[ArTurf]

Fraid this stuff is everywhere. I'd guess In most cases there's no code (or enforcement) for irrigation.

What's the deal with the valve box? Simple not covered back up?

 

[ArTurf]

It is everywhere. This is a result of shoddy service work over the years. The valve box was originally at the bottom of the hole, I had the guys raise the valve and level the valve box. We have since added dirt leveled it out. While frustrating, most of what we have is sand, so sorting these issues out is usually not that difficult.

For the most part any Joe Knucklehead can wake up and say "I'm an irrigation ex spurt/ company". And like many other things in the landscape biz the cheapest price wins the job. But of course this is not the long term recipe for success.

 

[ArTurf]

Found this today on one of my properties. It's been on nodes for 7 years or so, clocks are long gone, wires are unfixable at this point. But more than likely a lot of this could have been saved if not for the splices. 2- regular wire nuts and what looks like a telephone wire splice ? Always remember , your splices are more often than not the key to your success.

You can tell a lot about a man by his wiring job.

 

[ArTurf]

I really need to give a shout out to the guy who did this. With 1 exception , this actually works. View attachment 490188 View attachment 490190 View attachment 490192

No valve boxes?
Looks like the guy in my area (wiring) does work down your way also

 

[ArTurf]

St Augustine is a very thick grass, and is mowed at 4" or more. It is recommend in FL to leave you heads BELOW the top of the grass. This allows the gras to break up your spray pattern evenly distributing the water to the grass blades.

View attachment 491970

Reminds me of a deal I ran across many years ago.

Most expensive house in town maybe. Customer wanted to know why grass would not grow in places and the rings of death. This was a huge system 20+ zones over 2 acres. Couple of things going on, no head to head spacing and heads so low in the ground they might not even be above grade not to mention grass height. Turns out the installer irrigator who also was an application person (I am both also) was selling him fungicide application$$$ to no avail. To those unfamiliar good fungicides are expensive.

After 5 minutes of checking out the system the rings of death were where the water pattern was blocked close to the head and the big dead spots were from lack of water due to no head to head spacing. A few thousand later problem fixed.

I remember talking to the installer about something. Near the end of the conversation he's mad and say's something to the effect "thanks for stealing my customers". I explained they called me not the other way around. He hangs up on me. He's no longer in biz BTW.

 

[ArTurf]

15' sprays along the sidewalk and carport. Center of turf is dry. Brightview's solution was to just add a rotor on each side. I wonder where the zone down the middle went to? View attachment 493078 View attachment 493076

So I see similar stuff a lot.
Need to water 60' across, just put 30's on the edges no need to run a zone down the middle. Who needs head to head, good enough for who it's for. Hey we saved money AND got the job cause out bid was lowest.

 

[ArTurf]

And occasionally you come across a system that just makes you smile. I have 100+ View attachment 510779 View attachment 510778 zones on this system and 95 are done like this. The other 12 or so are typical Florida

I do like the idea of burning the valve # on the lid. May have to copy that

 

[ArTurf]

What is this flex product? Same are carflex electrical conduit and the white stuff used in hot tubs?

Glueable flexible pvc if I’m right , I use it on occasion in 3/4”

 

[ArTurf]

Not inFlorida but Mickey Mouse. MO for this guy, seems he likes to use leftover wire and will splice in all kinds of idiot ways. Eventually they fail of course then it’s fault finding super sleuth time.

 

[ArTurf]

New HO calls me in to sort it out. Previous HO who installed system was an “engineer” at a defense company that makes missiles/warheads. I think I know why Challenger failed.

 

[ArTurf]

Why not use funny pipe?

I do most of the time. Sometimes this is just a better fit. Some repairs can be easier.
In the 3/4 size I feel there is less friction loss with larger nozzle sizes.

 

[ArTurf]

So, had a valve that just would not stop leaking. No big deal, cut it off downstream spin it off and Spin a new one back on. Except here in FL , we like to make a nice concrete bed for the pipe and valve to rest in. This is not a thrust block , those are differ t and useful, who even thinks of this stuff ?? But I got some new toys so alls good

View attachment 519659 View attachment 519660 View attachment 519661

That's even worse than the DA's that put rocks in the valve box.
Next time I've got a hammer drill with bits you can borrow

 

[ArTurf]

BTW those look like awfully warm socks for Florida

 

[ArTurf]

I suppose this makes sense, as I assume we will be checking the storm water pond daily to watch the water levels and then know when to switch pumps

specs call for a 5hp centrifugal for the pond and a 7.5 hp for the deep well. I love architects
View attachment 520727

Dirty water and micro,
id have to ask myself is that a good combination

 

[ArTurf]

You just can’t make this stuff up
View attachment 532957 View attachment 532956

You can tell a lot about a man (or company) by looking at their wiring job.

True story:
A fellow once said this to me "If a man's truck is dirty his underwear probably is also", sounded crazy at first but as I went through life it started to make sense. His point was if someone doesn't take care of this thing then that's probably how they go about other things.