Big Properties, High Standards, and Another Day in the Treasure Valley

Yesterday was a pretty good day in the sprinkler blowout business. Things went smoothly, the crews made good progress, and we continued working our way through the thousands of requests we receive each fall.

Of course, a smooth day doesn’t necessarily mean an easy day.

Especially when Eagle is involved.

Everything’s Bigger in Eagle

Eagle has some beautiful homes and properties, but some of those irrigation systems are impressive enough to deserve their own ZIP codes.

A typical residential sprinkler system might have five or six zones. Some of the larger Eagle properties have considerably more, along with multiple controllers, additional hookups, and enough landscaping to keep a technician occupied for quite a while.

These aren’t necessarily difficult systems to winterize, but they take time. Every zone needs to be properly cleared, and larger systems require more attention than the average residential yard.

It’s not unusual to encounter a property where finding all the irrigation equipment takes almost as much detective work as performing the blowout itself.

And then there’s the occasional controller that hasn’t been labeled since the house was built.

Nothing quite like standing in front of a controller with twenty stations, wondering whether Zone 14 operates the backyard sprinklers or the neighbor’s swimming pool.

We plan our routes with these larger properties in mind, but they can still make for some long days.

The Search Continues

We’re still looking for additional experienced sprinkler blowout technicians to help us finish the season.

We’ve spoken with three or four prospective technicians recently, but none have met all the requirements and workmanship standards we’re looking for.

And we’re not willing to compromise those standards just to put another person in the field.

With more than 3,000 sprinkler blowout requests each season, our operation has to run like a well-oiled machine. Every technician needs to understand irrigation systems, operate the equipment properly, follow detailed routes, handle customer payments, and complete each job correctly.

They also need to be dependable, work independently, and have a suitable vehicle for towing our compressors.

That’s a fairly specific combination of qualifications, and finding the right people isn’t always easy.

We could probably fill the positions more quickly if we lowered our expectations, but that would defeat the purpose.

Our customers are trusting us to protect their irrigation systems from freezing temperatures. A poorly performed blowout can create problems that won’t become apparent until spring.

That’s not a gamble we’re interested in taking.

Apparently, We’re Asking for the Impossible

Finding a qualified sprinkler blowout technician this time of year is proving to be quite an adventure.

We’re not asking for someone who can perform open-heart surgery while rebuilding a transmission.

We just need someone who understands irrigation systems, shows up when they’re supposed to, follows instructions, and does the job correctly.

Apparently, that combination is more difficult to find than a properly labeled sprinkler controller on a five-acre property in Eagle.

And believe me, we’ve looked for both.

At this point, I might have better luck finding Bigfoot wandering around the foothills with a compressor hitch in one hand and an irrigation certification in the other.

Although, knowing my luck, he’d probably show up for an interview, tell me he’s got twenty years of experience, and then explain that his truck doesn’t have a hitch.

Or that he can only work every third Tuesday between 10:00 and 11:30.

Naturally, he’d want to start at $50 an hour.

Meanwhile, Back at the Shop

The work continues, and we’re making steady progress through the Treasure Valley.

We appreciate the patience of our customers as we work through the remaining requests. Our goal remains the same: get as many systems properly winterized as possible before freezing weather becomes a serious concern.

And while we’d certainly welcome a few more qualified hands, we’re not going to sacrifice quality just to increase the number of stops completed each day.

In the meantime, the compressors will keep running, the routes will keep coming, and I’ll keep trying to figure out how to squeeze another hour or two into a 24-hour day.

If anyone figures that last one out, please let me know.

I’d even be willing to share a Coke Zero.

Today’s Routes

Eddie — Boise 83713 with Blowzilla

West Charitan Street
Marlinwood Drive
West Tidewater Court
West Olympus Street
West Marlinwood Street
North Morrow Avenue
West Montana Avenue
North Bryson Avenue
North Lena Avenue
North Coolwater Avenue
West Abram Street
West Freedom Drive
West Goldenrod Avenue
North Tattenham Way
North Mirth Place
West Richey Court
North Buckboard Place
North Covered Wagon Way

Jesse — Boise 83704 with Orange Julius (OJ)

West Dalton Place
West Yaryan Drive
North Jennifer Street
Paulson Circle
North Marcliffe Avenue
North Samson Avenue
West Albany Street
West Edna Street
North Jullion Way
North Linda Vista Place
West Kampton Drive
Spiceland Drive
North Jeremy Avenue
West Marcum Court
West Holbrook Avenue
West Cornwall Drive
West Westchester
West Valley View Drive