We have started up over 250 sprinkler systems this season so far, with most being completed by the last week of April. Most signed up for sprinkler start-ups around the first week of April when we sent out our reminder email, so we have to work all the newer ones in with our other repairs.
For those we have turned on that are waiting on repairs, we prioritize them by severity of issue. For example, those who cannot run their systems at all taking high priority to those who just need a head or two replaced on the lower end. In the last two weeks we have dug up and repaired 8 systems, including replacing Double-Check Backflow Preventers (DC) with the much more reliable Reduced Pressure Principal Backflow Preventer (RP) when they are no longer able to be repaired. This week was especially hectic, and yesterday alone we replaced two Pressure Vacuum Breakers (PVB) and installed one RP. We also started up two systems yesterday that were in the areas we were working in. I believe of all the late sign-ups for turn-ons, we are down to our last ten or so.
I believe that at this time we are finished with the major repairs. We have a few timers to replace, and although systems can’t run automatically without them, they are not considered a major repair, since they generally do not take more than 30 minutes or so to install for normal sized systems.
I will be in Garden Valley for at least half of the day today, after a trip to Les Schwab to check out a squeak in the rear passenger tire of my truck.
Sprinkler start-ups will resume on Monday mixed in with light repairs, and the several other work orders I have that aren’t sprinkler related.
For those who have signed up for our packages “B”, or “C”, if we come across any needed repairs, they will be scheduled afterwards. Our main priority with start-ups is to get systems up and running. If there are light repairs needed, at least the majority of the system will be running while we schedule the other repairs based on priority as stated above.