Sprinkler Main Line Repair Costs

Sprinkler Main Line Repair Costs can vary from situation to situation, but Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair Service, Columbia S.C. can service all your lawn sprinkler repair and maintenance needs.  One repair that needs immediate attention is a broken sprinkler line which is leaking water.  

First off, you’ll know you have a break in the sprinkler line if you’re experiencing a loss of water pressure, puddles and geysers in your yard, dead spots, or overly watered areas in the turf.  A break in the sprinkler line is probably not located in the precise spot where you’ll see water coming up through the ground.  So please leave digging to the professionals at Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair.

When you call Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair, a service tech will come out to assess the situation, explain to you what sprinkler line repairs are needed, and give you an estimate of the repair costs.  First the tech will have to dig and locate where the line break has occurred. Then the tech will likely have to dig the lawn around the area of the break to determine how much damage there is, what parts will be needed,  and approximately how long it will take to make the repair.  From here, the tech can calculate an estimate for you.  A quick, rough, online repair estimate can be obtained by emailing us at BusyBeeLawnCare@gmail.com, but a more accurate estimate will be given at the time of the service call. 

If your lawn sprinkler line breaks, and you find yourself in need of prompt, professional sprinkler repairs, call Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair at (803) 331-5323.  You can trust that your sprinkler repairs will be done right the first time because we know how important your lawn is to you!

Design Your Own Lawn Sprinkler System

     If you have made the choice to design your own lawn sprinkler system , you will need to make sure you have a good layout or design.  Your design should include a drawing of your lot, sprinkler head position locations, and a yard divided into zones. 

     If a survey of your property is available, that would be of great help.  Confirm its measurements by using a long tape measure.  Mark all major boundaries and any objects in the yard, including trees, shrubbery, walkways, walls, etc…Also show where windows are located to prevent sprayed water from entering them, especially those on lower levels.

     Make note of or mark the wettest and driest areas, as well as the shady and sunny spots.  When deciding which sides should have sprinklers alone the edge, keep in mind that not all edges need sprinklers because this could cause watering over your property line.  Use either triangular or square spacing when determining how many rows of sprinklers are needed.  Details for this step can be found by doing some research online.

     Now you will need to divide the yard into zones.  Detailed and more specific instructions for this step can be found online by simply researching how to divide a yard into zones for a sprinkler system.  If you’re not comfortable with tackling this step on your own, you can consult a plumber or sprinkler installation company.

     Your layout should be as detailed and accurate as possible when you design your own lawn sprinkler system.  A sprinkler system company or plumber can help you along the way if need be.  Once you have your design, and have checked over it, you are ready to begin the installation process!

Sprinkler System Zone Wont Shut Off

     Before you call a sprinkler system service company for a zone that will not shut off, troubleshoot the problem first.  This can be a frustrating issue when you see the zone or zones watering long after they should have shut off.  It could be something a simple as a programming error, but you could also find that a mechanical error like a stuck valve or wire malfunction is occurring.

     The first thing you can do is shut off the entire system at the control panel OR at the main backflow control valve OR at the system emergency shutoff valve which we can install for you.  Whether your controller’s setting says “OFF”, “RAIN”, or “RAIN OFF”, by switching to that setting, you will shut the system off electrically.  If the water stops running, the issue was in programming, and re-programming the water schedule could fix the problem.

     If water still continues to run, then this is an indication that the issue is mechanical in nature.  At this point, you will need to go to the water source to shut the system off.  The easiest way to locate the main water cut off is to find the backflow control valve, which is usually near the street with a green lid just at ground level.

     Now that you’ve concluded that the problem is mechanical, it is best to call an irrigation specialist who can find the problem and promptly repair it.  You do not want the system to continue running because this could only worsen the issue, as large amounts of water would be wasted, your lawn could literally drown, or it can create a hazard much like a burst water main pipe.

     Troubleshooting a sprinkler system zone that just doesn’t want to shut off is quite easy.  And although the problem itself could seem enormous, you can save yourself an emergency service call by troubleshooting the control panel first.  If you find that the issue is a mechanical one, shut off the main water source and call a sprinkler service company.

Backflow Control Valves

You can prevent contaminants from entering your water supply via your lawn sprinkler system by using backflow prevention devices or backflow control valves.  The installation of these devices is required by law in some areas.  Even if they are not a legal requirement, installing them is just good practice.
     The on/off valves alone are not sufficient for preventing backflow.  Over time, they can break or leak, allowing chemicals from the irrigation water to flow back into your water supply.  These chemicals can include pesticides, fertilizers, and/or animal waste.

     There are several types of backflow control valves.  Double check valve assemblies (DCVA) are the most common, and are used for inline underground sprinkler systems.  They are not approved for the prevention of backflow from irrigation systems containing hazardous substances.  They are acceptable for sprinkler systems that aren’t injected with chemicals.  Pressure valve breaker assemblies (PVBA) are the least expensive type of backflow control valve.  They are easy to install, repair, and maintain. PVBA’s do not protect water lines, only the assembly itself.  Commercial properties will use devices called reduced pressure zone assemblies.  They have the highest level of protection, and are also the most expensive.  If you have less than 6 control valves, atmospheric breakers are your best backflow prevention option.  They are inexpensive, and each control valve will need an AVB installed.

     You may also want to purchase accessories for your backflow control valves.  Filter attachments are available to filter sediment from the system.  Device enclosures are good for preventing theft and for heat insulation as a winterizing measure.  You can also find test kits and repair kits that are portable and come complete with all the needed fittings and gauges.

     Backflow control valves are a simple, inexpensive way to keep your family’s water supply safe from toxic or potentially hazardous chemicals.  The importance of these backflow control valves cannot be stressed enough, which is why some areas require them by law.  If you need one installed on your lawn sprinkler system or have one that needs repair or maintenance, give us a shout!