Repairing Broken Sprinkler Heads

You are Inspecting your yard and you have noticed that there are lots of broken sprinkler heads, especially at the edges of the lawn. If you have a lawn mowing service, your initial reaction might be to go after them as the culprit, but a little understanding of how yards develop and weather over time shows that this problem is the result of erosion, improperly installed irrigation, or a combination of both. 

When the landscaping contractor installed your sprinkler system, they set the depth of the heads according to the lay of the land at that particular time. The ground was likely softer and it settled.  The sod was likely more full and lush as it just came from the sod farm. The top of the rotary or pop up sprayhead where the nozzle sprays the water particles was likely covered in part by loose top soil. What happens over time, particularly on slopes, is the topsoil erodes away and it exposes the top of the sprinkler head, leaving it vulnerable for lawnmower blades and riding mower tires. Although your yard service could be a little more careful, it is often difficult to avoid broken sprinkler heads in the situation.   

If loss of topsoil in the lawn does not seem to be the explanation for broken sprinkler heads, another plausible explanation is that the sprinkler system installation was done improperly.  It is important to bury the PVC mains, the flex pipe tubing and the sprinkler heads to a certain depth.  The tops of the heads should typically lay just under the roots of the turf. 

In either circumstance, managing the situation could call for a combination of solutions.  One solution is to bring in a layer of more top soil. In addition, burying the sprinkler heads deeper in the ground could be necessary as well.  The end result should be that the top of the sprinkler head recedes deeper than the turf line down into the ground.  

For this and more tips on groundskeeping, Lawn Care and Sprinkler repair Columbia S.C. Lexington and Irmo, visit us online at http://www.BusyBeeLawnCare.com or give us a buzz at (803)331-5323

Outdoor Fireplace and Water Feature

What you need is a nice outdoor fireplace with a small pond feature and a waterfall or a simple water feature to peacefully enjoy the cool weather and extend your outdoor enjoyment with friends and family. Call Busy Bee at (803)331-5323 – we are the professionals! http://busybeelawncare.com/water_features.htm 

Start Sprinkler System By Bleeding Valves

Starting up your sprinkler system for the spring lawn watering season Should be done carefully and professionally Especially if your irrigation system was winterized and evacuated of all of the water in every zone.

A professional sprinkler repair service would first open the bleeder valve on each of the zones. This would require that you know where the irrigation valves are located.

Next, the Water main or the irrigation backflow control valve should be turned on slowly and carefully. Too much water pressure at one time where there is an abundance of air in the pipes can cause the pipes to rupture or the valves to break.

As the air escapes the sprinkler heads each zone should be turned off at the bleeder valve one at a time. The irrigation water main control valve can then be turned completely to the on position.

Doing a sprinkler system restart in the early spring can ensure that you get a jump on Properly maintaining your lawn. It also helps to identify if you have any problems with your system that May need to be scheduled by a professional sprinkler repair service.

Broken Sprinkler Head Repair

Broken Sprinkler Head Repair

http://www.busybeelawncare.com

Columbia Mom and Pop Business Now Official

Busy Bee Lawn Care & Sprinkler Repair is now officially a "Mom and Pop" business - Joy Brooks recently joined The Company Founder, Ashley Brooks in the role of managing this local landscape maintenance business.  Located just west of Columbia, S.C., Busy Bee has been professionally serving The Midlands with the finest in Lawn Mowing and Fertilization Service, Sprinkler system repair, light landscaping and groundskeeping since 2006. 

Joy Brooks complements the Busy Bee team with decades of management and leadership experience, impeccable communication and customer service industry expertise! She holds Masters in Health Administration received from Adams and Washington University, and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Columbia College. She served as the Director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC) Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Division for 6 years and as the Patient Relations Manager for Palmetto Health Richland for over 10 years. 

Both Ashley and Joy extend their gratitude and appreciation to the current customer base and network of other local business owners and individuals that have helped refer businesss and build the business to its current state.  Give them a Buzz sometime or keep up with Ash and Joy and the goings on of Busy Bee on The Facebook Fan Page or Twitter.   

Post Emergent kills weeds not grass

Do you have weeds in your grass and you're looking for a good solution to kill weeds in Lexington, Irmo or Columbia South Carolina?  Although the subject of weed control is very broad, I will attempt to address the question of what product to use at this time of year (summer) and what outcome to expect.  Weed controlling post emergent spray should be a part of your annual lawn weed control treatment plan.

Post emergent spray, not to be confused with PRE emergent (which we put down in granular form in the fall and in February) is a topical spray that when sprayed on many lawn weeds will yellow out and kill the weed to the root.  Some types of weeds like clover require 2 applications of post emergent.  As the name of the product implies, it is formulated to kill the weeds AFTER they have germinated as opposed to before they have germinated (pre emergent). 

Here is a centipede lawn that has been treated with post emergent, spray on application, 10 days after the chemical was applied.  Note ththat the weeds are yellowing out while the grass remains unaffected.

Post emergent is only one component of a comprehensive annual weed control program.  It should not be considered to be the "silver bullet", but, in my opinion, is one of the more effective spot treatments with nearly immediate results.  The timing of the application is critical - many post emergents should be applied well after the grass has come out of dormancy or it will affect the new, tender grass growth.

To apply this product, you basically just hook the hose-ready fitting on the bottle to your garden hose and apply as directed on the bottle.  Spray it on evenly and let it dry.  Be careful when using where there might be dogs or cats present as it can make them sick.  Don't get it in your pool.  Just use common sense, use enough to do the job, and that's it! 


 

Sprinkler System Control Panel Not Working

If you live in the Columbia S.C. or Lexington Area, you may wake up to find that your Sprinkler System Control Panel is Not Working this morning.  This is likely due to the lightning thunderstorms we had last night in our area.  Lightening can affect not only your irrigation controller, but also your wiring and your zone solenoids.

Some symptoms that your lawn irrigation timer is bad are as follows:

• Every zone you put the dial on turns the same zone on
• There is a red indicator light on at the top of the controller
• There doesn't appear to be any power to the panel
• The control panel is obviously damaged by lightening (blown off the wall, charred, yes this happens!)
• Some irrigation zone valves do not turn on

Landscape wiring related to your sprinkler system can also be affected by lightening or power surges.  These phenomenon affect the wiring sometimes by shorting the wires at the connection points.  To repair low voltage sprinkler wiring, you must first locate the fault with a wire tracer.  Another sure fire way to repair faulty sprinkler system wiring is to run new wire, digging it under the surface of the sod by using a trencher.

Irrigation systems have separate zones for the various parts of your lawn and flower beds.  These zones are controlled by valve solenoids that tell the valve to open and close.  If the solenoid has been affected by lightening, that zone will not open OR it will stay on. 

All diagnistics on lightening related irrigation problems should be addressed by a qualified technician working for a licensed sprinkler repair company.  Many years of experience can mean the difference between shoddy workmanship and an inordinately long repair process and a quick, efficient, quality repair job.

Lawn Fertilization Service Needs Differ

Often times where a customer is seeking a ”better" lawn fertilization service company there are similar complaints that I hear and the grass is often literally greener on the other side.  I think the #1 complaint is “they are feeding my weeds”.  Another one is the more general statement that “there have been no improvements in my grass”.  The question then is why can’t the more commonly known treatment services in Columbia, S.C. address these issues with every customer?  This question boils down to suitability where one service might be fine for one customer but not for another.  In addition, I believe the answer is that the more commercial treatment services in many cases:

·         Are not the correct fit for every customer’s lawn or every customer’s personality or style of communication.  Some accounts call for a more personalized, unique approach.

·         Have become “Price” driven in the minds of the customer and not quality driven.  The current market cost of service is roughly half of what it should cost for an effective long term program. 

·         They have a better marketing program than the actual physical service.  If they were to effectively go over the laundry list of items below it would result in less sales.

·         Are employing low paid, unskilled workers who do not take stock in the outcome.

·         Have caused the customer base in general to lower their expectations as to the definition of high quality service and outcome. 

·         Taken true personalization of service to you and your lawn out of the equation.  Timely, constructive, thoughtful consultations are needed (and that costs more money, which is a tough sale).

·         Fallen short in advising of the necessary, comprehensive regimen that is needed for any plant to grow.  It takes more than just a sprinkle of chemicals.

An effective lawn fertilization schedule and weed control treatment program should include the treatments that these companies provide, but equally as important, should advise of the need for proper lawn mowing service, a regular fall cleanup schedule, serious consideration to the type of grass that you are trying to maintain, core aeration, and a routine lawn sprinkler system watering regimen.

Fit, suitability and communication are other important fine points – Some yards are so personalized and unique that some treatments will work in some places, but not in others.  Take the slopey yard that is shady in some areas but sunny in others where the dog is allowed in the back yard but not the front for instance…here is an example of how anything short of the resident taking care of the yard on a highly personalized level would almost always be ineffective.  It is nearly impossible to delegate this out to any service other than a grounds keeper.  Suitability where one company’s cookie cutter approach works on the standard lawn but not on the more garden-like grounds is a consideration…does the service suit your unique needs?  Sometimes, retaining a service that will communicate with you on the level that you and your yard require should cost you more.  Sometimes, the company should refer you to another company that would fit your specific need better instead of accepting your business, knowing logically it will probably end up in failure…but hey, they’re not worried about it because you just signed a contract with them and you’re on the hook to pay them for the duration.

Maintaining a lawn properly requires attention to the plant as a living breathing organism.  Treatments do matter, but of equal importance are the intricacies of how the lawn is being mowed, how often, with what type of equipment and at what height.  Does your landscape maintenance service mulch mow or do they bag?  Often times, bagging the clippings is literally the same as taking a little of your lawn’s health away every time they mow.  It robs the ground of micronutrients and will eventually lead to the declination of the turf.  Bagging is necessary sometimes, especially when you are planning an event where it needs to “look” its best, but definitely not on every mowing.  Of equal importance is the height of mow, which should not be any more than 1/3 of the height of the grass.  This is a price driven item...most people here in South Carolina opt for bi-weekly service which often times causes that 1/3^rd cut rule to be broken.  To achieve the goal of optimal turf grass, you must consider whether to have your service done weekly or bi-weekly.  Refraining from cutting at all is also a consideration.  Here in South Carolina, we tend to have droughts for 5-7 week periods of time.  It is during those dry/hot times that your service should refrain from cutting in some cases.  This is another money driven item – if your service is being paid a flat monthly fee, then they are going to try to mow no matter what on a set schedule to “make their showing” and earn their keep.  This is often the case where the person doing the work is the owner of the company who’s income is directly affected.  Alternately, some companies employ hourly paid workers who are trained to “pass” on the mowing.  The company then does not charge for that particular day’s service.  The company owner’s income is affected by this non-mowing, but the worker’s pay is not as affected.  In the end, the goal is to look out for the grass as a living organism, not a commodity.

At about the time that everyone is putting their lawn mower away around October 15^th, it is actually time to switch gears and think about the fall cleanup schedule.  This applies to your yard if you have deciduous trees or pine trees, gumball trees, or any other tree that will lose its leaves or sticks in the fall.  All this debris coming down on the ground can wreak havoc on the root systems of the turf.  Instead of waiting until all the debris has fallen, it is best to have this fall cleanup on a regimen just like the mowing schedule. 

Some plants grow well in some places, but not so well in others.  The biggest problem I see is where people expect the chemicals to remedy situations where there is very little sunlight or too much shade.  This would call for a different type of grass altogether, not a different treatment service.  This is a tough pill to swallow for most people because its one of those situations where the building contractor threw down a general type of grass, often centipede or Bermuda, in an area that called for Zoysia.  Or in the case where initially, the type of grass they used was great because the trees were new and small, but over time the trees grew large and shaded out the ground below.  The hard and fast truth of the matter is that you would then need to either cut down the trees or rip up the sod and start with a new type of lawn.  No treatment in the world will do this.

Core aeration is another costly item that is needed to complete the circle.  This applies mostly to areas that have high traffic or the underlying topsoil area is thin.  It also applies if you use heavy riding mowers as opposed to push mowers which are light and don’t affect the compaction of the soil.  If your yard needs core aeration badly enough, you would be completely wasting your money if you were to treat it and expect a positive outcome.  Aeration is another extremely labor intensive item that has fallen victim to recessionary lowballing trends.  For the labor and equipment involved, an effective aeration service should be in the hundreds of dollars for the average yard.   

Do you have a sprinkler system?  If not, there’s a fly in the ointment.  Modern grasses require controlled irrigation on a set schedule unless it is raining for us.  If you want a positive outcome from your lawn fertilization service, it is absolutely necessary that you water your lawn regularly.  Not only regularly but effectively – is that water reaching the necessary root system depth?  If not, you need to saturate it more.  If you have sandy soil, you may need to water more often.  All of these things should be addressed on a professional level.  The end result of your watering in most cases should be that the dirt, to the touch, is ever so slightly moist and seldom let to dry out completely.  Its an art though!  At times, especially when fungus is a threat, you should let it dry out a bit more than usual. 

So, in defense of the more widely known treatment services out there, don’t hold it all against them if your yard doesn’t look any better.  Do consider, though, that they should be advising you on all levels (and charging you) and that you get what you pay for.  Comprehensive lawn care overall (unless you have some really intricate chemical balance issues) is done by companies that not only treat the yard but also do the physical maintenance on the yard. 

How to install a lawn sprinkler irrigation system

If you have a large enough yard to where it impractical to water the lawn with a traditional hose and portable sprinkler you may want to consider installing an automatic underground sprinkler system.  Sprinkler System Installation in Columbia S.C. includes many steps to take which are outlined below. Generally, these steps include:

Calling PUPS before you dig - especially when you are planning on running pvc pipes near utility junctions, you must call this free service (PUPS) to have them mark the area for gas lines, power lines, etc. Once you have called them, they will mark the site within 3 days or so of your order. Once marked, you will have a more clear idea of where and where not to install your pipes, valves, etc. One tip for locating your water meter is to look on the street curb for a blue marking. Sometimes there is a blue mark that lines up with where the main from the street runs.

Evaluating the areas in your yard that you want to be watered - Some yards have heavy slopes, which need to be taken into account in regards to the layout of the zone. If, for instance, you install a 4 head zone in a straight line going downhill, you will have problems with leak down issues. A better setup on this slope would be a side to side setup where all heads are pretty much at the same level. Another consideration specific to each yard is drip irrigation for the flower beds where careful planning is taken to isolate the beds as a unique zone rather than tapping into what was intended to be a lawn spraying zone. In short, every yard is different and the design of each yard should be unique, not cookie cutter.

Marking the ground where you want the heads installed - careful consideration should be given as to where to place a sprinkler head and exactly what kind of head to install in that spot. You should mark each spot with a flag. Once each zone head location has been planned, you should choose the type of head and decide what you want that head to do. Basically, you need to choose either a rotary head or a popup head. With each head, you then need to choose what type of nozzle to use. Nozzles vary in spray pattern, in gallons per minute output, in adjustability, and in spray angle.

Purchasing the appropriate parts and accurate amounts of piping - This comes with experience in regards to commercial sprinkler repair and installation. The advantage that the contractor has in this regard is #1 it saves time (which is money) if they can go by feel and #2 the contractor gets a discount on the parts. In the case of the do it yourselfer, there is a very good solution though...draw up a general plan of your yard to scale, get a GPM reading of the water main output, then mail that information to your favorite sprinkler parts provider (like Rain Bird). Manufacturers will often professionally draw up a parts list and a blueprint for you to use. You would then take that parts list to your favorite hardware store and begin purchasing. Again, keep in mind that you are paying retail for those irrigation parts where the contractor is buying at a discount (that can be passed on to you at least in part).

Choosing a water main tap-in spot - this is often a deciding factor for do it yourselfers as to whether they will proceed with the installation on their own. Basically, you need to install a "tee" in your water main line that leads to #1 a shutoff ball valve and #2 a backflow control valve (then on to supply the sprinkler system zone valves). Where you decide to tap in is up to you, but optimally it should be at the largest diameter pvc spot and close to the water meter. If you are faced with tapping into a galvanized water main pipe as opposed to the more simple pvc (modern) pipe, then you may want to consider either having a plumber come in and tap in OR tap in in an alternate spot. This is another task that you may want to have a professional do for you.

The items mentioned here are only a few of the many steps you eed to take when considering how to install a lawn sprinkler irrigation system. If you are the do it yourseler type and you are trying to save some money, you may want to call on a paid consultant to at least help you get started and make the initial recommendations such as layout, water main tap-in, water pressure issues, parts needed, where to get the right parts, etc. Either way, you should be careful for your safety, you should consider the environment, and you should practice only the best standard methods in plumbing.

Could The Columbia, S.C. “Famously hot” Slogan be Hurting the Local Economy?

Could The Columbia, S.C. “Famously hot” Slogan be Hurting the Local Economy?
By: Mr. Ashley Brooks, Busy Bee Lawn Care & Sprinkler Repair

Columbia has been described as oppressively hot, stifling, sweltering, muggy, sultry, and just plain hot.  Yes, Columbia South Carolina is the armpit of the South; it’s quite difficult to be productive outside as it is…so why did the powers that be vote for the current “Famously Hot” slogan?  This moniker is not only stifling to the economy  as an end result, but along the way it is making for bad morale, management problems; it offends would be vacationers…why would anyone want to stay here if the negative impression that they already have of Columbia is verified with this slogan?  We’re still trying to live down the whole “armpit of The South” thing!  I believe that dealing with the heat is a mindset and that if we do not think about it, have to think about it or be perpetually reminded of it we can be more productive and make it through the day without it being such a bain to our existence.  As a blue collar business owner here in The Midlands, among The Midlands’ hundreds of companies who make their living out in the “non air conditioned” world, I for one vote we change this slogan to help our economy and to improve morale overall.

Complaining about the heat (as I, having been sucked into the media spin of it all myself, have caught myself doing, albeit jokingly, and just recently discovered the inherent problems therein) creates several problems and translates into a loss of revenue from the top down.  I think we all can grasp the idea that if, in the minds of our peers and co-workers, the heat condition is perpetually portrayed in such a negative way, then production is going to decrease, revenue is going to continue to decrease, and we’re going to end up as a purely consumerist society where no one actually produces anything tangible be it labor with an outcome,  a valuable product or a worthwhile service.  Production verifiably decreases either outwardly, psychologically, or from peer to peer and ultimately take away motivation and drive.  That throttling back of production of our extremely crucial blue collar industry (which is the backbone of Columbia’s economy) in this, our only productive 8 months out of the year (the other 4 plus are spent either preparing for a holiday, enjoying the holiday, or flat doing nothing productive at all), will trickle down negatively throughout our entire economy from the guy who mows your yard to the guy who sells you an insurance policy; everyone is affected.  If the blue collar workers are no longer inclined to “just do it” or “acclimate” to the condition because the media has stifled their enthusiasm and appreciation of gainful employment, then their purchasing power will decrease as a result of lack of income or future income increases, the seller of the goods that they purchase will suffer due to the reduction of revenue, the building owner who rents the seller’s store to him would suffer, the tax system that we are born into and will die paying towards that supports our infrastructure will suffer, and on and on.  Do slogan voters understand that perception can affect the economy? 

We’re not getting any hotter, it’s the same as it has always been.  Hurricanes are not getting more prevalent, El Nino is here one year and gone the next (it’s a cycle, we know this!), and the polar bears in Alaska are not dying as a result of anything short of God’s Will and the natural progression of the environment.

Tangent?  Who cares!  Its my blog get over it =)

For information sake, maybe it would help the cause somehow to mention that there exist several ways of dealing with the heat that those who are native to our fine City may or may not be familiar with.  One way to beat the heat is by wearing a wide brimmed hat.  Ironically, a company named Columbia Sportswear, makes such a hat which not only keeps the blazing sun from frying your ears and crown, but also seemingly brings the temperature down and shades your eyes.  This hat alone buys you 20% more up time in the heat and glare (20% more up time for you means 20% more up time for your employer and 20% more uptime with the economy down from there).  Some people may not consider such a garment to be the most “hip” thing in the world to wear but hey, we’re talking about survival here, not a fashion show.  Another vulnerable body part that has to be protected lest you develop melanoma in your golden years is your forearms.  Under Armor, Nike, etc make a long sleeve, lycra/spandex shirt that will cover your arms and shoulders to the equivalent of over 100 spf I’m sure, wick away moisture from you or retain moisture if you like (wet it with a hose!) to cool you, while not weighing but a couple of ounces and not weighing you down like cotton.  The shirt buys you another significant percentage of up time.  And finally, the 2 golden rules that we all hear which are so true: Hydrate and take a breather, either of which equate to a happier, healthier, more productive day for everybody.

So why would anyone want to come to Columbia with that sort of slogan hanging over our heads?  We work so hard to tout our Vista Nightlife, good times at Lake Murray, the great residential developments like Lake Carolina, Forest Acres, Lexington…but we have this slogan that reminds the world how oppressively hot we are?  If the word “hot” in the slogan was perceived as “trendy” then that would be a slightly different matter but it isn’t…hot is hot, as in temperature and its having an effect on our pocketbooks where travelers and vacationers are concerned.  Think it is not affecting our coastal neighbors?  Think again…Myrtle Beach isn’t exactly flourishing right now.

So being that it is not my nature to present a problem without some sort of solution, I have some suggestions for a new slogan that the powers that be should consider.  How about “The heart of those Smiling Faces Beautiful Places” or “A Great Place to work and Raise a Family”?  If our target market is Vista Goers how about let’s call a spade a spade and just say “The Vista from here is Great!”? 

So tomorrow, like every day, the media will persist with their proclamation of “record highs” and, while in their air conditioning, joke about the oppressive condition of it all and we’ll all, ever so subliminally remember those statements and wonder why we’re having increasingly miserable summers.  When did these “records” begin anyway?  Did they start this temperature record keeping perhaps as far back as the late 1800’s?  Maybe?  Folks 100 or 200 years of “records” is not even a drop in the bucket where the timeline of humanity is concerned.  We’re not heading into a hellish 120 degree every single day summer, we’re not on the brink of Armageddon, we’re not getting away from the fact that The Summers in Columbia are The Summers in Columbia, and we as human know-it-alls don’t know jack about meteorology or where this is all going in the grand scheme of things.  What we do know is that we have a negative slogan that needs to be changed.  It’s just my 2 cents…don’t hate the pot stirrer here…maybe something productive will come out of my rant for the betterment of the community.  In the meantime, I’m going to keep on smiling, keep my head down, and try my best every day to be one of the driving forces of our economy even if it’s in a relatively small way.