Latest News from Water Solutions

Winter weather gets cold in the greater Denver area. And that means your home will be at risk for ruptured pipes several times throughout the season. Though most homeowners insurance companies will help pay for repairs, provided you’re not at fault for the burst pipes, it’s far better to avoid filing a claim in the first place. Unfortunately, keeping your pipes warm isn’t always as easy as it might seem. Here are a few things you can do to give your pipes the best chance to get through the winter weather unscathed.

Schedule a Sprinkler System Blowout
Your home’s sprinkler system relies on water from your home’s watermain. It pulls water through pipes buried underground and sends it out through the sprinkler heads whenever the system is set to run. This means you have a relatively complex arrangement of pipes running beneath your lawn and landscaping. 
Unfortunately, those pipes can freeze without you knowing it. And when that happens, you may not notice the problem until the following spring when you try to use the system for the first time. The resulting repairs are expensive and time-consuming. Worse, it can destroy your current landscaping efforts. 
The easiest way to prevent damage is to schedule a sprinkler system blowout. Your sprinkler experts will send air through the pipes and water lines running to your sprinkler system after turning off the water supply for the season. The air then gets pushed out through the sprinkler heads, sending any remaining water inside the lines out to your lawn. Once it’s done, there won’t be any water left inside your system, keeping it safe from below-freezing temperatures all winter long.

Insulate Exposed Pipes
When pipes are exposed to the elements, they’re subject to the weather conditions outside. This means the metal of the pipes will get cold and freeze when the temperatures drop. Cold metal gets brittle fast and if water in the pipes freezes and expands, you’ll have a huge problem on your hands. 
Insulating those exposed pipes will help you keep your plumbing in good shape. To do this, it’s best to invest in foam pipe insulation. All you have to do is wrap the insulation around the exposed pipes and tape it in place. 
You can leave the insulation in place year-round or you can remove it once the weather gets warmer. Just remember to check the forecast and make sure the freezing temps are over before you remove the insulation.

Leave the Taps Dripping
No one likes to waste water. And dripping faucets can waste a lot of it. But during the winter, this is actually a good thing—when water runs through the pipes, it takes much colder temperatures to freeze and create a rupture. 
We’re not saying you should leave dripping faucets unrepaired. Let your plumber fix them as soon as possible. But when the weather gets cold, turn on the taps and let your faucets run overnight. 
For some homeowners, it may be enough to leave the faucet dripping rapidly. But others may want to leave a steady stream about the size of a pencil lead running overnight. This way, your pipes will stay in good shape and you won’t wake up to an unexpected leak. 

Keep Your Garage Door Closed
Unfortunately, most garages aren’t insulated as well as the rest of your house. And since many attached garages have plumbing running through the walls, you’re at risk for frozen pipes. And the more you open the door, the more the temperatures outside your home influence the warmth of the garage. 
The best thing you can do is keep your garage door closed during those cold snaps. If you do need to open it, take care to close it as soon as you’re done. This will help keep the warm air inside where it can better protect your home’s pipes. 
You can also add insulation to your garage door. Most hardware stores have insulation kits that you can easily install on your own. You’ll also want to check the door for leaks along the bottom of the door. If you see daylight through the rubber seal, add weather stripping to create a better barrier. 

Leave Your Heat Running
When you’re leaving town, it’s normal to want to turn everything off. After all, you’re not going to be there to use and enjoy your home’s heating system. But turning it off is almost always a bad idea in the winter. 
Before you leave, set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This will be enough to keep the inside of your home well above freezing and should prevent your pipes from freezing in the first place. 
Even better, the 55 degree setting won’t force your HVAC system to run constantly. This means it will use less energy to keep your home just warm enough. Over the course of the winter, those savings can really add up!

Avoid Running Space Heaters Unattended
On those really cold nights, you might be tempted to run a space heater in the garage or basement and leave it alone. Don’t. 
Space heaters can turn into major fire hazards. That’s why they need to be used in areas where you and your family can keep an eye on them and make sure nothing flammable gets too close to the heater. Leaving them in your garage could end up sparking a fire that threatens the safety of the rest of your house. 
If you have to use a space heater, use one that’s in great condition and has an automatic shut-off feature that will kill power to the unit if it gets too hot or tips over. 

Get Your Home Ready for Winter
Getting your house ready for winter doesn’t have to be a challenge. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to keep your home in good shape no matter how cold the weather gets. Just remember to schedule a sprinkler system blowout and let our pros help you keep your home and yard safe from the freezing weather. Contact us online or call (720) 435-1495.
 

Summer is officially over and that means it’s time to start thinking about getting your yard ready for colder weather. And that cold weather will kick in soon. The Denver area tends to get its first freeze around October 7. But after a long summer of caring for your yard, the last thing you want to do is think about watching the growth you’ve cultivated fade. Worse, you’ll start worrying about how your yard will look come spring. 
Your Denver sprinkler installation experts are here for you. Here are a few tips to help you get your grass ready for the cold.
Keep Mowing
When the weather starts to get cold, it’s tempting to stop mowing. But as long as your lawn keeps growing, you’ll want to keep mowing the grass. But once the colder weather starts to roll in more regularly, it’s okay to start mowing your lawn shorter. Keep it about 1 to 1 ½ inches tall. 
Shorter grass is easier to work with when it comes to the rest of your cold weather preparations. The grass will likely stop growing and you’ll be able to stop mowing after a few hard freezes. 
Rake Up the Leaves
Leaves are a hallmark of fall weather, but that doesn’t mean they’re good for your yard. Take the time to rake them up once they start to pile up on your lawn. 
Use a broad leaf rake to make the task easy or opt for a leaf blower if you’re looking for a simple and fast way to clear a larger yard. Once the leaves are in a pile, scoop them up and haul them away to the dump. If you have a compost pile, you can incorporate them into the compost. 
Give the Soil Some Air
Over the course of the summer, the soil beneath your grass can get compacted. When this happens, it puts strain on your lawn’s roots and makes it harder for them to get the nutrients they need. 
The best way to fix the problem is to aerate your lawn. This involves poking a series of holes into the soil all across your grass. Use an aerator from your local hardware store or grab a pitchfork and poke the tines an inch or two deep into the soil.
This helps loosen up the soil and introduces air to the roots. When spring comes, the soil will have more nutrients and be better able to support your lawn and all the activities you have planned for it.
Pay Attention to Dead Patches
Fall is an ideal time to deal with those dead or bald patches on your lawn that never seemed to grow during the summer months. Pick up some seed or a lawn repair kit and spread it on those areas.
While you probably won’t see much improvement during the fall, it will start to fill in when the weather warms back up. Just be mindful about the type of grass seed you select. If you choose a species that’s different from the rest of your lawn, you’ll have a strange patchwork of colors that might not give your yard the look you’re going for. 
Watch for Weeds
Cold weather may cause your grass to stop growing as quickly. But it doesn’t always do the same for weeds. Those pesky plants are remarkably resilient and will keep growing even when the temperatures start to drop. 
Watch for weeds anytime you’re working with your lawn. If you see them, pull them up. For weeds with deep roots, use a hand-held weed cutter to fully remove the roots. Once they’re gone, toss them in the trash or throw them on the compost pile and let them break down during the winter months.
Figure Out a Fertilizer Plan
Believe it or not, soil doesn’t always replenish the nutrients your grass used up during the growing season. Sometimes, it needs a little extra help in the form of fertilizer. This helps give the soil access to nutrients sapped by the roots of your landscaping. But it needs to be applied properly.
Come up with a fertilizer plan and stick to it. For most lawns, you’ll want to fertilize at least a little once the grass is entering its dormant phase and again in the spring to make sure it has everything it needs to grow well. If you’re not sure what to do for your grass, speak with a landscaping team and let them help.
Schedule a Sprinkler Blowout
You’ve relied on your sprinkler system to keep things looking great during the growing season. But once the ground starts to freeze, it puts all the water lines and sprinkler heads at risk. And a broken or ruptured pipe is both expensive and time-consuming to repair.
The best way to keep anything bad from happening is to schedule a sprinkler blowout when you’re ready to stop watering your lawn. This will help get rid of any excess water in the lines and freeze-proofs your system so you won’t have to worry about those cold winter nights hurting your sprinklers. 
Let the Lawn Sit
Once the lawn starts to brown and stops growing, you’ll want to avoid using it as much as possible. Move heavy furniture away from the turf and try to minimize the impact your family’s activities will have on the grass.
Make sure guests don’t park on your lawn and find alternative places for kids to play whenever possible. The occasional soccer or football game on the turf won’t destroy your winterizing efforts. But repeat activity and heavy foot traffic can do damage that will be tough to repair before the growing season starts up in earnest. 
These Tips Are a Great Place to Start
Your lawn is not a low-maintenance part of your landscape. You need to care for it and give it the attention it needs. Use these tips to get started and set yourself up for a successful spring ahead of time. 
Just don’t forget to give your sprinkler system a little TLC. Contact us today to make an appointment. 
 

Nothing makes enjoying the great outdoors easier than having an outdoor kitchen right in your backyard. And with Colorado getting more than 300 days of sunshine each year, you’ll be able to use the space more often than you think. But if you’re like most homeowners, you’re probably not sure where to start with the design process. Your trusted Denver sprinkler team is here to help. Ask yourself these questions before you start the design process. 

Where Do You Want to Place the Kitchen?
Ideally, your outdoor kitchen should be close enough to your house that you can reach it easily. Remember, you’ll be carrying ingredients from the house to your outdoor food prep area. The closer it is, the more convenient it will feel to use your space. 

Be mindful of your landscaping when deciding on your placement. While it is possible to move your existing sprinkler system to accommodate the build, it’s easier if you choose a spot without sprinkler heads. You’ll save money and speed up the construction process. 

How Will You Use Your Kitchen?
How you use your outdoor kitchen influences the design. If you’re just looking for a bigger and better grilling spot, your design can be fairly simple. But if you’re looking for a full outdoor kitchen, you need to think about how you’ll realistically use the space. 

If you plan on making full meals and don’t want to go back and forth between the outdoors and your indoor kitchen, factor in features like refrigerators, a sink, and dish storage into the design. Remember, the point of your outdoor space is to make your cooking experience fun and convenient. If it feels like a hassle, you won’t use it as much as it deserves.

What Features Do You Want?
There’s a fine line between wants and needs when it comes to your design. Think about the things that you absolutely have to install in order for the kitchen to work for you. If you can’t imagine cooking without a grill, install a grill. If you think you’ll use the kitchen for 3 out of the 4 seasons each year, outdoor heaters and fireplaces may be something you should install.

There’s no right or wrong answer here. Draw up a list of everything you’d LOVE having in your kitchen and use it as a starting point for the design. 

What About Your Guests?
If you build an outdoor kitchen, you’re probably thinking of using it to entertain guests and friends. But you need to think about how to accommodate those guests when you’re planning your design.

Remember, your outdoor kitchen is more of an outdoor entertainment area than you might think. Try to situate the kitchen close to your seating area and consider building benches and bars where your friends can sit while you cook. This will help you feel like you’re a part of the action even when you’re manning the grill.

And Budget Is?
Arguably the hardest part of creating any outdoor kitchen is setting a firm budget. Think about what you’ve saved up for the project. If it’s not enough or your design is larger than you thought it would be initially, you could consider taking out a home improvement loan.

That said, you’ll still need to have a firm number in mind before you can meet with a contractor. If you don’t know how much money you can realistically afford on the project, your contractor won’t be able to bring your designs to life. 

If possible, try to save up for at least a few months before starting the project. This will help you avoid going further into debt and can give you better control over your finances in the long-run. Remember, your outdoor kitchen should feel like an improvement to your house, not a financial burden or a mistake. 

What Do You Want the Surrounding Area to Look Like?
Landscaping can make a huge difference in the ambiance of your outdoor kitchen. But you need to have a vision of what you want the space to look like after the kitchen is in place. 

Look at your yard and think about the features you love most. Are there garden beds or plants that you wish you could have more of? Or do you prefer a no-frills hardscape design that will let you focus on enjoying your kitchen rather than worrying about landscape maintenance?

Again, there’s no right answer. No matter what you prefer, it’s simple enough to incorporate those elements into the design. Just make sure you work with an experienced landscaper to get the job done right. Otherwise, your designs could interfere with the functionality of your outdoor kitchen. 

Do You Know Who You’ll Work With?
Not all contractors specialize in building outdoor kitchens. And If you choose the wrong one, you could end up with a design that doesn’t fit your needs. Take time to research the contractors you’re interested in working with. 

Schedule consultations with each one and let them give you an estimate. If they’ve built kitchens before, ask for examples of their previous designs. This will give you a feel for the quality of their workmanship and can better help you plan out the perfect space of your own.

Also make sure to ask for references. Reputable contractors all have clients that are willing to share their experiences with you. And once you have those references, follow up with them. If the overwhelming response is positive, you’ll likely have the same experience. 

Consult Your Sprinkler Team 
At Water Solutions, we specialize in sprinkler installations, maintenance, and repairs. But that’s not all we do. Our expert landscape team knows how to build outdoor kitchens that add value to your home and simplify your life. 

When you partner with our team, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that your new kitchen won’t impact your existing sprinkler system. We’ll work with your budget to bring your vision to life. Contact us today to schedule a free estimate. 
 

When you build a new home, you get to start your landscaping with a completely blank slate. This is wonderful—it gives you complete control over the design and the arrangement. But it does present a unique challenge. You need to choose the right irrigation system for your new home. For most people, the choice comes down to sprinklers or drip irrigation. Though both have their benefits, a Denver sprinkler installation is often the best choice for your new yard. Here’s why.

Covers More Area
Sprinkler systems spray water over large distances helping you water your landscaping more quickly and more efficiently. And if you’re like most Denver homeowners, your primary concern will be your lawn and trees. Installing drip irrigation systems to cover such a large area is incredibly time-consuming and expensive. Sprinklers allow you to get more bang for your buck by covering more area with fewer heads, reducing your installation time and costs.

Reduces Risk of Liability
Believe it or not, some drip irrigation systems are installed right at surface level or above ground. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to trip over the lines and injure yourself and your plants. While it’s annoying when it happens to you, it can be disastrous when it happens to a visitor. If they’re injured on your property, you could be liable for the cost of their medical treatment and any other damages. Sprinkler heads are placed strategically around the yard to reduce the risk of injury. And when they’re not actively spraying water, they sit flush with the ground, further reducing tripping hazards. 

Hard to Damage
Your sprinkler system’s water lines and heads are installed completely underground. This means they’re protected from damage and often require digging to access. You won’t have to worry about accidentally snapping the waterline by stepping on it. And regular landscape maintenance won’t be able to damage the lines or the heads. With drip irrigation systems, the waterlines are close to the surface. This means you risk damaging the tubing with a misplaced step or a poorly used gardening tool. And when the lines are damaged, it can be tough to repair them. Often, they need to be replaced completely. 

Easier to Tell If They’re Working
With drip irrigation systems, you have to trust that they’re working and watering the plants when they’re supposed to. The only way to tell for sure is to monitor the moisture levels in the soil to make sure the plants are getting the water they need. There’s no easy way to see for sure that things are working properly. With sprinkler systems, it’s easy to see if they’re working. If the heads come up and spray water where they’re supposed to when they’re supposed to, you know they’re working properly. And if you see a sprinkler head working in a way that it shouldn’t or not putting out a steady stream of water, you know it’s time to call your repair expert.

They’re More Versatile
Drip irrigation is great for one thing and one thing only: watering small garden beds. They’re not practical for covering large areas and the impact that installing and maintaining the system would have on your yard just isn’t worth it. Sprinkler systems are far more versatile. Since you can control their placement and the stream of water, you’re able to target certain areas of your yard more heavily. And that accuracy makes it easier to keep things properly watered throughout the year. 

The System Works with Timers
Sprinkler systems automate the watering process. They can be installed with timers allowing you to control when and how long the system runs. This helps you manage your landscape’s watering needs completely without having to worry about watering your plants by hand. Even better, the timers will work whether you’re at home or not. If you plan on going on vacations at all and don’t want the hassle of hiring a house sitter or landscaper to keep things in good condition, an automated sprinkler system is your best option.

They’re Just Plain Fun
Summer means the entire family spends more time outside and on those hot afternoons, you’ll need a way to cool off. Sprinkler systems are a great way for the entire family to cool down when the temps are high. Kids enjoy running through the spray, pets can play along with them, and you’ll be able to bask in the relative coolness of the mist—assuming you don’t want to get wet. Just remember to adjust your watering times if you plan on using the sprinklers to cool off. You don’t want to overwater your yard!

They Last Longer
Drip irrigation systems are exposed to the elements. And that means tons of ice and snow in Colorado. Unfortunately, the elements will take a toll on the system and you’ll end up needing to replace the components fairly often. With a professionally installed sprinkler system, you can expect to get years of use without any significant repairs. All you have to do is stay on top of routine maintenance appointments and make sure to have the system winterized before the freezing weather sets in each year. Even better, your installation team will be able to help you with those maintenance tasks. And before they leave, they’ll show you things you can do on your own to keep the system in good shape. 

Don’t Settle for Drip
Drip irrigation may be okay for tiny garden beds, but if you’re looking to keep your yard in good condition throughout the warmer months, a sprinkler system is the best option. You’ll save money and time in the long-run and will be able to enjoy your lush lawn and plant life year after year. If you’re ready to get a system installed on your property, don’t wait. Contact us to schedule an on-site estimate and see how our sprinklers can help you maintain your landscaping the easy way. There’s a perfect system for every size yard and every home’s needs.  

You take great pride in your lawn. But that doesn’t mean you can get by with a few simple mowing sessions and the occasional weed treatment. Sometimes, pests and unwanted critters get in the way and change the look and feel of your lawn. While all of them are a problem, burrowing pests put your lawn and your sprinkler system at risk more than most. There are a few things you can do to keep your lawn safe and prevent premature Denver sprinkler repair appointments when you least expect them. 

Get Rid of Bird Feeders
Sure, birds may add color and make your yard feel like a wild paradise, but other critters want their food just as much as they do. Get rid of your bird feeders immediately. This will reduce the amount of food available to unwanted pests and can help keep them out of your yard in the long run. And don’t worry. There are plenty of natural food sources in your yard for the birds to enjoy. They won’t avoid your house just because you took away the birdseed. 

Build a Barrier
Yes, burrowing pests can tunnel underneath a fence, but that doesn’t mean that fences are not helpful in preventing an infestation. Think of it this way…unwanted critters like to scope out their prospective territory before building a home in it. They like easy access and love having several escape routes in case predators show up. Fences make that incredibly difficult. Consider installing a sturdy fence around the part of your yard you want to protect most. This can be a decorative fence at the front and sides of your property or just a small barrier around your garden and landscaping beds. 

Let Your Pets on the Lawn
Both dogs and cats are predators in the eyes of burrowing pests. Even small dogs are able to scare off unwanted critters in a matter of minutes—have you ever seen a squirrel run away from a teacup chihuahua? It happens all the time! Use this to your advantage. Let your pets out on the lawn and allow them to mark their territory. A little urine won’t damage your lawn, but it will set up an invisible perimeter around your grass. Pests will smell your pets and want to stay away. After all, you have a hunter on the property and the last thing they want to do is live in a yard where something might eat them.

Schedule Regular Sprinkler System Inspections
When dealing with pests, preventative maintenance is key. The sooner you discover damage, the better prepared you’ll be to fix the problem before it gets too bad. Schedule regular inspections throughout the year for your sprinkler system. Your technician will inspect the lines, the electrical components, and the sprinkler heads for damage commonly caused by burrowing pests. If anything is wrong, they’ll make the necessary repairs to keep your system running smoothly. As an added bonus, the inspection may just interrupt any burrowing pests thinking about nesting in your yard. 

Spray Soapy Water
Pests are incredibly sensitive to scents and odors and what we find enjoyable is often enough to keep them away. Grab a spray bottle and fill it with a few ounces of scented dish soap (mint and citrus scents work best) and dilute it with water. Then, spray the mixture on your grass. It doesn’t take much. You don’t have to saturate the lawn or repeat the process every week. Just spray the turf and watch for signs of pests. Most will leave in a few days. If you still have a few stubborn critters taking up space under your grass, call your pest control expert and let them take over the removal process.

Look for Burrows
Every few weeks, take a look at your lawn. Look for dirt piling up on the grass itself. Look for torn up turf and any strange hills popping up in your grass. If you notice anything strange or out of place, don’t try trapping or poisoning the critters on your own. Instead, call your pest control expert and let them handle the job. An active infestation can grow rapidly if it’s not taken care of fast. 

Consider this: pests burrow under the ground. This means they can get beneath your house and threaten the integrity of your foundation. The faster you address the problem, the safer your house (and your lawn) will be.

Check for Droppings
Droppings in the grass can be surprisingly useful. Every pest species has distinctive droppings. Use this to your advantage and identify the type of pests you have. In Colorado, the most common burrowing pests are rabbits and prairie dogs, both of which can damage your grass quickly. 

Prairie dog droppings are typically oblong and light brown in color, even when dried. They’re often found near the entrance to burrows rather than spread throughout the lawn. Remember, they like to stay down in their burrows as often as possible.

Rabbits, on the other hand, spend most of their time above ground. This means you’ll find their droppings throughout your grass and garden. Look for small centimeter-long pellets. You may notice grass bits and plant matter in the pellets, making it even easier to identify. 

Take a picture of any droppings you find and show them to your pest control expert when you schedule the appointment. This will help them develop a strategy to get rid of the problem quickly. 

Don’t Put Off Repairs
It’s always easier to prevent damage than to repair even minor issues after they happen. The best thing you can do for your yard is to stay on top of routine maintenance. Partner with a pest control expert and let them set up a protective perimeter around your home. And don’t forget to schedule a sprinkler system tune-up at least twice a year to make sure everything is working properly. We can always fix problems, but we’d prefer to help you keep them from happening in the first place.