Smart Controllers

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Rainscapes Admin

Proper watering is a simple step, but it is one of the most important things you can do to keep your lawn healthy.

For those of you that already have an irrigation system in place, you may be able to upgrade your current system with a smart controller. Some new components are designed as easy add-ons to existing systems. Smart controllers maximize water efficiency by factoring in everything from soil type to the slope of your lawn to the amount of sun exposure different areas receive. All of these details are calculated for every zone of your automatic sprinkler system to help you maintain a lush, healthy lawn and landscape.

The new generation of “smart” irrigation controllers monitor things like weather; soil conditions; evaporation and plant water use; and automatically adjust your watering schedule. Smart controllers use weather and / or site data to determine when and how long to water. Then, sprinklers apply just enough water at exactly the right time in each zone of your yard.

Simply input a few key specifics, such as your zip code, allowed watering days and the plant/soil type for each zone and the smart controller does the rest. Your irrigation system waters only when the landscape requires it, plus you save 30 to 70 percent in water.

This innovative system is engineered to save valuable time, money and water. Some experts even say that a healthy lawn can raise your home’s value by as much as 14 percent.

For the most professional, best-qualified irrigation service in East Tennessee, call Rainscapes’ friendly staff at (865) 981-4270 to schedule an appointment.

Regards, Clint

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The Importance of Outdoor Lighting

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Rainscapes Admin

Although it is nice to enjoy the sunrise on your way to work in the morning, coming home from work can be problematic when arriving home to a house surrounded in darkness. One way to increase the safety and aesthetics around your home is to install outdoor lighting.

Outdoor lighting around the home can enhance safety and security and accent the unique features of a home or landscape which adds tremendous value to a property.

There are two types of outdoor lighting: low voltage and high voltage. Low voltage is the most popular for residential installations due to safety issues and ease of installation.

A popular way to make outdoor lighting environmentally friendly is to use LED lights. These lights provide a bright light while using a fraction of the electricity and providing a bulb life that lasts approximately 10 times as long than a standard bulb.

Homeowners also can save more time and money by having a professional install outdoor lighting as opposed to doing it themselves. Self-installing lighting can leave room for errors that can cause shorts, electrical fires, electrocution and more.

Professionals take into account wattage, voltage drop, cable sizes, fixtures and bulb selection in addition to how the landscape will change through time. Professionals also are experienced in installation techniques which can ensure a system will be installed safely and correctly the first time.

The typical lighting system can be installed in one to two days. Basic professional grade systems start around $1,500 with the average job being $3,500. Also, there’s no need for a homeowner to be stuck at home all day while the outdoor lighting installation occurs since all of the work can be handled without the need for access to the interior of the home or homeowners.

Rainscapes provides design, installation and service for new and existing lighting systems. For more information on outdoor lighting and Rainscapes’ services, please visit www.rainscapes.com or call (865) 981-4270 to schedule an appointment.

Regards,

Clint

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All about winterization

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Rainscapes Admin

Did you know that by winterizing your irrigation system professionally you will avoid bursting pipes and expensive repairs?  Proper winterization is critical for residential and commercial irrigation systems.

The winterization process includes fully flushing and removing water from the irrigation system prior to the season’s first freeze. Residual water in an irrigation system can lead to pipes freezing / bursting and a potentially costly repair job.

Many homeowners overlook the importance of winterizing their lawns. They often do not realize that by not prepping and winterizing their lawns they are allowing weeds to germinate and get a head start on the next season.

Our team offers the following tips to help homeowners get their lawns ready for winter:

  • Overseed during the fall season, so new seedlings have a chance to grow and mature before the heat of summer.
  • Start treatments of pre‐emergent herbicides before crabgrass and other broad leaf weeds start to grow.
  • For warm season turfs (Bermuda, Zoyisa, etc.), fall is a good time to kill unwanted intruder grasses and weeds.
  • Mulch trees and shrubs in the fall to help prevent cold weather damage.
  • Winter is a good time to prune most trees and shrubs.
  • And, winterize your sprinkler system!

Irrigation systems should be shut down before freezing water has a chance to cause harm. Winterizing a system is normally less than $100, which is significantly cheaper than replacing damaged equipment from bursting pipes that have not been winterized.

For the most professional, best-qualified irrigation service in East Tennessee, call Rainscapes’ friendly staff at (865) 981-4270 to schedule an appointment.

Regards,

Clint

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2011 Knoxville Home Design & Remodeling Show

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Rainscapes Admin

If you like to attend home improvement shows, be sure to check out the one happening in Knoxville this weekend. The 2011 Knoxville Home Design & Remodeling Show will take place Friday, Sept. 23 – Sunday, Sept. 25 at the Knoxville Expo Center (5441 Clinton Highway).

Be sure to stop by our booth and meet the Rainscapes team while you’re there.

The show is designed to place homeowners in direct contact with quality home improvement, interior décor, landscaping, and outdoor living companies.  The show attracts homeowners ready to make decisions about building, remodeling, decorating, landscaping and lifestyle.  

Friday, September 23: 12 pm to 8 pm

Saturday, September 24: 10 am to 8 pm

Sunday, September 25: 11 am to 6 pm

Adult tickets are $8 each and children 12 and under get in free. Be sure to check in the Knoxville News Sentinel for a $2 off coupon. On Friday, Sept. 23, seniors (55+) will get in two for the price of one. There’s also free parking at the Expo Center. Show hours are 12 pm – 8 pm (Friday), 10 am – 8 pm (Saturday) and 11 am – 6 pm (Sunday).

For those of you who like to plan ahead, the Knoxville Spring Home Design & Remodeling Show will be held March 30 – April 1, 2012.

For the most professional, best-qualified irrigation service in East Tennessee, call Rainscapes’ friendly staff at (865) 981-4270 to schedule an appointment.

Regards,

Clint

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Remedies for post-summer lawn damage

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Rainscapes Admin

Even though East Tennessee is an area that typically gets more than 50 inches of rainfall a year, maintaining a healthy lawn can be difficult.  The rainy season here usually occurs during the winter and spring, which explains why most lawns and landscaping look substantially better in the spring.  Irrigation can be a useful supplement to fill in the gaps of less rainfall during the summer and fall months.

Here are some tips on how to repair your lawn and get ready for the upcoming fall season.

Most summer damage to lawns can be repaired with an abundance of seeding in the fall and with sufficient watering. Repairing the lawn at this time lets the lawn establish itself before the next summer heat. Consistent watering along with a good fertilizer program also can keep the lawn healthy and minimize the weeds that seem to prosper during the hot months.

Knowing just when the best time to water a lawn can be tricky. In my opinion, the best time to water is early in the morning, which prevents water from setting on the grass overnight, causing fungus and disease problems. This also allows the grass to get more water into its root zone, so the sun does not evaporate the water and the wind does not affect the spray patterns.

To avoid future lawn damage from hot weather and lack of rain, cut grass to about four inches or higher.  During drier months, lawns need to be watered to prevent grass from going dormant or dying. 

Some may think using a standard water sprinkler and maintaining lawns themselves might save more money than using an irrigation system, but a lot of time, money and water can be saved by using an irrigation system as opposed to a standard sprinkler. A quality automatic sprinkler system is designed to water just the lawn or landscape areas, which prevents excess water from being sprayed on roads, driveways and structures.  Another advantage with the system running automatically includes people forgetting to turn off their sprinkler, which I’ve heard about numerous times. 

The average cost for installing a residential irrigation system for a home on less than an acre starts at approximately $3,000 for automatic underground sprinklers. Prices vary depending on yard size, complexity of the lawn / landscape and other factors that affect time or materials needed to install the system.  Each job is treated as unique and is carefully examined to determine exactly what it needs.

For the most professional, best-qualified irrigation service in East Tennessee, call Rainscapes’ friendly staff at (865) 981-4270 to schedule an appointment.

Regards,

Clint

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DIY Irrigation Can Be a Disaster

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Rainscapes Admin

This month’s blog topic focuses on the precarious situations a homeowner can experience with trying to install their own irrigation system. Our team receives several calls regarding this very subject.

As a homeowner, there are many potential obstacles for installing an irrigation system on your own.  There can be issues with permitting, water pressure, underground utilities, servicing, private utilities, state-required equipment, scheduling, precipitation rates, and clean-up, just to name a few.

The most common mistake made when installing a DIY irrigation system is poor design.  Even if the system is installed well, it will only be as good as it’s designed to be. With basic plumbing and electrical skills, a good “DIY person” can install a system, but a professional offers true know-how, not to mention trucks, machinery, and equipment designed specifically for the job.

In my 20-plus years of experience, the main reason most DIY irrigation installations fail is because of hydraulics. Oftentimes, homeowners didn’t take into account water pressure, flow rates, and velocity in the pipe. I’ve seen dozens of instances where a pipe was under-sized or not buried properly, back-flow preventers were put on backwards, wiring nightmares, and some plain ole head scratchers to be quite honest.

In the end, a bad DIY irrigation installation job could cost more to repair than actually hiring a professional to do it in the first place. A poorly-designed or installed system will use more water and typically requires more maintenance and repair in the long run.

By hiring a professional with the proper credentials, experience, and work ethic most home owners will enjoy the benefits of a quality irrigation system for many years to come.  The cost of paying a professional to do very demanding work will be quickly recovered in a short amount of time.

For the most professional, best-qualified irrigation service in East Tennessee, call Rainscapes’ friendly staff at (865) 981-4270 to schedule an appointment.

Regards,

Clint

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Rainscapes Celebrates July as Smart Irrigation Month

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Rainscapes Admin

To raise awareness of the benefits of efficient watering practices, the Irrigation Association has named July Smart Irrigation Month.


The average American household uses about 30 percent of its water outdoors, while in some parts of the country, this can be as high as 70 percent. Experts estimate that as much as 50 percent of landscape water use goes to waste due to evaporation, wind, or runoff caused by overwatering. Some households lose up to 70 gallons of water each day!

Make time this summer to be sure you’re getting the most out of your irrigation system, while keeping utility bills low and helping to protect the environment. You may be able to upgrade your current irrigation system with a smart controller. Some new components are designed as easy add-ons to existing systems.

The new generation of “smart” irrigation systems monitor weather, soil conditions, evaporation and plant water use and automatically adjust your watering schedule. The secret to smart systems is the controller. Smart controllers use weather and/or site data to determine when and how long to water. Then, sprinklers apply just enough water at exactly the right time in each zone of your yard.

In a nutshell, save water and you’ll save money.

For the most professional, best-qualified irrigation service in East Tennessee, call Rainscapes’ friendly staff at (865) 981-4270 to schedule an appointment.

Regards,

Clint

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Questions about backflow preventers

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Rainscapes Admin

Have you ever wondered, “What is a backflow preventer, and what does it do?” Oftentimes, questions like this come up around this time of year.

Basically, backflow preventers are installed to protect the municipal water supply by preventing contaminants from entering the water supply through a lawn sprinkler or fire sprinkler system.

Everyone who connects a lawn sprinkler to a municipal water supply in Tennessee is required to have a backflow preventer. Each utility company has slightly different regulations regarding types, locations and testing of backflow preventers.

Backflow preventers are required to protect water users from potentially being exposed to chemicals or other substances that could enter public water supplies through lawn sprinklers.

Essentially, backflow preventers do what the name implies as they prevent water from moving backwards in the water supply.  It’s not likely such a situation would occur, but it could happen with a pipe break or when a large quantity of water is needed – during a fire for example.

Backflow preventers require annual testing to ensure they are working properly.  The device is one of the most expensive single pieces of equipment on a sprinkler system and must be maintained to function properly.  Backflow preventers require winterization if they are in a freezing climate.

Unfortunately, backflow preventers can be the target of theft, so homeowners should take every precaution to make sure that doesn’t happen. Rainscapes offers mock rock as an economical solution to this problem.

For more information about the backflow preventers or how to prevent yours from being stolen, please call me at (865) 981-4270 or visit our website. We’re just a click or phone call away.

Regards,
Clint

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The ABC’s of an irrigation system installation

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Rainscapes Admin

Understandably, many home and business owners wonder what is involved in a new irrigation system installation. The following information outlines the steps Rainscapes team members take when installing a new irrigation system.

It’s best to allow one to three days to install a new irrigation system. The cost of a typical installation for a basic front lawn can be in the $2,500 range with average jobs being around $4,500.  Our team meets with the homeowner prior to any work being done to create a plan that is best suited for the lawn as well as keeping within any budget parameters.

Irrigation system installations begin with a plan to place sprinklers in positions that ensure uniform coverage of the lawn without wasting water by spraying areas such as structures, sidewalks and streets.  A utility location check is also done to identify where the underground utility services so as to not disturb them.  

Our team then lays a system of pipes, wires and sprinkler heads into the ground.  The final step of installation is cleaning up any disruption to the landscape, adjusting the sprinklers and setting the automatic controller to a proper watering schedule.

Lastly, all home and business owners are instructed on the use and maintenance of the new system. Yearly maintenance, which includes winterization and spring start-up typically runs from $140-$200 per year.

The best part is that since all of our work takes place outside, there’s no need to be home during the installation. Our team offers the best service in East Tennessee for new irrigation system installations. We stand by our warranty and guarantee our team members’ exceptional work. Our track record speaks for itself.

For more information about irrigation system installations, please call me at (865) 981-4270 or visit our website. We’re just a click or phone call away.

Best regards,
Clint

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Rainscapes Honored as Green Achiever by the Greater Knoxville Business Journal

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Rainscapes Admin

Rainscapes recently was named a Green Achiever by the Greater Knoxville Business Journal for demonstrating outstanding commitment to becoming more environmentally friendly.

The Business Journal selected 67 applicants—all of which were highlighted in the April issue.

According to the Business Journal, the GoGreenET Business Recognition Program is an opportunity for East Tennessee businesses to share their successes in becoming more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

When most people think about “going green,” they often think of things like reducing pollution or waste, using energy efficiently or avoiding products with harmful toxins or substances.  Water use, however, often doesn’t make the list.

For our team, it’s important for folks in our community to know that water is a finite resource. Protecting and preserving the nation’s water supply is critical to our economy, the environment and human health. Using it efficiently now will help ensure water supplies for our children.

To be selected as a Green Achiever, all applicants had to complete the GoGreenET.com challenge, fulfilling at least one step in every category and scoring at least 30 points. We also were asked to write an essay about their achievements in one or more of the following categories – community outreach, energy efficiency, recycling/waste reduction and renewable energy.

GoGreenET.com is a website administered by the Business Journal that posts news and information to assist businesses in promoting a greener workplace.

Green Achievers will be honored on Thursday, April 21 at the Knoxville News Sentinel. For a complete list of Green Achievers, visit GoGreenET.com.

If you have any questions about how to be a better steward of water, please call me at (865) 981-4270 or visit our website (http://www.rainscapes.com/). We’re just a click or phone call away.

Regards,
Clint

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