How Proper Drainage Systems Can Help Your Landscape
In the video below you will learn how proper drainage systems can help your landscape:
For more information on how we can help you visit our contact page.
Maintain & Upgrade Your System
Irrigation systems need regular maintenance to keep them working efficiently year after year. Damage from lawn equipment or improper winterization can cause leaks and other serious problems.
Inspect your system monthly. Check for leaks, broken or clogged sprinkler heads, and other problems. Clean clogged screens and micro-irrigation filters as needed.
Adjust sprinkler heads. Remove or correct obstructions that prevent sprinklers from distributing water evenly. Adjust sprinkler head positions and spray patterns to avoid watering sidewalks or structures and to provide necessary clearance over growing plants.
Check the pressure. Pressure can change over time and negatively affect system efficiency.
Inspect the system for leaks. Leaks are a huge water waster. JB Irrigation can perform regular maintenance checks for leaks, broken or clogged spray heads, and other problems.
Install a rain shutoff switch. JB Irrigation installs these sensors that can be retrofitted to almost any system and help compensate for natural rainfall by turning off your system in rainy weather.
Look for savings. Many water utilities offer rebates for certain water-efficient products. Consult with your local water provider.
Have your system audited. Hire JB Irrigation to conduct an irrigation check and test to verify areas are being watered evenly and appropriately, and make necessary adjustments.
Winterize your system. JB Irrigation can prepare your system from a freeze that can crack pipes, valves. and sprinklers.
Justin Bielamowicz,
Owner, Licensed Irrigator #7396
JB Irrigation & Services
www.JBIrrigation.com
Phone: 281-744-6909
You Can Help Conserve Water
A typical morning routine involves a shower, cup of water, and the flow of a faucet. Many of us don’t think twice about our water usage until we’re confronted with circumstances such as drought or a water crisis. Only 2.5% of the water on earth is fresh. As a result, we must actively protect this precious commodity. With a considerable portion of our country’s drinkable water going to our plants, it needs to receive recognition.
While many articles have been written about the shortcomings of our government, we must also take a serious look in the mirror and make sure we are doing our part.
How can we participate? For those of us who do irrigate our lawns, plants, gardens, and landscapes, we can follow these simple steps to become more efficient: only irrigate when we need to, turn off our irrigation systems when it is raining, and make sure the water is not hitting and or running off on to our sidewalks and streets.
For assistance or additional advice, call in JB Irrigation to help. We are qualified to help you save water, while helping your landscapes.
These simple steps will save a substantial amount of water in the end. Our decision to efficiently irrigate our landscape will positively impact our lives and those of generations to come.
Justin Bielamowicz,
Owner, Licensed Irrigator #7396
JB Irrigation & Services
www.JBIrrigation.com
Phone: 281-744-6909
Are You Ready For A Summer Pre-Season Irrigation Check?
Numerous home owners and entrepreneurs know that spring is prime time for a cooling check—nobody needs to have the A/C breakdown when summer temps hit triple digits. But most individuals may not understand that it’s additionally an ideal time to complete an irrigation check.
Irrigation systems across the nation are relied on during the hot summer months to keep landscapes alive and healthy, so a spring inspection can keep your system free of irrigation issues when you should be enjoying your outdoor spaces.
Following these irrigation checks can help prevent problems and even help save water this summer.
1. THE WATER BILL
The first sign of any major problem can show up on the water bill. Does it seem high compared to the previous month or year? Is it comparable to others in the neighborhood?
Are you concerned about how much water you are using? Are you interested in potential water-saving solutions?
2. DO A WALK AROUND
Are there signs like soggy turf or erosion? Are your plants and grass healthy? A quick walk around the property can help reveal any obvious leaks or issues.
3. INSPECT EACH IRRIGATION ZONE
Head to the controller and run and inspect each zone, one by one. Check for missing or clogged emitters, or sprinklers that are broken or out of alignment.
If you see any odd spraying that could indicate broken or chipped nozzles.
4. CHECK FOR WATER PRESSURE PROBLEMS
If the water use is high, but the turf seems dry, low water pressure may be an issue.
A rainbow that appears as the zone is running can be telltale sign of high pressure. Spray heads are meant to run at max of 30 PSI and will begin to fog or mist at higher pressure. Pressure regulating spray bodies or rotors, or another device may be necessary to get the pressure right.
5. CHECK THE IRRIGATION SCHEDULE
It’s always good to double check the watering schedule.
If a controller was left to its default settings after a power outage, someone meddled with the settings or there were any recent site changes (new plants or removals), then adjustments may be necessary.
To get the right watering schedule dialed in, make sure you understand the irrigation controller, system outputs, plant water needs, and soil type.
6. DOUBLE CHECK THE DRIP
It’s smart to check out the drip filter, even if it was cleaned at the start of the season. If it’s loaded up with debris, you may need to clean the filter more frequently.
Pay special attention to drip irrigated areas. When water is applied more slowly, it can be more difficult to tell when overwatering is occurring, so check the area for signs.
7. A QUICK WIN TO SAVE WATER
Most spray heads are really inefficient, with a distribution uniformity (DU) of 40 percent, meaning only 40 percent of the water gets to the plants roots. The problem is how fast they put out water.
Hurricane Harvey put sixty inches down in some parts of Texas over 72 hours. That’s a precipitation rate of 0.83 inches per hour. Most fixed sprays apply water at twice that rate.
This usually leads to ponding, runoff and a lot of wasted water. Swapping fixed spray heads with high-efficiency fan-spray or rotary nozzles can double the efficiency on most systems, saving hundreds of gallons each week. In most cases all you have to do is change the nozzle.
In the meantime, make sure any spray nozzles are scheduled for short run times with delays in between to allow water to soak in, not run off.
High-efficiency fan-spray or rotary nozzles water more slowly, so the water reaches its target.
JUST ASK FOR SUMMER SUCCESS!
Start the season off right with these checks by JB Irrigation to help your save water and money! Call us now to schedule a Technician out ! 281-744-6909
Irrigation Inspection Checklist
1. Ask About the Water Bill: Are there any water use concerns?
2. Walk the Property: Inspect plant health and signs of issues.
3. Inspect Each Zone: Check sprinkler alignment.
4. Perform a Pressure Check: Watch for misting and under-performing heads.
5. Check the Schedule: Adjust controller as needed.
6. Double-Check the Drip: Check filter and signs of overwatering.
7. Save Water: Upgrade sprinkler nozzles to high-efficiency models.
Behind The Scenes Footage – KPRC Channel 2 News Freeze Protection Interview
When local media is covering a severe weather threat, like the hard freeze that Houston recently experienced, news reporters frequently reach out to JB Irrigation owner Justin Bielamowicz for expert advice.
This short clip shown above is just a brief look at the hours pent with KPRC news reporters covering the freeze. Important sprinkler freeze protection advice was broadcast on the news multiple times and we hope that it saved our fellow Houstonians a lot of money and work that would be required to repair the broken backflow preventers that are typically one of the first things to bust when cold weather hits.
We welcome interviews with all forms of media. If you are looking for expert consulting on all aspects of irrigation and drainage, please reach out to our office by calling 281-
4 Tips to Keep Your Landscaping Tools In Top Shape
With Springtime closing in quickly, it’s time to check if we have the tools ready to clean up that freeze damaged landscape!
Here is some tips for our customers:
While tools are essential to completing any job, tool maintenance can be easy to forget. However, regular maintenance can help preserve the integrity and effectiveness of your tools. Here is a guide to make sure you keep your tools in optimal working order.
Keep your tools sharp
To prevent you from having to work harder, make sure you always keep your tools sharp Cutters, loppers, pruners, shovels and hoes all dull with use. Sharpen them! Use a hand file, sharpening stone, or a power tool such as an electric angle grinder.
Sometimes, the blades may be beyond repair, are chipped, or have stopped cutting effectively. In that case, it’s time to replace that tool.
Keep your tools clean
No matter what, your tools will get dirty while working, so it’s important to clean them up when you’re done using them to avoid rust and dirt buildup, which will diminish the life and effectiveness of the tool. Wash with water first. You can wipe down your tools with a towel and WD-40. If you want to avoid contaminating your soil or edible plants, try the mixture using vegetable oil instead.
If you choose to clean your tools with water, make sure you thoroughly dry them afterward. Leaving water on your tools can cause them to rust. Leave in the sun to dry before storing. (we blow ours off with compressed air or use a leaf blower)
If your tools have already accumulated rust, use a stiff wire brush to remove rust from the surface.
Keep your tools healthy
Plants, trees and soil can harbor various harmful bacteria, viruses, pests or fungi. If you do not clean your tools every time you use them, you could potentially spread infestations from one job site to the next.
To avoid spreading harmful diseases to different landscapes, wipe down your tools with alcohol wipes when using your tools on different trees or in different soil. You can also sanitize your tools in a solution of two cups of bleach for every gallon of water.
Keep your tools moving
If you have a tool with moving parts, such as springs or pivot points, be sure to keep the moving parts lubricated and cleaned out as best you can. You can wash smaller tools like you’d wash silverware. Be careful not to cut yourself on the blades.
If your tools have a lot of dust lodged in the pivot points, or leftover water after washing them, you can use compressed air to blow it out of the small crevices. Then, lubricate your tools using WD-40.
JB Irrigation Interviewed on Channel 2 News About Freeze Preparation
HOUSTON Channel 2 News – Justin Bielamowicz does not pull any punches when it comes to what is in store in the coming days,:“It’s going to a pretty bad one as far as what the forecast says.”
Bielamowicz, the owner of JB Irrigation, has one message for property owners in the coming days. “Any outside or outdoor plumbing piping needs to be insulated,” he said
As for those who haven’t prepared?
Bielamowicz offered up a candid assessment.
“The people that haven’t prepared,” he said. “They may be in for a rude awakening after the pipes may thaw tomorrow.”
That means the second day of the year may be filled with water shooting into the air out of a homeowner’s sprinkler system.
Bielamowicz said the key is to make sure the backflow preventer is insulated properly.
“It doesn’t take long to do, but if you don’t cover it and it does break, you are looking at an expensive repair to do,” he said.
Bielamowicz said the average repair cost is roughly $300.
Now while Bielamowicz is a professional who stresses any kind of insulation, he does offer a homemade remedy of tightly wrapping towels or even newspapers around a unit with a plastic bag protecting it.
As far as how long to keep it on?
“I would keep it on at least for the entire week,” Bielamowicz said.
Infographic: Sustainable Houston Stormwater Drainage Solutions
Drainage issues are very common in the Houston area. The aftermath of recent storms has shown exactly where our worst stormwater drainage areas are, and JB Irrigation is here to help remedy common draiange problems that occur at residential or commercial properties.
To learn more about the components of a quality hydraulic drainage system, view the infographic below that explains some of the steps we can take to correct your drain problems.
VIDEO: How To Fix Drainage Issues In Your Yard
Without the right drainage system, rainwater and landscape runoff can puddle in low spots in your yard, creating a muddy mess that can kill your grass and attract mosquitoes and other pesky insects. If left untreated, this drainage problem has the potential to grow, destroying your lawn and landscaping work and potentially leading to property damage as the water makes it’s way to your home.
Instead of using a properly installed drainage system, many homeowners try quick fixes, such as moving dirt or digging trenches and end up dissatisfied because these approaches are most often ineffective and temporary.
By having JB Irrigation install an NDS drainage system such as Flow Well and EZ Drain can protect water from puddling in low spots in your yard. Flow Well and EZ Drain capture and retain excess surface water before allowing it to naturally percolate into the ground.
With JB Irrigation you can create a lasting drainage solution easily and inexpensively. Start planning your drainage project today.
A Great Customer Testimonial
We were happy to recieved a very nice testimonial in our inbox today. Teesha had an issue with her control box that was covered under warranty. All customers of JB irrigation can rest assured that we will gladly take care any warranty issue promptly.
Dear Mr. Bielamowicz,
My name is Teesha. I got your information from Ross and Tish Williams (Advantage Manhole and Concrete Services) in 2015 when I bought their house. They are like family to me so I value their opinion and so I had no questions when they recommended your company to me. You guys came out and installed a sprinkler system in my front yard. The work was done quickly and I have been satisfied ever since. This week, my control box died. I called for service and when the tech evaluated the problem it was deemed the control box needed to be replaced at a price of $200.00. Needless to say, I was more than a little bummed to be facing a $200 part + service call charge when the system is only a little over two years old. I asked the tech if he would please ask the office if the part was under any type of warranty. I was fully prepared to receive a call back from him with a no answer. To my surprise, he informed me JB Irrigation would replace the control box as a warranty part at no charge to me. I cannot thank you enough for this phenomenal customer service. While I know you have a business to run and can’t “give” your services away, please know you have earned my business from this point forward. In my eyes, you did the right thing by your customer today and sadly, this practice has sometimes become rare. I wanted to reach out and let you know how thankful I am and that I will definitely recommend your company any chance I get.
Thank you again!!
Teesha R.