Seasonal tip from ALCC- How to get your sprinkler system ready for winter.

Seasonal tip from ALCC- How to get your sprinkler system ready for winter.

A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Winterizing most sprinkler systems is in the $100 range or less and goes a long way in helping you avoid costly water damage and repairs. Repairs caused when your sprinkler system freezes can be many times that amount. Plus, depending on what freezes, you may be looking at water damage to your property.


So when you think about putting your landscape to bed for the winter, the sprinkler system needs to be high on your priority list. Each year, many Colorado homeowners have serious water damage when the sprinkler system left in summer-mode freezes in November or December. This headache is followed by expensive repairs to the sprinkler system itself that could have been avoided by taking some precautions.


Instructions for getting your sprinkler system ready for winter


Wrap the backflow prevention (BFP) device located outside to keep it from freezing before your system is fully winterized. If temperatures get into the freezing range, wrap the BFP with and old towel, cover it with a plastic trash bag and tape it in place. This keeps the device dry and helps to prevent freeze damage prior to the winterization.


Shut off the water to the sprinkler system. There's usually a shut-off valve inside the house in the basement.


Drain the system using the valve that's inside your house - usually in the basement.
Look at the valve shut-off and know what kind of valve you have:


Ball valve. This type of valve is more reliable in terms of freeze damage.


Gate valve. This valve is very common in Colorado and can often be defective even when the valve looks like it's turned off. When the small washer inside wears out, water will slowly drip and accumulate to the point where if there is a freeze, the part can burst and lead to serious water damage. Have an expert check out this valve.


Draining the system is not enough. Some people think that draining their sprinkler system is all they need to do. But even when you drain the system, water often stays in the pipes and even in the sprinkler heads. When that water freezes, much of your sprinkler system can end up damaged and needing expensive repairs. That's why it's best to play it safe and get your sprinkler system winterized before freezing-cold weather sets in.


Use the right size air compressor. Winterizing is done with an air compressor-and because of the equipment, usually requires the help of a landscape contractor. Many homeowners have small-sized compressors in their garages (for paint guns, nail guns, and so forth), but generally, these compressors don't have the capacity to create the volume of air required to push the water out of a sprinkler system.


Technically speaking, the rating of pounds per square inch (psi) does not determine the compressor size you need (common misconception). What you really need to determine if a compressor is strong enough to be effective is the measurement of cubic feet per minute (cfm) which is a measure not of pressure-but of volume.


To be adequate on a residential property, a compressor needs to be in the range of 100-500 cfm. The psi should be no more than 80 psi or the heat generated could melt the fittings. Before you let you neighbor offer you the good-buddy special to winterize your sprinkler system, check out the size of the compressor because a small compressor may not be up to the task.


Once you have the right size compressor, the final step is to hook it up to the sprinkler system. The compressor will be used zone-by-zone to push air from the compressor into the sprinkler lines which will in turn push water out of the pipes and out of the sprinkler heads. Getting all the water out takes 1 to 3 minutes per zone. This is the best way to make sure your sprinkler system has no water in it that can freeze, create damage and lead to costly repairs.



This article is republished off the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado ( http://www.alcc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64:seasonal-tips&catid=9:resources&Itemid=58)

A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC - Landscape Maintenance Firm servicing both commercial and residential properties.

A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC - Landscape Maintenance Firm servicing both commercial and residential properties.

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

"A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC provides Commercial Landscape Maintenance Contracts throughout the Denver Metro Area. Submit a Request for Proposal Today."

A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC is a full service landscape maintenance firm which provides landscape management in the way of commercial landscape maintenance contracts & residential landscape maintenance contracts. These contracts vary depending on the property and owner. Weekly lawn mowing, sprinkler system repair, garden bed maintenance & hand weeding, shrub pruning, light tree pruning, fertilization, aeration, sprinkler winterizations and lawn & garden cleanup are a few of the services we offer and include in our contracts. We also charge time & materials for customers as needed. Call and schedule a sprinkler blowout now.

"This residence was a zero tolerance snow removal job to allow a nurse daily access in Lakewood foothills after an five (5) inch snow storm."

Snow removal is available to both commercial properties & homes throughout the Denver area (Some areas are not serviced. Additional trip charges may be required if service is deemed available.) Snow plowing, snow shoveling and ice melt application (*materials extra) are still available this 2009-2010 snow season. Call today and setup a snow consultation. A contract will be available to reserve A Better Garden Maintenances, LLC services for the snow removal season.

"This Brick Paver Patio was an addition to a full landscape construction renovation project of a new garden maintenance customer in Arvada, CO."

Landscape Construction & Garden Enhancements are also available. This includes retaining walls, new cedar fences, paver patios & pathways, shrub & tree planting, lawn sprinkler system installation, soil ammendment, grading, sod laying, grass seeding, rock and wood mulch installation. We also perform repair services, such as sprinkler system repair & paver pathway and patio repair, with all services (sprinkler installation, paver patio installation, etc.) we provide.

Let A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC help you however it fits into your need’s in pursuit of A Better Garden.

Rain Smart Technology - Update your controller and have options.

Technology - Update your controller and have options.

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

It is amazing to see the progression of the green industry in Colorado. Ten years ago we had just started installing user friendly controllers with rain sensor shutoffs for lawn sprinkler systems. In 2009 we now have irrigation controllers which can have soil moisture sensors, internet connections to your own computer and even soil salt content sensors. We even have controllers based off evapotranspiration (ET Controllers) specific to the immediate area based on a variety of factors and soil conditions.





Whether you just need a basic controller to turn on your denver lawn sprinkler or want a complete computer based irrigation system for Greenwood Village estate, we can help. A Better Garden is here to provide any sprinkler repair service and renovation across the Denver Metro Area. Here at a Better Garden we also provide basic maintenance in dealing with sprinkler shut offs / sprinkler blowouts /sprinkler winterizations and other irrigation repairs.

Installing a Lawn Sprinkler System - Always choose a qualified contractor

Installing a Lawn Sprinkler System - Always choose a qualified contractor

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Delivering water to a garden or lawn turf area seems like it would be a simple matter. Yet the installation and maintenance of a lawn sprinkler system requires a license and permit in some municipalities. The water which is supplied to the lawn being mown is connected to a public drinking water supply. This supply is mandated to be protected by city and state regulations. Water drop due to a connection by firemen to a local fire hydrant would cause a backflow of water to the system main line and potential health problems without the regulations. Besides the safety issues, there are items to be addressed for your personal residence to ensure you have a proper & effective lawn sprinkler system.



Sprinkler system designs are based on available water. Both pressure and volume influence the requirements of a lawn sprinkler sysem. Most municipalities require a backflow prevention device. Sprinkler heads are utilized depending on space and design requirements. Minimal systems can be installed at cheaper rates, yet a system should be installed to meet the specifications of the area being irrigated. To remain fully pressurized and functional, each zone should not exceed the maximum amount of water at a given pressure which is available at you point of connection.



Residential systems are usually installed by mean of an indoor tap off the main water supply. The tap off the water supply is usually isolated by use of an indoor ball valve which has a drain towards the backflow device. Gate valves are no longer used as they have a tendency to leak as the rubber gasket deteriorates over time. Ball valves are useful to shutoff the sprinkler system during the cold Colorado months. These valves feed into a backflow prevention device (usually RPA or PVB) which protects families and municipalities from contamination of pesticides and other chemicals in the lawn & garden.



Some systems require the use of a stop-n-waste valve connected between your water meter and the connection of your house. This can be beneficial if it allows a higher pressure or larger volume of water to be allotted to your lawn sprinkler system. The backflow prevention device must be utilized after the stop-n-waste valve as it is a point source for contamination.



All lawn sprinkler systems contain a mainline or in most residential situations a manifold. This is the water line which is constantly under pressure to supply the lawn sprinkler sytem. Zones, or isolated areas to be watered are supplied off this via an electric control valve. Each valve is controlled by an irrigation controller which can be installed indoors, in the garage, in a shed or outside if the component is manufactured for such use. The standard is that a similar grouping of sprinkler heads are included on a single zone.



Most zones are planned for a residential lawn sprinkler system to have a water flow of 10-12 gpm at an acceptable pressure. This allows for approximately 3-5 rotar pop-up heads and 4-7 stationary pop-up heads. The number of drip emitters availble are calculated by the total gallons per hour divided by the gallons per hour of the drip emitter being utilized. With drip systems the key is to realize what type of drip you are using (spray or emitters) and separate them. Also it is important to keep the annuals on a separate system as they usually require more water.



Remember a quality system shouldnt need replaced for at least 15 years. They will need to be maintained. This should include a yearly spring start up, periodic adjustment (heads, controller, etc), sprinkler repair as necessary, and in Colorado a winter shutdown. Contact us today if you wish to get an estimate to have a new lawn sprinkler system installed or if you need a qualified technician to service youre existing system.

Commercial Landscpae Maintenance Contracts

Commercial Landscpae Maintenance Contracts

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Now is the time to get everything in order for the upcoming landscaping and gardening season.

Below is listed a usual Request For Proposal (RFP) for a standard commercial landscape maintenance contract. This is a standard service schedule for Apartment Complexes, Class A Business Parks, Commercial Retail Sites, and Warehouses & Businesses.


A typical service schedule for a commercial landscape maintenance contract is listed below.

-Mow, Trim, Blow (26 times) - April-October
-Edging (7 times) - April-October
-Debris Removal (26 times) - April-October
-Hand Weeding - weeds over 3" in height(26 times) - April-October
-Round-up Spray (7 times) - April-October
-Pre-emergent Spray (1 time) - March-April
-Spring Clean-up (1 time) - April
-Fall Clean-up (1 time) - November
-Irrigation Start-up (1 time) - April
-Irrigation Checks (Varies) - April-October
-Irrigation Shut-down (1 time) - October
-Fertilization (3 times) - April, July, August
-Broadleaf (2 times) - April, September
-Aesthetic Pruning (2 times) - June, August

This is a full service schedule but can be adjusted to fit your landscaping needs.
Our trained Horticulturist's will listen to you to service your lawn & garden in the best possible way.

Serving the Denver, Littleton, Morrison, Golden, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Ken Caryl, Lakewood, Green Mountain, Cherry Hills Village, Arvada, Bow Mar, Centennial, Columbine Valley, Highlands Ranch, Glendale, Lone Tree, Washington Park and Cherry Creek areas.