Attorney Blog

Here comes the winter!

carl@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)67700 — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

Here comes the cold! To protect your valuable system from the freezing weather this weekend make sure to shut off the water supply to the sprinkler system then go to your controller and press "manual start". This will drain some of the water from the exposed pipes outside, don't forget to turn the controller dial to "Off" after a minute or so. If you have a backflow device on the outside of your home, it might be a good idea to wrap an old blanket around it to give a little extra buffer from the cold!

Make sure you're scheduled for Winterization!

Unique Islander Tiki Light!

carl@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)40818 — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Check out this great video from Unique about their Islander Tiki Light. The Islander has truly unique looks and functionality that just can't be beat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmnk8kTDhgs

Veggie Gardens

carl@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)31887 — Thu, 20 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

Hunters unveils its new video support wall!

carl@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)28358 — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

Hunter Industries has unveiled their new sprinkler system repair video wall. It looks like a great way to see what you need to do for homeowners who want to repair or adjust their own irrigation system!

http://www.hunterindustries.com/Support/TrainingVideos/

Spring has sprung!

carl@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)28140 — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

March has come and preparations are in full swing for our Spring Turn-On services. All our existing customers will begin seeing our full-color reminder mailer [Flyer] in their mailbox and getting reminder calls to set up their spring service!

Having our trained technicians do your turn-on in the spring is your best bet for reliable service throughout the season. Affordable Lawn Sprinklers knows that the whole system needs to be reviewed for damage and adjusted for coverage, especially after the weight of all that snow sitting on it for months! Your Technician will activate the water supply, check for leaks and test the functionality of every part of the system, then walk the zones and adjust or repair as necessary to get your system in top shape for the season ahead.

We recommend your irrigation system be started up and active to protect your valuable landscaping by June, but, as many folks do planting or over-seeding as early as the first week of April we begin our scheduling then. April and May are such cool, wet months that these are good times to come out and get the system ready to protect your lawn from the summers heat!

Call the Office at 703-289-1155 to schedule your Spring Turn-On Service soon, dates are filling up rapidly!

Lawn Sprinkler Winterization Virginia

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)18831 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Winterization of Sprinkler System

This is a very very important service visit for sprinkler system. This is when we use a high volume air compressor and remove all of the water from the sprinkler system with a HIGH Volume air compressor. This service protects the following:

Backflow preventor
Rotor Heads
Spray Heads
Valves
Underground piping

We recommend having this service done between Early October and Mid-November. Homeowners with a backflow above the ground need to be especially cautious because those devices are pressurized and are the first things to break and they are very expensive.

Another testimonial: Sprinklers make your already healthy lawn greener and stronger...

carl@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)18712 — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

I have been always able to grow thick green grass; the issue was keeping the lawn watered, I since contacted Affordable Lawn Sprinkler and Lighting of Vienna Virginia. I must say the project was affordable and I did not realize everything that is involved to achieve an efficient irrigation system. From the permit process to the actual installation. Peter the installation technician and crew foreman once on site, explained to me the complete task of what they were about to accomplish. The crew worked around my hardscape and plantings with no damage. Several days after installation a service technician arrived and walked me through newly installed irrigation system, explaining in detail from the system control panel and each installed zone, including adjustments of the individual sprinkler heads.

As I monitor my system operation, water is delivered to every foot on my lawn, with very little, if any overspray. In just this short time I can see the difference with the plantings and newly planted seed. I am please with my system, service and product. I should have had this system installed years before.

Testimonial from one of our customers

carl@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)12061 — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Jacob:

I am so sorry, I have not forgotten about Ed Gardo, because obviously he left a lasting impression by his phenomenal service call. I have been extremely busy and have had no time to stop, relax and take a breather. Writing to you about Ed Gardo was very important and I would appreciate if my words of appreciation are conveyed to his immediate supervisors and also to the Corporate chiefs so they know that hard working & committed people do make a huge difference.

Gardo was extremely gracious, cheerful, polite with a constant kind smile. He shook hands like a true professional. Attentively listening to our issues and then assuring us that his priority is to make us happy & satisfied. He most certainly went beyond the call of duty to make sure all sprinkler heads were properly adjusted and positioned in a manner where unnecessary water wastage could be avoided.

I congratulate Affordable for having a remarkable employee like Gardo and I extend my sincere gratitude to Gardo for being so Super , dedicated and so loyal to his employer to make sure his company does not miss a business opportunity. Gardo, keep up the good work. To the management & leadership team of Affordable I will say, you are lucky to have an employee like Gardo, it is easy to fnd people but trusted individuals like Gardo are hard to come by.

Thank you very much indeed,

Regards,

April 29, 2009 Wow, more rain, must be an alltime record. It is looking like rain Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Please be Green and Conserve water, turn your sprinkler system off til we have 4 consecutive days without rain.

carl@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)11408 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

Rain Sensors for Lawn Sprinkler System and Irrigation Systems

carl@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)11210 — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

Every April we get dozens of calls about Rain Sensors, either they are concerned their sprinkler is still running during a rain drizzle or there is a red light illuminated on their control box. Rest assured, both are quite normal and common. Rain Sensors are activated after 1/4 inch of rainfall and when this happens it de-activates your sprinkler system and a red light is illuminated.

Outdoor Lighting and Daylight Savings, time to change your timer!

carl@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)11211 — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

Be green and save energy, no need to have your outdoor lights turning on during daylight hours. Please change your timers in your transformer to illuminate at 8 pm at the earliest. This will reduce your monthly energy bill, lengthen the lifespan of your bulbs and reduce light pollution. A win win win

April 19-21st, More rain ahead, Sunday-Tuesday, please save water and turn sprinkler control box down.

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)11040 — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

April showers bring May flowers and boy are we getting the showers. Please save our precious water for the drier months of July through September and turn your sprinkler control box down.

Very rainy, save our water, please turn off sprinkler system for next 7 days!

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)10986 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

Wow, it has been raining almost every day in April, definitely more than your plants and turf need to flourish. Please save our precious water and turn your sprinkler system off for the next 7 days!

Sunny skies ahead, great time to put your grass seed down! 70's and sunny this weekend!

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)10987 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

Finally some warm sunny weather, this weekend will be a great time to plant your annuals and spread some grass seed. Enjoy the beautiful weather!

It's Tulip Season!

carl@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)10985 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

Did you know that ......

You need to plant your tuplips in the fall or early winter
You can grow tulips under deciduous trees where it's too shady for bloom later
Plant food should be applied above the bulbs-but not where it can touch them-and be well watered in
Tulips grow well in soil that drains well
When the bulbs are out of season, you should lift and divide them
You can get larger blooms if you water them early

Farmer's Almanac prediction for April

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)10637 — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

What We Predicted for April

APRIL 2009: temperature 52° (2° above avg.); precipitation 3" (0.5" below avg.); Apr 1-5: Sunny, turning warmer; Apr 6-9: T-storms, then sunny, warm; Apr 10-13: T-storms; cool north, very warm south; Apr 14-18: Sunny, seasonable; Apr 19-24: Rainy periods, seasonable; Apr 25-30: Sunny, warm.

Spring Turn-On 2009

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)10373 — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

It's is spring, time to fertilizer the grass, trim the shrubs, plant those annuals and activate your sprinkler system. Don't hesitate, call us today to get on our schedule at 703-289-1155. We serve all of Northern Virginia and Montgomery County (Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Annandale, Mclean, Great Falls, Sterling, Reston, Herndon, Lorton, Burke, Oakton, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Clifton, Manassas, Haymarket, Leesburg, Ashburn, Lansdowne, Brambleton, Chantilly, Centreville, South Riding, Aldie, etc).

Affordable Lawn Sprinklers is listed as a Preferred Irrigation Contractor with Loudoun County

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)10374 — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

The purpose of Loudoun Water’s new Preferred Irrigation Contractor program is to work with local irrigation contractors who are doing business in Loudoun to help customers save money and protect the environment by ensuring irrigations systems are designed well, maintained properly, and meet required permits to protect the potable water supply. This program highlights the contractors who, in our view, are doing all these things well. The following contractors have furnished Loudoun Water with proof of their Loudoun County Business License, their Certified Irrigation Contractor or Designer certificate, a letter from EPA confirming their participation in EPA’s WaterSense program, and they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Loudoun Water to show a commitment of partnership in smart water use.

Lawn sprinkler opening / sprinkler activation / spring turn on / VA / virginia

carl@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)9870 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Spring Thing!

It is March once again and time to get ready for the April/May Spring Turn-On season! Our customers will have received their full-color mailers over the past weeks and we are in full swing here in the office confirming dates and setting folks up with our lawn sprinkler maintenance packages. April is filling up fast and we want to get everyone scheduled for the best times to activate their system. If you have not already scheduled your Spring lawn sprinkler activation please call the office at 703 289 1155 to secure your day! We're open from 7am to 5pm, Monday through Friday for your convenience.

We have several affordable, quality options for folks looking to get their sprinkler systems activated and maintained this year, from our à la carte start-up and repair services all the way up to our Platinum Full Maintenance Plan which includes monthly visits for your irrigation system and the option to add checkups and maintenance on your landscape lighting system! Call the office at 703 289 1155 at your convenience to get pricing for the services which fit your needs!

DC area approaches driest February since 1871

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)9572 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Washington, DC Approaches Precipitation Record

With the paltry 0.03" of rain and snow showers which fell at National Airport this morning, February's total to date is a mere 0.26". Since only a 50% chance of showers is forecast on Friday, there's a good shot at breaking the record for driest February since records began in 1871. If no further precipitation falls this month, the new record will also be drier than that of any other calendar month except March, April, September, October, and December. The last time so little precipitation fell in Washington was when a new record of 0.05" was set in March, 2006.

Image (click to enlarge): CapitalClimate chart from NWS data, background photo © Kevin Ambrose

Topics covered in Affordable Lawn Sprinklers Blogging

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)9573 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

lawn sprinklers, irrigation, lawn, green grass, installation of lawn sprinkler, service of lawn sprinkler, landscaping, drip, irrigation design, plumbing, backflow, maintenance programs, outdoor lighting, low voltage lighting, ball fields, soccer fields, athletic fields, rainbird, hunter, kichler, unique, cast, ET sprinklers, Precipitation rates, water efficiency, cisterns, water barrels.

Affordable Increases their service and installation cover areas

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)9574 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Good news, more than likely Affordable Lawn Sprinklers and Lighting is now serving your area. Here is an updated list of areas we serve:
Virginia
Fairfax County (Arlington, Langley, Fairfax, Clifton, Centreville, Oakton, Vienna, Falls Church, Merrifield, Annandale, Springfield, Alexandria, Franconia, Burke, Fairfax Station, Lorton, Chantilly, Reston, Herndon, Mclean, Great Falls, Virginia Oaks)
Loudon County (Ashburn, Brambleton, Potomac Station, Broadlands, Beacon Hill, Rasberry Falls, Lansdowne, Leesburg, Town of Leesburg, Evergreen Mills, Sterling, Ashburn Villiage, Loews Island, Cascades, River Creek, Red Cedars, Ashburn Farm)
Prince William County (Haymarket, Gainsville, Bristow, Dominion Valley, Piedmont)

Maryland
Montgomery County (Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville)

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)9575 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Loudon Water and Affordable Lawn Sprinklers are collaborating to reduce the "peak demand" water usage by Loudon Water customers. Our goal is to resist setting every lawn sprinkler control box to water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 4-7 am. Working in a collaborate effort, lawn sprinkler companies are going to set the control boxes according to the last digit of their address.

Homes with odd addresses will water on Wednesday and Saturday.
Homes with even addresses will water on Thursday and and Sunday.
Commercial properties will water on Tuesday and Friday.
No watering on Monday to allow the water tanks to replenish.

For more info, please visit www.loudounwater.org.

Unique Lighting Training held at Atlantic Irrigation

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)9576 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Affordable Lawn Sprinklers had their service technicians attend a lighting seminar in Loudon County with Atlantic Irrigation on 24volt lighting systems for low voltage lighting. 24 volt lighting systems are reducing the amount of wire needed for lighting jobs. Instead of installing 5-6 lights per strand of 12/2, you can now look at using 14 gauge wire or even consider installing up to 13 35 watt lights for your low voltage lighting system.

Another benefit of this lighting system is you can run longer distances as well. Previously, most professional lighting companies used the cliche 200' and 200 watts, meaning, you could run a wire 200 feet away from the transformer and utilize 200 watts. Now you can run 300 and 400 feet runs without significant voltage loss.

Lastly, it also allows you to utilize a higher percentage of the transformers potential. Previously, we were all trained to use 80% of the listed capacity of the transformer. Now, these 24 volt low voltage lighting systems allow you use 90%.

The bottom line, it saves not only money but also copper which just makes sense.

Don't forget, we serve the following Counties: Loudon, Prince William, Fairfax and Montgomery.

Farmer's Almanac is calling for unusually dry spring!

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)9047 — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

Long-range Weather Forecast

Atlantic Corridor

Includes predictions for all or portions of Connecticut (Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury), Delaware (Bear, Dover, Hockessin, Newark, Wilmington), District of Columbia (Friendship Heights, Washington), Maryland (Baltimore, Columbia, Dundalk, Ellicott City, Silver Spring), Massachusetts (Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Springfield, Worcester), New Jersey (Edison, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson), New York (Brentwood, Hempstead, New Rochelle, New York, Yonkers), Pennsylvania (Chester, Levittown, Norristown, Philadelphia, Radnor), Rhode Island (Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Warwick), Virginia (Alexandria, Arlington, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond).

Despite a mild November, this winter will be colder and snowier than normal, with near or above-normal precipitation. The coldest temperatures will occur in mid-December, early January, and early February. The snowiest periods will be in early and mid-December, early January, early and late February, and early March.

April will be slightly cooler than normal, with near-normal rainfall. May will be very warm and dry.

Below-normal rainfall will continue through the summer, with the threat of a significant drought. The one benefit from a late August hurricane would be some much-needed rainfall. Temperatures will be below normal, on average, with the hottest periods in June and mid-July.

September and October will be cooler and drier than normal.

Detailed Forecast for the Next Two Months

February 2009

Avg. Temperature: 32.5° (0.5° below avg.)
Precipitation: 3" (1" below avg. north, 1" above south)
Feb. 1-4: Snow, cold
Feb. 5-7: Sunny, seasonable
Feb. 8-12: Snowstorm north, rain south
Feb. 13-18: Rain and snow showers, then sunny, cold
Feb. 19-24: Snow, then sunny, milder
Feb. 25-28: Showers, mild

March 2009

Avg. Temperature: 41° (2° below avg.)
Precipitation: 3.5" (0.5" below avg.)
Mar. 1-5: Rain to snow, turning cold
Mar. 6-8: Rain, seasonable
Mar. 9-14: Sunny, then snow, cold
Mar. 15-17: Sunny, seasonable
Mar. 18-22: Rain north, cloudy south; cool
Mar. 23-26: Rain and snow, cool
Mar. 27-31: Sunny, then rain, cool

Temperature and Precipitation
November 2008 to October 2009

Loudoun County raises water rate for third time

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)9062 — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Third of Three Rate Increases Becomes Effective October 1, 2008

September 29, 2008

Ashburn - On October 1, 2008, the 3rd rate increase of a planned three-year increase takes effect for Loudoun Water’s central system customers. Water rates will increase by 6 cents per thousand gallons while sewer rates will increase by 9 cents. The peak use charge will increase by 9 cents as well. Basic charges will remain unchanged. The main driver for the rate increase is the cost of operating Loudoun Water’s new Broad Run Water Reclamation Facility, a state-of-the-art treatment plant that reclaims wastewater to the limit of technology, for the protection of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. This facility began reclaiming water in June of this year.

The rate increase was originally voted on by Loudoun Water’s Board of Directors in July of 2006, when the first increase took place. That was the first time in 15 years that Loudoun Water raised water and sewer rates.

Customers who use an average amount of water each quarter (approximately 233 gallons per day per home) will see about a $3 increase in their quarterly bill for winter use and about a $5 increase for summer quarter bills. Shaving 8 gallons from daily water use each day could offset the difference.

Only Loudoun Water’s central system customers are affected by the new rates. This includes those customers who live in the suburban eastern portion of the county, generally east of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659), with minor exceptions. It excludes Loudoun Water’s Community Systems customers who live in hamlets or villages served by community wells.

reed@affordablelawnsprinklers.com (Blog Author)9050 — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

Loudon Water

Preferred Irrigation Contractor

Kickoff Meeting

Agenda

February 4, 2009

8:00 am Introduction/Public-Private Partnership: Samantha Villegas. Mrs. Villegas gave the kickoff to the meeting introducing Loudon's open arms to working hand in hand with Local contractors. Loudon's objective is to conserve water and reduce the peak demand water needs which often times are elevated due to Sprinkler systems being set Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3-10 am.

8:45 am Public Health Protection/Safety: Harry Heim, Zurn Wilkins: Harry discussed the reason for backflows and why they need to be tested annually. The RPZ is the chosen backflow for Loudon due to it being the most dependable with high hazard materials such as fertilizers. He also stated that Wilkins has a new backflow which will make servicing systems easier.

9:30 am Watering Techniques: Brent Mechum, Irrigation Association. Brent brings a tremendous amount of experience from his time in the West Coast. He reviews some water saving techniques such as regulating pressure on spray and rotor heads. He believes the area has sufficient water for irrigation but we need to use water more wisely.

10:15 am Break

10:30 am Product Review #1: Rainbird. Rainbird spoke about their ET control boxes and how they can save water throughout the year. They also make rotary nozzles which conserve water.

11:00 am Product Review #2: Hunter Industries. Rick Clelan has vast experience in irrigation and states how Hunter has some of the most efficient rotary nozzles in the industry.

11:30 am Product Review #3: Irritrol. Scott Duncan from irritrol points out how most of the water wasted in irrigation is from customers setting their control box for the driest days. He states their is a tremendous amount of water to be saved by adjusting the watering times throughout the year.

1:00 pm Adjourn

Town of Leesburg water pricing court decision!

blog@www.affordablelawnsprinklers.com (News Author)18784 — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Town of Leesburg has won a court fight to allow them to charge higher prices for out-of-town customers. Hank Silverburg at WTOP has the story: http://www.wtop.com/?nid=732&sid=2105872

-Carl