Sprinkler Question

[mixsonci]

I contracted with a well-known company here (this is not a judgement on their work) for my sprinkler system. The contract calls for service every 3 months, well it hasn't even been two months and they serviced my sprinklers again today for the full amount, which I will be calling them about tomorrow. But, my question is:

Can they check the sprinkler system from outside if it is "shut off" from the garage panel? I know they can turn it on without coming inside, but can they do that if it is shut off from the main panel?

I shut my system off 2 weeks ago or more and have not turned it back on, I was not home all afternoon when they came by and claim that they did all kinds of things to my sprinklers, including replacing two broken heads, adjusting nozzles, etc., how can they do this is the system is off?

[photo1902]

I contracted with a well-known company here (this is not a judgement on their work) for my sprinkler system. The contract calls for service every 3 months, well it hasn't even been two months and they serviced my sprinklers again today for the full amount, which I will be calling them about tomorrow. But, my question is:

Can they check the sprinkler system from outside if it is "shut off" from the garage panel? I know they can turn it on without coming inside, but can they do that if it is shut off from the main panel?

I shut my system off 2 weeks ago or more and have not turned it back on, I was not home all afternoon when they came by and claim that they did all kinds of things to my sprinklers, including replacing two broken heads, adjusting nozzles, etc., how can they do this is the system is off?

Each zone can be run by turning on each solenoid, manually, from the valve box located in your yard, close to the house. That way each head can be checked for proper operation. There is no need for them to access your irrigation controller in your garage to accomplish this. The valves can be operated manually, from outside, regardless if your controller box is set to the OFF position

Hope this helps, and if you need any further assistance, let me know.

[bagboy]

Someone more knowledgeable than I can jump in here, but the water shutoff in the garage wall is for potable water inside, and there is an irrigation shutoff valve in the inground purple irrigation box. So yes, they can turn on irrigation water, twist each zone solenoid, and have at it. Not saying they did or didn't.

[Joeint]

Why do you think it's necessary to have your sprinklers serviced every three months? I would think once a year is enough.

[Papa_lecki]

Ive had sprinkler systems for 30 years - only ever had them do an inspection at turn on. Doesn’t mean once in a while there’s a service call - every 3 months is a scam

[photo1902]

Ive had sprinkler systems for 30 years - only ever had them do an inspection at turn on. Doesn’t mean once in a while there’s a service call - every 3 months is a scam

As someone who does a LOT of irrigation repairs, I recommend each homeowner know how to turn on their system in the manual mode, and check the heads. I cannot tell you how many broken pop-up's I've replaced.

The vast majority of times the irrigation system starts in the early morning hours, and has completed all the zones before the homeowners wake up.

Typically the only time a homeowner realizes there is a broken head is when Community Watch, or a passing neighbor leaves them a note. It's easy to spot the geyser from the street. Couple this with snowbirds, who have no idea there is a problem until they get a crazy water bill.

Bottom line is that irrigation systems should be routinely inspected. I'm not selling a service, as I encourage every one of my customers to know how to run their system to check for broken and misdirected heads.

[retiredguy123]

Yes, as another poster said, they can operate the system from the outside and replace broken sprinkler heads, if needed. A 3 month schedule is pretty typical, which means 4 times per year. It may be that they have a set time frame for your neighborhood. If you paid them in advance for an annual contract, I think that was a mistake. I have Massey for several services, but I only pay them when they actually perform a service. One advantage to having a regular service is that they should come out immediately and replace one or two broken sprinkler heads when they break for no additional cost. Otherwise, you will be running around trying to get someone to come and replace a sprinkler head with no pre-established price. When a sprinkler head breaks, you have a geyser that needs immediate attention. Also, it is a good idea to learn how to check the system yourself so you only need to call the service when you really need it. But, if you don't trust the company you hired, you should get another company.

[TandHSTAR@AOL.com]

Do you have a cintact number.

[Rsenholzi]

I don’t know why you are paying for service every 3 months. I am a woman and I check my own and my neighbors monthly . It’s not hard to check. Look at your box set to manually and use the arrows to change zones. You can tell if suddenly your water bill shoots up and you haven’t changed the settings. If I have a problem , I them call someone in to check the system. You basically have been scammed into paying for an extra bill if you aren’t checking them yourself

[mydavid]

I'm here all year, I run my system manually, visually check operation and fix any problems.

[Garwood1]

Replacing heads is super easy , I do mine , my neighbor lady does her own

[richs631]

I contracted with a well-known company here (this is not a judgement on their work) for my sprinkler system. The contract calls for service every 3 months, well it hasn't even been two months and they serviced my sprinklers again today for the full amount, which I will be calling them about tomorrow. But, my question is:

Can they check the sprinkler system from outside if it is "shut off" from the garage panel? I know they can turn it on without coming inside, but can they do that if it is shut off from the main panel?

I shut my system off 2 weeks ago or more and have not turned it back on, I was not home all afternoon when they came by and claim that they did all kinds of things to my sprinklers, including replacing two broken heads, adjusting nozzles, etc., how can they do this is the system is off?

Well known does not mean reputable

[J1ceasar]

Why?

[retiredguy123]

Replacing heads is super easy , I do mine , my neighbor lady does her own
It's not so easy if the leak is underground or if the sprinkler needs to be raised.

[Rzepecki]

IMO, in addition to checking your sprinkler heads, servicing your sprinkler system should also include making sure each zone is running for the appropriate amount of time and, importantly, that your rain sensor is operating properly. This can’t be done from outside when you’re not home.

[Tankerrich]

Why not just go on line and type in how to check my sprinkler system or how to change a lawn sprinkler head and do it yourself. There is a lot you can DIY info there and will save you a bunch of cash and you get the satisfaction that comes with it.

[pcacace]

Can you share the name of your sprinkler company?

[caljeff]

As someone who does a LOT of irrigation repairs, I recommend each homeowner know how to turn on their system in the manual mode, and check the heads. I cannot tell you how many broken pop-up's I've replaced.

The vast majority of times the irrigation system starts in the early morning hours, and has completed all the zones before the homeowners wake up.

Typically the only time a homeowner realizes there is a broken head is when Community Watch, or a passing neighbor leaves them a note. It's easy to spot the geyser from the street. Couple this with snowbirds, who have no idea there is a problem until they get a crazy water bill.

Bottom line is that irrigation systems should be routinely inspected. I'm not selling a service, as I encourage every one of my customers to know how to run their system to check for broken and misdirected heads.

As one who has been around the "mulberry tree" in troubleshooting one's sprinkler system, it is also very helpful to have a means of controlling the system while out in the yard. This is to go from station to station without transiting back and forth between the garage central controller and the yard itself. There is a Hunter application (and possibly a Rainbird) that will do this or one may purchase a wireless dongle that will enable the central controller to be manipulated by a hand held wi-fi controller (my approach). I also completely agree with the attached post in that there are numerous maladies (inattentive lawnmower operators, dirt granules fouling the interior sprinkler filters, non retracting heads becoming targets for vandals) that can easily cause the the system to malfunction and require regular surveillance/oversight.

[merrymini]

I cannot fathom why anyone would need to service the sprinkler system every three months. Periodically, you can check your system manually to see if all the heads are working properly, even the rain sensor. I have replaced a head of two, mowers can break them, but that is not everyones cup of tea, so in that case you may want to call someone in.

[Pinball wizard]

It's not so easy if the leak is underground or if the sprinkler needs to be raised.

Actually raising the sprinkler is quite easy. ACE sells a 4 inch riser for about $2. Dig out the sprinkler, twist off, add riser, put back sprinkler.

Make sure you don't get any dirt in the sprinkler.

[rlsjks1987@gmail.com]

I had Massey on an annual contract, paid in advance. My problem with them is "YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN AND IF THEY EVER SERVICE ". My contract ended and they serviced again and of course sent me a bill. Currently under protest and am looking for a good, honest, affordable service and one that let's me know when they service!

[jellybean428]

agree...every three months is overkill

[mixsonci]

I had Massey on an annual contract, paid in advance. My problem with them is "YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN AND IF THEY EVER SERVICE ". My contract ended and they serviced again and of course sent me a bill. Currently under protest and am looking for a good, honest, affordable service and one that let's me know when they service!
My issue is with Massey. I did know they came because they left a service performed notice, however, it's a month and a half too early.

[La lamy]

Why do you think it's necessary to have your sprinklers serviced every three months? I would think once a year is enough.

My thought exactly.

[photo1902]

As one who has been around the "mulberry tree" in troubleshooting one's sprinkler system, it is also very helpful to have a means of controlling the system while out in the yard. This is to go from station to station without transiting back and forth between the garage central controller and the yard itself. There is a Hunter application (and possibly a Rainbird) that will do this or one may purchase a wireless dongle that will enable the central controller to be manipulated by a hand held wi-fi controller (my approach). I also completely agree with the attached post in that there are numerous maladies (inattentive lawnmower operators, dirt granules fouling the interior sprinkler filters, non retracting heads becoming targets for vandals) that can easily cause the the system to malfunction and require regular surveillance/oversight.

Excellent point, and they're very easy to install. I do them all the time. Hunter makes Hyrdawise, but I prefer Rachio 3. Very user friendly, and makes checking zones much easier. Plus you can control it by phone, Alexa, etc. In addition it shows the watering history. One note, if installing the Rachio 3, you cannot use the Hunter Solar Sync (rain gauge), which the vast majority of homes here have. You replace with with the Hunter Rain-Clik Rain/Freeze sensor, which works fine with the Rachio controller.

[retiredguy123]

Actually raising the sprinkler is quite easy. ACE sells a 4 inch riser for about $2. Dig out the sprinkler, twist off, add riser, put back sprinkler.

Make sure you don't get any dirt in the sprinkler.
OK, maybe quite easy, but not super easy.

[photo1902]

My thought exactly.

It doesn't necessarily need to be "serviced" every three months, but homeowners should run all the zones manually once a month or so, walking around to make sure heads are pointed correctly and that there are no broken heads. It's very easy to do, and with a little knowledge, most homeowners can make the adjustments/repairs themselves, without calling in a pro.

[sterlingcnslts]

All of these sprinkler services are a rip off! You can do everything they do for $200 bucks yourself.

[photo1902]

All of these sprinkler services are a rip off! You can do everything they do for $200 bucks yourself.

I think "rip off" is a broad statement. There are plenty of people who live here who have absolutely no desire to dig in the dirt to replace broken heads, lines, remove roots which have damaged supply lines, climb ladders to remove defective rain sensors, etc.

[Oneiric]

Sprinkler heads easily go out of alignment, when hit by lawnmowers, wear out with leakage along the riser seal, and surprisingly just pop off from normal wear. Nothing wrong with checking every 3 months, but I do it myself. This is something very basic that any homeowner can do.

[davephan]

Instead of wasting your money for sprinkler maintenance every three months, that isn't needed, why don't you replace the sprinkler controller with an Orbit B-Hyve sprinkler controller. You can easily do it yourself by watching YouTube videos. The B-Hyve sprinkler controllers are sold at Lowes, and they can sense the weather forecast and they also have the current weather data. So, the B-Hyve controllers can set the system to automatically rain delay. The B-Hyve controller has an app that installs on your cellphone. You can then walk around the yard and manually turn on and off zones to check the sprinkler heads yourself, without the hassles of walking back and forth to the controller. You can program, operate, and monitor your sprinkling from the app on your cellphone. You can also control your sprinkler system when you are away from your home. It's a no brainer to switch to a B-Hyve controller, which is about $100 or less, much less expensive than other smart cellphone sprinkler controllers. I installed two of the B-Hyve controllers in Minnesota, and now I'm installing another B-Hyve controller in Florida.

The sprinkler heads aren't that hard to replace or re-do the elevation. All you have to do is watch some YouTube videos to learn how to do it if you need to learn that skill set. Maintaining sprinkler heads in Florida is much easier than in the snow belt states, where you have to blow out your system with compressed air every year, and the sprinkler head still sometimes break over the winter months.

I've tested about a dozen different sprinkler controllers, and the Orbit B-Hyve is by far the best. The other brands and models aren't close to the quality and reliability. Some controllers have really crappy pinch connectors for the wires, rather than the reliable screw wire connectors. The B-Hyve controller also uses the reliable screw down connectors.

If you're unable or unwilling to do the sprinkler maintenance yourself, get the B-Hyve controller and do the periodic sprinkler head testing yourself. Then instead of signing up for a maintenance contract, have the work done only when it's needed.