Denver, CO (Vocus) 30 September 2010

This is a professional landscape contractor date Reffell John, III, owner of JLS Landscape & Sprinkler, Inc., remembers well. Last year on 10 October temperatures at night fell to 16 degrees.

â? The freeze beginning unprepared many owners and caused significant damage in Denver for sprinkler systems, which were not protected for the winter, or â? Reffell said Associate Member of Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC).

systems that were not closed, this leak does not appear until the temperature rose above freezing and noted some owners do not realize their sprinkler systems were damaged, they begin watering their yards in the spring. Itâ? S when they check valves to prevent â? the brass valve on the exterior of a house? began in spring water.


No garaging

a sprinkler system can be expensive

After Reffell are backflow preventer (BFP) to replace one of the most expensive components of a sprinkler system.

â? can not perform properly on your sprinkler system shock, the BFP to replace the 0-0, a run? Reffell said. But frost damage potential is not all.

â? A strong and persistent frost can damage costly components such as mains, valves and automatic distribution, slightly increase the cost of service, 200 or more, â? he added.


Take immediate steps


So, while October to May bring Indian summer days and warm nights, itâ? Is also the best time to close the sprinkler systems. CLCA advises owners to take steps for the winter irrigation systems:

Before your system is protected in winter by wrapping the BFP in three fifty-seven inch insulation (building insulation works well), cover with plastic wrap and duct tape. The extra insulation will help protect against 22-32 degree nights and the plastic protects the moisture can freeze.
Make your system for the winter by blowing lines have used with a compressor from a qualified professional landscape. Average cost for the winter of a housing system can each – 0, but more or less expensive depending on the size of the system.

do-it-yourself to their systems with a standard shop compressor blow, but after Reffell, there are advantages to hiring a professional landscape.

â? Shop compressors usually produce only about 15 cubic meters per minute (CFM) volume compared compressors of professionals who produce 150 cfm. The difference is, a professional can work completely blow a system in about 15 minutes from two to three hours to take a small compressor and larger compressors to everything, do to water.â blow?

Other advantages of the use of a Pro

After ALCC Fall is also a great time with other problems with your sprinkler system to be identified. A professional can perform a test of sprinklers for leaks, burst pipes or sprinkler heads bad, these problems now, or make a list of problems so that they can be resolved in the spring.


Last

recommends Reffell with a company, the landscape of the industry employs certified technicians to your winter irrigation system. â? ALCC offers a certification program for technicians landscape, the 10 hours of testing and at least 2,000 hours of experience, before necessary. This program offers the industry landscape has highly qualified professionals to make sprinkler systems and maintenance, training? Reffell said.

Prevention

As the frost in early October 2009, we remind you to act now to get your sprinkler system ready for winter. You can now receive a pro or pay for winter system of 0 or more to repair a broken system to pay for next spring.

â? It seems like a small step, but Dona? Does winter make your sprinkler system easily, â? Reffell said. â? AI? Have seen, houses, thousands of dollars to have suffered damage from a broken back in the river water seeped basement.â?

About ALCC

With over 700 members in the state, the related Landscape Contractors of Colorado, the first trade association for Colorado? S Landscape Contractors. ALCC has over 40 years at the helm helps the industrial landscape of Colorado address? S unique climate and promoting responsible use of water and other natural resources. Free weekly lawn and garden tips, visit www.alcc.com and click Tip of the week.

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