What are my water source options?
JEA offers all customers the ability to water their lawn without incurring sewage cost. But by adding a second water meter(irrigation meter) roadside, on your property, you can save as much as 65% on your water bill. There are two sizes recommended for residential properties in the Jacksonville area. The 3/4" meter is preferred in the majority of all installs. The cost is $1,151.83. The next size meter is 1",which delivers a slightly larger volume of water than the 3/4". The reason the 3/4" is usually recommended is that it carries a lower monthly fee regardless of usage. The 1" meter is typically used only in extremely larger yards or in neighborhoods with abnormally lower pressure.
Pro: Irrigation meters are a reliable maintenance free water source which provide a high volume of clean, rust free, and sand free water to the irrigation system.
Con: The meter is a monthly bill, which in most cases can run $20-35 a month.
The second option is the shallow well. While common, it is not used as frequently as the irrigation meter. These wells are typically 40-75 feet deep and usually offers, although less than the irrigation meter, a sufficient volume of water for the average sized lawn.
How long does it typically take to install a system?
The system will be completed in one day, unless specified differently at time of proposal.
How often should I water?
This varies from yard to yard due to changing factors such as: shade, soil type, slope, plant material, different turfs and different expectations for the look of your lawn (i.e.... wanting to keep your yard alive or wanting to be the perennial yard of the month recipient). This is why a blanket statement by a scientist such as in the JEA commercial that tells you that your yard will survive perfectly with 2 waterings per week is absurd. (January 1, 2006 Florida will mandate a two time a week watering). In my opinion I have found that in 100 degree weather and severe drought conditions 2 times a week on a St. Augustine lawn without shad will not suffice. I believe the proper schedule goes as follows: one time per week during the Winter (cooler temps), two times per week in Fall, Spring and Summer times supplemented by rain, and three times per week in 90 to 100 degree temps in the summer without rain. Once your new grass has established a decent root system, remember giving your sod time off to get deeper roots helps to build stronger sod but every yard is different so keep a close eye on your grass, it will tell you whether it needs more water or not.
Do I have to winterize my system in Jacksonville?
Not really, the states to our North typically have to blow the water out of their pipes with a compressor and drain their entire system. The ground in Florida provides enough warmth that piping will never reach freezing. However exposed pipes such as a backflow preventer must be insulated and in extreme cold it does not hurt to throw a blanket over it for an extra precaution. Hose bibs also are susceptible and should be left running, with a slight running of the water. Risers, which are the spray painted sprinkler pipes usually found in flower beds do not need insulating.
Pumps do need to be covered thoroughly and turning the power off and draining them is good advice although not necessary if proper covering is applied.
Why won't my system come on?
The most common reason is the rain gauge has disabled the system and it will take a few days until the gauge has dried out until schedule will resume. Another reason would be that the power has somehow been disrupted to the controller.
The most common is the GFI connected to the series of plugs, which the controller is plugged into has tripped. This can be simply corrected by finding a GFI plug (plug with black and red in the middle) and pushing button back in and power will resume.
A fuse has blown - the most common controller on the market is the Rainbird ESP_TM.
The last reason is the transformer has gone out leaving controller with improper voltage. Contact the office in this case and we can very easily replace this component.
Water source has been disrupted.
Why is it important for an Off Season Tune UP?
The average sprinkler system is composed of 40-55 heads. Many times, over a period of time, the new healthy thickening of turf and shrubbery can cause heads to be rendered less effective then upon installation. As you have probably noticed, when it is getting closer to the next mowing time, that many of the spray heads are getting blocked or others are not popping up high enough. Every head that is to low will be dug up and raised to a proper level, by our tune up crew. This is a great value, for as in many yards there are 15 - 20 heads that may need to be raised. This is a labor intensive project which would show astonishing results. Along with the raising of rotary heads, spray risers, in landscaped areas, will also be raised if shrubs have outgrown since installation. Also, if homeowners are present, while work is being done, we would be glad to give a tutorial on adjustment of spays and rotors.
