Repairs

We are experts in troubleshooting repairs. Several irrigation companies rely on us for difficult troubleshooting that they are not able to do. Our inventory includes the latest valve and ground fault locaters. It is not just having this equipment but knowing how to use it that sets us apart from other companies. The amount of time it takes us compared to other companies to complete repairs will save you money. You can be assured that your repairs will be done properly.

One of the major problems with sprinkler systems is the installation. Many companies have cut corners and used poor techniques. The biggest being wiring problems. Until the early 90's a company could use any type of wire for a system. We always run across telephone wire, thermostat wire and bell wire buried in the ground. Then to make matters worse they are spliced with common electrical tape or household electrical wire nuts. Below are some samples of this.

Here is a comparison of non-irrigation and irrigation wire. Even after a law was passed to use only approved direct burial irrigaion wire and splices a few unscrupulous companies still use non-standard wire and connectors or tape. A large roll of multi-strand irrigation wire will cost in the hundreds of dollars depending on the number of strands compared to twenty to fifty dollars for a roll of telephone wire at home depot. Direct burial silicon filled wire nuts cost around a dollar apiece compared to a few dollars for a box of fifty standard household wire nuts. This is one way some companies can offer such a cheap installation.

Please be aware! Most all cities do not inspect the installation of a sprinkler system. Only the backflow preventer installation is inspected as this is tied into the cities potable water. Most customers do not know the difference between a good installation and a bad one. They rely on the company to do the right thing. Our installation price is comparable to any good company. Please do not go cheap. As the old saying goes, pay now or pay later. Check references and look at installations.

Below are pictures of probably the biggest repair problem with a sprinkler system.

ROOTS

This may or may not be the fault of the installing irrigation company. I have seen companies put piping close to trees not taking in consideration the problems this will cause. There have been customers that have planted trees to close to piping also. This is the main reason we have gone to rotor zones where practical. You can keep the system away from trees as far as possible. This picture is a repair that we ended up rerouting the main around the tree. Cost of the repair was around $500. It took seven hours to complete. We have also found it necessary to completely redo a front yard due to the mainline and valves being totally engulfed by tree roots. To chop away all those roots would severely damage the tree. A tree the size of the one pictured here would cost in the thousands to replace.

This one is really a case of a company that shouldn't be in business. All I know is the homeowner said the tree was here first. I was told that a major irrigation company put the system in sixteen years ago. Most homeowners would trust the company to know what they are doing. I believe this is just a case of not caring.

They tied into the water line and ran the mainline straight for the tree. True the tree was only a few inches in caliper when the system was installed but they do grow. The main was then taken and split with a tee to go both ways before the tree. As the tree grew the roots took the main and a lateral line and pushed them up out of the ground about a foot before breaking the pipe.

Customers will call us to get an estimate on a repair. This is not possible as you can see by the above illustrations. Your system is under the ground. Unlike repairing a car that the factors are known, you don't know what you will find with a sprinkler system until it is dug up. We can certainly give you an idea with a lot of variables. Example would be a valve that doesn't work. If (and I stress IF) the location of the valve is known (meaning it doesn't have to be located with a valve locater); it is in a box and doesn't need to be dug out; it is a standard one inch valve; the problem is the valve and not the wiring; the cost would run under $100 including parts.

So many times the valve is not the problem but the wiring. The bad connection has to be located. Then many times when it is repaired the problem will surface again. This is due to the problems shown above with non standard wire. It will usually be cheaper in the long run to have your system rewired properly. The cost for that can run from $300 up depending on the number of valves and location. I have had customers have us fix the bad splicing only to call back later with another valve quitting due to a short. One customer had us come out three times until they finally decided to rewire. The rewire cost as much as the three service calls.

We will be more than happy to discuss any solutions before you commit. Please give us a call.