Irrigation Installation and Maintenance
Ecoyards offers full service design, installation and maintenance of water-efficient sprinkler and drip irrigation systems. Irrigation is one of the most important things you can do to protect the investment that you have in your landscape, lawn and planting beds. We want to keep your landscape looking its best, while helping you conserve water.
Please contact us today to setup a free consultation. Our certified irrigation professionals will evaluate your property and review your preferences to create an efficient irrigation plan for your property.
Automatic Weather-Based “Smart” Systems
Automatic sprinkler and drip based systems are the most popular method of irrigating residential lawns and landscapes. These systems deliver water through underground piping to sprinklers and drip lines that are arranged in various zones throughout the property. Water is released to each zone through valves that are connected to a programmable timer. The timer controls run times, watering schedules, and rain delays.
Weather sensor for smart irrigation controller installed by Ecoyards in Seattle.
Our efficient watering systems utilize smart irrigation technology, which can reduce water use by 50% or more. These sophisticated sprinkler systems know not only when to shut off the sprinklers when it rains, but also when to restart for precisely the right amount of time based on recent rainfall amounts, while factoring in everything from soil type, plant type, to the slope of your lawn to the amount of sun exposure different areas receive. The newer WIFI-based timers log into local weather stations to adjust run times as needed based on local weather summaries and forecasts. WIFI timers also allow you to use and monitor the system using your smart phone, tablet, or computer.
The city of Seattle offers many rebates to homeowners inside and outside of the house through the Saving Water Partnership, including rebates for rain sensors, smart controllers, drip irrigation, sprinkler heads and more. Click here to read about an irrigation project we completed in North Seattle using the latest in smart irrigation technology, which qualified the homeowner for a nice rebate from Seattle Public Utilities.
Drip and Micro-irrigation
Drip systems and micro-irrigation apply water slowly and directly to a plant’s root zone. Properly installed drip systems reduce soil erosion, water use, fertilizer and pesticide runoff and water loss due to evaporation, and decreases diseases such as powdery mildew. Our custom irrigation systems commonly include tradition sprinkler heads for lawn areas and drip irrigation systems for watering plant beds, containers, and vegetable gardens.
Irrigation Maintenance
Timely service and maintenance of your irrigation system will add to its longevity and ensure efficient use of irrigation water. Our maintenance plans generally include the following services:
Spring Start-Up (March, April, May)
- Open shut-off valves and slowly fill the mains
- Check the lines for leaks and damage
- Check individual zones and adjust heads and emitters for proper operation and coverage
- Inspect and adjust rain sensor for proper operation
- Reset the control timer for Spring settings
Summer Inspections (June, July, August)
- Adjust settings based on the changes in shrub growth or varying weather conditions
- Inspect system for leaks
- Check individual zones and adjust heads and emitters for proper operation and coverage
- Inspect rain sensor for proper operation
Winterization (October, November, December)
- Close down water sources to the irrigation system
- Drain valves and plugs will be opened
- Main lines, valves, lateral lines and heads will be flushed with air to remove standing water
- Control timers will be adjusted for winter settings
Sprinkler Repairs, Troubleshooting and Upgrades
Our irrigation specialists are fully equipped with stocked service trucks and the latest technology and equipment to quickly troubleshoot and repair any problem. Examples of these irrigation repair and upgrade services include the following:
- Repairing broken pipes, pipe fittings, and broken wires
- Replacing broken sprinkler heads, control valves, controllers, and failed back-flow prevention devices
- Locating broken wires, lost sprinkler valves, lost valve boxes, and difficult-to-find leaks
- Adding new zones and sprinkler heads to existing sprinkler systems
- Re-designing, adjusting, and upgrading existing sprinkler systems to reduce water use using the latest in Smart irrigation technology and equipment.
- Converting existing pop-up sprinkler zones to drip irrigation.
- Replacing outdated timers with new weather-based smart controller.
For more information and tips on efficient irrigation techniques, be sure to read through our blog post category related to irrigation services.
