constantly implementing new automation so that you can be well-informed about what is going on with your system.

We hope you found this article full of useful information! For more about Everist Irrigation, visit us on the web. If you have any questions, please fill out our contact form and someone will be in touch with you just as soon as we’re out of the field. You can also give us a ring at (541) 362-1389. Don’t forget, our estimates are always free!

As most irrigation system are very different from one another, you will see below of what you can expect for an irrigation system to be installed and how it isn't a straight across the board quote for every site.

This is what is going to change your project costs the most.  All sites are different in the layout and these items below will dictate the costs of your irrigation system.

Equipment: Equipment access can speed up the process for installing irrigation so if your irrigation needs to be installed in the backyard of a house that doesn't have access for a trencher, labor will increase due to more labor hours that will be required.  Also, the labor for backfilling and leveling out irrigation trenches for pipe and heads will need more manual labor as well.  A lot of new homes are installed real close to property boundaries with one gate access on the side of the house.  That side of the house typically has a 12" step to a door or an air conditioning unit that makes it difficult for even a lawn mower to pass through.

Rocks: If you irrigation system needs to be weaved in and out of rocks, the cost will also increase as many cuts and additional excavation will be required.  Rock hammering may also be needed if there is no path around.

Hillsides:  Hillsides will also increase the price because of increased labor and modifications to the irrigation system hydraulics to overcome gravity and friction limitations.  

Existing landscape:  Many times we are called after the fact that the homeowner has installed a new lawn to their landscape, hoping to get an irrigation system installed.  In order to protect the freshly installed investment of sod, the irrigation system would have to be "surgically" installed to prevent from damaging or wasting the money invested in the new lawn.  Great care will need to be used when compacting trenches, setting heads and leveling out the soil for the lawn to be laid back down to look as if we were never there.

Water:  You may be supplied by a private well, community well, municipality, private water company, or surface irrigation water.  All of these water suppliers allow a certain amount of water and great care will need to be taken to determine how much water is available for your irrigation system.    A private water well can yield around 5-10 gallons of water per minute, where a private water company can produce 15-20 gallons.  Water availability will dictate the size of each zone.  More water can mean less zones because the zone can cover more area.

Surface irrigation water (from an irrigation canal) will also need to have a in irrigation pump installed.  An irrigation pump will allow you to transfer the water from an irrigation pond in to the irrigation system and pressurize the water.  

All irrigation systems need to be protected with some sort of backflow prevention as required by Oregon State Law.  https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/DRINKINGWATER/Pages/acr.aspx

Spray zones are great for those small areas or even oddly shaped areas.  With distances of 4' - 15' between sprinklers, you can pretty much irrigate any odd shaped area like entry way beds or car strip areas.  Spray heads help keep the water on landscape instead of undesired areas if installed correctly.  

Rotor zones are great for irrigation large areas that have more dimensional.  Think of a park or a football field.  The more dimensional an area is, the better option it is to use Rotors

Controllers can offer you many different features.  Some are just an automation tool to turn the water on and off, while others can sense the weather and make adjustments automatically to reduce damage or over watering to your landscape.  

To determine which controller you need will also be dependent on how many zones you have in your irrigation system.  The more zones your system has, the more expensive your controller will be.  Most controllers start with a base of 4 stations available.  Many can be expandable up to 22 or even 48 zones.  

Drip systems can range in price greatly due to what the actual needs are.  If you are installing drip to flower pots or using drip to irrigate a whole landscape the labor and materials will range greatly.

Spring is around the corner.  You’re getting excited to fertilize the lawn, rake up any remaining leaves and pruning back the Crab Apples.  Early Spring is also the best time to get your irrigation system in order.  Turning the irrigation system on is important to do before you need water to be applied to your landscape.  

When we turn on irrigation systems, we like to do it way before anyone needs the water.  This allows our clients to be ready and have any repairs completed before the irrigation season begins.  So what can you do to get your system running for a worry-free summer?

Use your ears:  

• When you turn on the water for the season, listen for the water to start flowing through the pipes and then listen for the water to stop flowing.  
• Once you don’t hear the “shoosh” of water, your pipes are full and this usually represents the no breaks in the mainline and no valves have been left on from the winterization.

Use your eyes:  

• Inspect each of the valve boxes to make sure water isn’t filling them.  Normally valve boxes are dry, though sometimes runoff from downspouts and gutters fill them.  
• If you see tiny root mats in the boxes, this means you have a leak it needs to be repaired. 
• If your valve boxes are buried in soil, dig out the soil as moisture can cause corrosion on the wire connections and render the valve useless.  
• Make sure all wire connections have waterproof.  These are different than household wire nuts.

Use your hands:

• Turn on each zone from the controller to ensure your controller is sending power to each of your irrigation valves.  
• Run each zone for about 2-3 minutes to see if heads are out of adjustment, heads aren’t broken, no bubbling of water present where a sprinkler isn’t and all areas that you desire to be watered are getting great coverage.  
• Program the controller to follow the watering guidelines set forth by the City of Bend.  https://www.bendoregon.gov/government/departments/utilities/conservation/waterwise-irrigation

The most common area for damage through Winter is around walkways, sidewalks, and driveways.  Vehicles, snow removal equipment, and pedestrians tend to damage irrigation equipment in these areas, so it’s best to spend more attention there.  Look for excessive water flowing down hard surfaces, is a good indication that you have a broken fitting or head, even though it looks like water is flowing through the sprinkler head with no problems.  

Bottom line, it takes time to repair an irrigation system and when you need it the most, so does everyone else.  If you are adept to repairing irrigation systems, you should be fine with heading to Home Depot or Lowes and getting your system back on track.  If you aren't, you may find that companies are booked out for weeks at a time with repairs that need to be completed.  So planning ahead of when you need water is extremely important if you want water when your plants need it.  

Irrigation systems are fairly inexpensive to maintain. Just like most things, regular maintenance is required.  Some you can do on your own while other maintenance requires a licensed and experienced contractor do the work.  

Spring, for the most part, is the time that typically requires the most maintenance.  Over the winter months, irrigation equipment can be damaged by snow removal equipment and heavy loads of snow.  

Heads around driveways and walkways often have broken nozzles or are directed in the wrong direction from snow shovels and snowblowers.  

Valve boxes are typically safe but can also be crushed from heavy loads of snow and ice.  Shoveling snow from the roof can also cause a valve box to get crushed from the speed at which the snow is being dumped from the roof.  

To have a licensed contractor turn on your irrigation system and make adjustments and minor repairs, you’re looking at a range from $55 - $85.  The price usually ranges by how many zones your irrigation system has.  

Every year, the State of Oregon requires you to perform a backflow test and it is up to the water company you are purchasing water from to enforce that test.  All water companies have different rules so it is best to contact your water company to find out which devices you are responsible for testing.  

Some common problems that happen mid-season that would require you to contact a service professional:

• Brown spots in the lawn
• Watering the side of the house
• A head not spraying
• Watering the road
• A head not rotating
• A sprinkler zone will not turn on
• The system will not stop watering
• Noticed water running down hard surfaces
• Pooling water
• A sinkhole has developed
• A nozzle is not spraying correctly
• Power outage caused the controller to reset itself
• Broken pipe caused by working in the yard
• Broken head from the lawn mower and/or edger

While some of these problems can be fixed by an unskilled professional, it is well worth the investment of a service call to get someone to fix it correctly the first time.  Many times we have been called after one of two things happen:  Either the "gardener" tried to fix it and used incorrect parts, or the homeowner tried to save a couple of bucks and do it themselves.  

While all of these services can mean different costs due to the severity of the problem, you can probably expect to spend around $100 once parts are added to the labor costs.  

Expect to pay for a minimum of 1 hour of work for a service call.  To save your technician some time, you may want to proactively get a list of things together you’d like checked out. Some examples may be straightening a couple of heads, checking your controller’s programming, or raising a head that is too low.

Much like  spring services, your winterization is usually based on the size of your system.  Some have a 4 station base price while others have a 5 station base price.  Pricing structure can vary greatly based on the company and the service level they provide.  

!! IMPORTANT !!
In the State of Oregon, only licensed irrigation and plumbing contractors are eligible to winterize irrigation systems.  Services performed by unlicensed individuals can come with consequences.  This can include damage to your irrigation system, damage to your property and other potential liabilities.  Licensed companies are required to hold insurance and bond certificates in the event damage happens to your property or irrigation system.  

The typical time to winterize your irrigation system is between October 1st and November 15th.  I highly recommend you get on a company's blowout list sooner rather than later.  Many companies fill up their schedules quickly.  Some companies offer packages you can pre-purchase at the beginning of the season to receive a discount on your yearly services.

Every year most of us get a notice to get your backflow tested.  Depending on your water company and how they institute a backflow prevention program, you will need to either test your assemblies or they will test it for you.  All of which, is tested for a fee.  Whether the water company charges you via your monthly water bill or you pay a licensed tester.

Residential water systems typically protect their water services with two backflow prevention assemblies.  One assembly is typically at the water meter and another is typically at the irrigation system.

If you radiant flooring and/or a residential fire suppression system, you may also be required to test your assemblies that protect your drinking water from contamination.  

Residences that receive water from the City of Bend typically only have to test their backflow that is connected to your irrigation system.  The City of Bend will send out a notification each year for those needing to complete an annual test.  Even though many wait until they receive a notice to contact a company to test their irrigation backflow assembly, they can be tested before the notice arrives.  This will help you stay compliant and have your test completed before the test deadline.

While most residences that are delivered water by the City of Bend have a backflow assembly just after the water meter, they are not required to test this assembly.  The city has chosen to test these assembly's on their own and have incorporated the cost of testing those assemblies into your water bill.   

Agate Water services primarily the Deschutes Riverwoods neighborhood.  They typically are requiring the domestic backflow assembly be tested.  This is the assembly that is located just after the water meter.

Avion Water is a difficult water district for me to figure out what assemblies need to be tested and which don't.  If you need to complete a test with them, it is recommended that you contact Avion directly to find out what assemblies need to be tested.  

I have been out to places where just the backflow assembly at the water meter needed to be tested.  Others where the domestic backflow and the irrigation needs to be tested.  

In most cases, Avion will take care of testing their own backflow assemblies after the water meter, and will not make you test your irrigation backflow assembly.  

Roats requires your irrigation backflow assembly to be tested if you don't have a backflow assembly after your water meter.  So if you have a backflow assembly after the water meter, they are not going to require you to have you irrigation backflow assembly tested.  

Now that we are well into the Fall season many of us are either spending money on having our yards cleaned up, or doing it ourselves. Raking leaves, gathering pine needles, pine cones, and getting those gutters cleaned out are pertinent to preparing for the winter season. If you have an irrigation system, you also know that it should be winterized, especially if you live in an area like Central Oregon that experiences freezing temperatures. Although irrigation is not something we typically think about in the winter, it may be something to consider upgrading. Specifically, upgrading your irrigation controller to a more efficient, smart controller can save you time and money. This makes it one of the more practical purchases for your home. Read on for additional advantages of switching to a wifi-enabled, smart irrigation controller.

Irrigation systems are a mystery to most of us. Generally, irrigation lines are out of sight, making it difficult to diagnose a leak or break in the system without a professional. Installation of a smart controller can remedy this. Rain Bird’s ESP-TM2 Series Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timers helps you to better understand your irrigation system.
The user-friendly interface will display any issues your system may be experiencing. When combined with the handy Rain Bird mobile app, you’ll always be in control; if there is danger of freezing temps or more seriously, a short in the system, you’ll be notified. Furthermore, if you do wind up needing a technician, Rain Bird displays useful information your technician will need to get your system up and running again.

While the cost of installing a new Rain Bird or other smart controller may seem daunting, the savings alone will more than pay for your new investment.

On average, homeowners save 30% more water that would otherwise be wasted due to overwatering.* Rain Bird uses “Automatic Seasonal Adjust” when determining your landscape’s watering needs. This setting takes three things into consideration: the average historical weather data for the current month, what the weather was yesterday, and what the weather is supposed to be tomorrow. No more wondering if your system is actually watering your lawn, or worse—watering your lawn while it’s raining. All that water savings can equate to big money saving for you!

Click here to see how Seasonal Adjustment works.

Your smart controller is made to work with other smart technology. If you have a smart speaker like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, you can use these devices to control your sprinklers, this includes both zone-specific areas or the entire system. You can say things like “Alexa, water my backyard for 15 minutes, or “ Ok, Google, stop Rain Bird.”

Along with being able to control your smart irrigation system via smart technology in your home, Rain Bird has a new mobile app that makes dialing in your sprinkler system a snap. Not only can you toggle notifications on and off, the mobile app allows your phone or tablet to work as a remote control. You can operate your system from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. This allows you to increase and decrease run times based on weather, view your watering schedule, and water manually. You can also add or remove programs, stations or entire systems.

If you’d like more information about the installation of a smart controller, or simply have questions, we can help! We’re professionals that have more than 15 years of combined irrigation experience in Central Oregon. Call us at 541-362-1389 or visit us on the web at http://www.everistirrigation.com/.

For more information on Rain Bird’s smart controllers, accessories and technology, visit https://www.rainbird.com/.

Sources:
*http://wifi.rainbird.com/articles/how-does-automatic-seasonal-adjust-work/

Every year we get that early cold snap that has many people worried that their systems are going to break and spill water everywhere.  The temperatures dip into the 20's or 10's at night or you see your lawn covered in ice when you wake up. Here a couple of pre-winterizing techniques to keep your system for freezing.

• Step #1:  Do nothing.
  • The ground is a great insulator for your irrigation system.  While the air above is cold, the ground is nice and warm.  The ground will take a long time to freeze and this usually happens in late Winter when we never reach above freezing temperatures.
• Step #2: Adjust your start times
  • During the summer we water early due to potential evaporation issues and water window restrictions from your water district.  With colder temperatures it is recommended that you push your start times to later in the morning to minimize any freezing hazards (ie. frozen walkways and sidewalks).  
• Step #3: Cover exposed irrigation
  • Many homes have irrigation hose faucets or irrigation heads that are on risers to reach over the shrubbery or other obstacles.  These need to be covered or wrapped with an insulator of some sort to keep the cold air off of them.  Remember, they aren't buried in the ground.  
  • Drip is very resilient in withstanding the cold if it is on the surface because of how pliable the material is.  So Drip freezing for short periods typically doesn't cause much damage.
• Step #4: Make sure valve box are covered with lids
  • In order to keep the warm earth air in our boxes, we need to keep those lids on.  The worst thing you can do is open a valve box during the winter and release the warm air.  Insulation is also great. but only necessary in the backflow box (the big metal thingy in the ground).  Putting a layer of insulation on top of your backflow is all that should be needed assuming your box is completely buried (remember warm ground).  

Now you know what to do in the event that your system hasn't been winterized before your sprinklers have been shut down.