There hasn't been much rain this month in the Treasure Valley, which is actually raining on my parade when it comes to sprinkler start-ups. We generally only get 150 or so sprinkler start-ups compared to nearly 1,300 sprinkler blowouts, but we usually have some serious rain showers to keep our yards green while we are making our rounds. Haven't had much in rain in the last 3 weeks to take some of the strain off. Fortunately, we are supposed to get some rain over the next several days, which is fine by me. I don't mind working in the rain, and it takes some of the "heat" off in getting systems going when lawns are getting watered "Au Naturel."
We have several systems that need dug up as well as backflow assemblies replaced, so we have been a little slow getting to our sprinkler start-ups. Also, our sprinkler start-up Package "B" can actually take longer than a sprinkler blowout, and since we do a lot less start-ups than blowouts we do not get as many done in a day as we do in the fall. Package "A", requiring just the turning on of the sprinkler system takes much less time to do.
One BIG thing that has slowed us down is those picking Package "A" for just a turn-on, and then asking us to check all their zones checked while we are there which is our Package "B". This has messed up our scheduling in a big way, and it isn't cost effective for us to just turn them on and then come back at another time to make adjustments, so we take care of them while we are there. Several of the start-ups left to do also are having their backflows tested, which are sometimes added in at the last minute as well.
We are at the point now where I can put a tentative schedule together on where we will be for the next several days along with the Package and number to do. See below:
- Saturday, April 28 – Meridian (Package "A" 8) (Package "B" 7) (15 Total)
- Sunday, April 29 – OFF
- Monday, April 30 – Zip codes 83713, 83714, and Eagle (Package "A" 6) (Package "B" 12) (18 Total)
- Tuesday, – May 1 – Caldwell, Nampa, Kuna, and Star ( Package "A" 3) Package "B" 12) (15 Total)
- Wednesday, May 2 – 83702, 83703, 83704, 83705 (Package "A" 1) Package "B" 12) (13 Total)
- Thursday, May 3 – 83706 and 83709 (Package "A" 2 (Package "B" 9) (11 Total)
Keep in mind this is only a tentative schedule, and could change if we run into system issues, or additional labor and material repairs while we are there like head replacements, timer replacement, etc. Also, we will be working in the major repairs we have as well while in the above areas. This will usually mean me taking care of the start-ups and adjustments while my assistant works on digging up main valves and doing major repairs.
I will be out of town May 4-6 for family business, so will continue where we left off on May 7.
Unfortunately, any repairs that are not sprinkler system related will have to wait until the week of May 7, which will include the last little bit we have on the ceiling drywall we are working on. The only exception is a water heater we have to replace for a property management company that somehow has to be put in the mix by May 3.
If you wish to cancel your sprinkler start-up service, you know the drill. Go here: http://treasurevalleyrepairs.com/cancellation.html
