Johnson
Irrigation: Montreal, Certified, Irrigation
General | Watering | Service | Programming | Controller | Lawn Care
questions
>> How much will a good system cost?
>> What are the annual operation costs?
>> Will my water bill increase with a sprinkler system?
>> Will there be a charge for your estimate?
>> Are there any hidden costs involved?
>> What are the advantages of owning an automatic sprinkler system?
>> How will I benefit from an in ground sprinkler system?
>> Does having a sprinkler system really save time?
>> Will an automatic sprinkler system water as well as I can water by hand?
>> Will an automatic sprinkler system use more water than I'm currently using?
>> What happens if it rains, will the system continue to operate?
>> Are there different systems from which to choose?
>> How do I know what type of system is best for me?
>> As a homeowner, why would I want an irrigation system for my property?
>> How can I be sure I will get a good system?
>> How can I tell if I have enough water pressure to have a sprinkler system installed?
>> Do I need a well or other additional water source to operate the system?
>> What should I expect during the estimate?
>> What type of product should I use and why?
>> Is there a warranty on the system?
>> Is after-sale service provided?
>> What is a backflow device, and why do I need one on my sprinkler system?
>> Do you install a backflow preventer?
>> Will you put different types of sprinklers on the same line?
>> Will the installation disturb existing lawn or shrubbery areas?
>> How long does a system take to put in?
>> What is drip irrigation, and can I benefit from it?
>> What is the difference between rotor heads, and spray heads?
>> What does "Head to Head" coverage mean, and can I get by without it?
>> Will water alone keep my lawn that deep green color?
Answers
The cost of a system will vary depending upon many factors such as property size, type of landscaping, complexity and coverage of your system. Every irrigation system we install is individually designed and tailored to the client’s property, with an average cost of about $2,250. Keep in mind, a fully automated irrigation system can pay for itself in water conservation as well as the continual health and growth of your turf and plant materials.
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In our climate, irrigation system need to be shut down in winter and restarted in spring. The winterization is done by attaching an air hose to a fitting on the water line, and blowing all of the water out of the system. In the spring, the system is restarted and proper operation of all the components is verified. The costs of these services vary depending on the size of your property, but on average would cost about $120 a year.
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As far as water is concerned, a professionally designed and managed irrigation system will actually save money in water bills because it is set to water differently based on the various needs of your property. Considerations such as sunlight/shade, type of soil, types of plants, location of plants on the property, wind, and grading are all factors in a proper design. In addition, our systems will cut down on "Brown and Soak" watering where a homeowner will wait until damage has been done and then water to the point of soaking the soil. This type of watering not only is harmful to planting, but also defeats the purpose of water conservation!
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No. Johnson Irrigation offers free estimates for new systems to all clients in our service area.
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No. Once we have installed your system, the only future costs are for annual spring opening and fall closing maintenance. The average annual cost is usually about $120.
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Most people say convenience is the biggest advantage to an automatic system since they don't have to spend their time watering by hand or moving the hose around the yard. Others say extended plant life and lower water usage are the most important benefits. Still others believe a sprinkler system is one of the best financial investments they can make in their home since appearance is such a large factor in determining market value. And guess what - they're all right!
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Since hand watering is done on a random basis, and at irregular intervals, an automatic sprinkler system will actually, in most cases, use less water. It will also disperse the water at an even rate, and for a predetermined amount of time. This allows you to water sunny and shady areas for different periods of time, and to water when it is most efficient. One obvious benefit is the ability to continue a watering program while you are away on vacation, etc.
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Yes. You won't have to spend another minute of your time watering the lawn. Your new system will do all the watering for you - even when you're away from home.
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It will do a much better job because our systems are designed to deliver exactly the right amount of water to individual lawn and garden areas. By taking into account shade, soil, slope and time of day, our systems are designed to water better than Mother Nature.
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No. In fact, it will conserve water. You'll never have to worry about runoff from over watering or wasting water when you forget to turn off the hose. And, with a rain sensor, your system will know when it is raining and simply shut itself off when water is not needed.
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No. Our systems come complete with an automatic rain sensor. Your sensor is set to automatically shut off the system when the amount of rain reaches a certain level. Your system will automatically restart when the mechanism senses the appropriate level of dryness.
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Although every system should be tailored to meet your individual needs, a typical system will be comprised of a controller (which functions as the brains of the system), valves (which open and close to release and stop the flow of water to underground pipes) and sprinklers (which actually distribute the water to a given area).
Where the differences come into play, is what type of sprinkler is used to distribute the water. Whether your system is designed with micro-irrigation, drip irrigation, rotors or spray heads, they all have strengths and weaknesses depending on the conditions and design.
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This is where you will have to make a decision based on which irrigation contractor you believe is most knowledgeable about such factors as water source and pressure, soil type, planting materials and the systems overall design. This is the most critical decision and it will make a bigger difference than the specific type of sprinklers used.
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Your home is the single most expensive investment you are likely to make in your lifetime. An irrigation system will help insure that the exterior environment maintains its value and adds to the overall value of your property. It provides the assurance that your landscape investment is sufficiently protected when Mother Nature doesn't cooperate! Our systems are able to do this by watering the right areas at the right time using the correct amount of water based on plant material need and not on homeowner availability and time.
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A good lawn sprinkler system is one flexible enough for both your current and future watering needs: it will put the right amount of water in each area and it will keep operating year after year with minimal maintenance. Each system is rated by evaluating the systems efficiency to deliver useful water to your plants. An average system is typically 40-60% efficient, ours are 60-80%. Your satisfaction with the system will depend ultimately on;
- The design of the system and its efficiency
- The craftsmanship of the installation
- The quality the of the system components
When performing an estimate, one of our engineers will do a pressure test and design the system to insure your sprinklers will operate at optimal pressure. Should we find that your pressure is lacking or that a pump is required our engineer will advise you ahead of time about the specific details involving their installation.
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An in-ground irrigation system can be deigned to utilize either city/town water, a well or a pump.
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We are going to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed choice. First, we will want to view your property in order to determine soil conditions, water sources and pressure, planting materials, etc. Our engineer will design and present a formal estimate detailing what we plan to do and the total price for materials and installation. Along with the estimate, we will clearly explain how all the components and the project would come together. The entire process usually takes about an hour.
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During the estimate we will explain to you what type of controller, valves and rotors or spray heads are best for your landscape. You do want to ensure you are getting professional grade components.
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All our work is guaranteed; we have one and two year standard warrantees as well as a five year extended warrantee. The material we use is generally guaranteed for five years, with certain components carrying a longer warrantee.
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Of course. Taking care of our existing customers has always been our top priority. From starting your system in the spring to closing it in the winter, we take care of that and everything else in between.
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A backflow device is generally a brass assembly that will prevent any water from the sprinkler system from getting into the drinking water supply.
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Yes. All our systems are designed and installed with a backflow preventer.
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Never. Mixing sprinklers with different application rates on the same line causes one area to be over watered in order to sufficiently water another.
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Absolutely not. A few weeks following your installation, the only signs that anything has been installed will be your healthier plants and lawn. We use vibratory plows to perform our installation. Pipe is "pulled" underground through a small slit in the earth; therefore, little is visible once the installation is complete. In general, the nicer the lawn to begin with, the less damage there is. All the piping is underground and all the heads are designed to pop up while watering and recess when the system is not watering. This me03/01/2008ll not be damaged!
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It would depend on the area that is to be watered. An average size lawn (15,000 sq. ft.) can usually be done in one full day, depending on the situation. A large suburban lawn can take anywhere from two to four days. On average, we spend one to two days on a job.
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Drip irrigation is a method where small amounts of water are placed directly on the root ball of plants, therefore using the water more efficiently. This is done with a network of small tubing that is all tied together, and provides water to many plants at once. A drip zone will usually run for several hours, not twenty or thirty minutes. It is generally considered to be better for most planting beds than topical watering, and also more water conservative. Your particular situation would dictate whether it was right for you.
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Gear drive heads have a water powered motor that makes the upper part of the head rotate. These heads are used for large turf areas, with throws of 15 to 85 feet. They are adjustable not only in the precipitation rate, but the arc as well. Spray heads are generally used for smaller or oddly shaped turf areas. Spray heads have no moving parts, and emit a spray of a particular pattern. The nozzles are interchangeable, and come in circular, rectangular, and square patterns, with throws of four to fifteen feet. The precipitation rates of these two types of heads are dramatically different, and should never be mixed on the same zone.
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On any system, one of the fundamentals of design is that each head hit the one to the left and right of it, and any other heads within its throw. This provides even water coverage, referred to as "Matched Precipitation". Really what you are trying to achieve is artificial rainfall. Areas with only single coverage might fare well in cool conditions, but will be the first to brown up in very hot weather. You are far better off to design and install the system properly to begin with, as it is much harder and expensive after the fact to add or move heads to compensate for dry areas. You can always run zones with single coverage heads longer, but now you are over-watering the double/triple coverage areas to compensate for the single coverage areas. Head to head coverage is paramount for a lush, green lawn.
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While water is the key ingredient for a healthy lawn, it is not the only answer. Fertilization is generally required for that lush green look, as is bug control.
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