by Dave Underwood | Apr 14, 2017 | blog
Time for a multiple choice pop quiz: Complete this quote:
“This spring, I would like to spend my free time:
A) Dragging the garden hose from the shed, struggling to straighten the kinks, and guesstimating the most efficient times to water my lawn.
B) Relaxing in a lawn chair with my favorite beverage, a good book, and green grass stretching in front of me as far as the eye can see.
Experiencing a bit of exam anxiety? No worries. Simply review the following four benefits of having an automatic irrigation system before selecting your final answer.
Automation: Aside from meeting with the irrigation contractor, paying the bill, and flipping a switch – an automatic system requires no manual exertion. You don’t even have to be home when your lawn is watered.
Cost effective: Automatic irrigation systems provide water to your lawn exactly where and when it is needed, which cuts down utility bills significantly, and offsets the initial cost of setup. In fact, automatic sprinklers ultimately end up paying for themselves within years, and can even boost your property value.
Efficient: Perhaps the most appealing benefit of an automatic irrigation system is that it conserves water. Say goodbye to dry patches and thoroughly watered sidewalks or driveways. Automatic systems provide precise coverage, eliminating concerns of over or underwatering your lawn. Timers can be set for daily or weekly watering, and at times of low evaporation. Additionally, “smart” moisture sensors can be installed for many systems. These measure precipitation rates in real time, and activate only when your soil is dry.
Professional installation and routine maintenance: Many irrigation contractors now use a vibratory plow for swift installation and minimal disruption to a lawn that leaves virtually no trace that the soil was even disturbed. A professional contractor will also provide crucial winterization services – blowing all water out of your pipes and sprinkler heads prior to winter each year, and will subsequently offer spring startup and other routine inspections.
Could your lawn benefit from an automatic sprinkler system? The answer should be clear. If you still have questions, however, call our specialists at Chesapeake Irrigation & Lighting. One of our qualified designers can visit your property to estimate your specific needs and implement a plan that is perfectly suited to your landscape design.
by Dave Underwood | Mar 27, 2017 | blog
The Crossbar der Biergarten at 18 E. Cross Street in Federal Hill recently – finally – received its liquor license transfer, following four years of ups-and-downs. By the end of March, however, Baltimoreans and other assorted beer lovers should be able to indulge in two separate floors of German and local craft beers.
What some news reports decline to mention, however, is that the restaurant’s centerpiece – a large and vibrant fig tree, shipped from Florida and planted in the midst of the main dining room – will also have its thirst quenched, consistently, courtesy of our crew at Chesapeake Irrigation & Lighting.
Crossbar – the brainchild of partners Brian McComas, Josh Foti, and Brett Austin – was originally intended as an open-air space, merging four previously vacated properties spanning 12-18 E. Cross Street in Federal Hill. When that plan was denied, however, an enclosed version of the beer garden ultimately became the reality – this one with a 36 foot glass ceiling that not only fosters an outdoor sensibility, but provides an abundance of light for the aforementioned fig tree.
The only question left was – “Who is going to water it?”
The answer? Automation. To avoid the need for awkward tree maintenance in the middle of bustling waiters and diners enjoying plates of spätzle and bratwurst, our team was brought to install a contained, automated irrigation system for one. It was a small, but wholly unique job – and Chesapeake is honored to have done its part to keep things lively at Federal Hill’s newest watering hole.
by Dave Underwood | Mar 10, 2017 | blog
Before long, both commercial and residential property owners desiring growing, green lawns this spring will be shopping around for the ideal irrigation contractor.
Does such a thing exist? It’s hard to say. Ideals vary from consumer to consumer. However, the real question should be: is your irrigation contractor honest? Are they reliable? Do they stick to their word, and can they deliver on-time, within budget, and with little interruption to your day-to-day existence? When the project is complete, do they follow-up to ensure your satisfaction?
If you are looking to have an automatic sprinkler system installed on your property, here are three additional, important questions to ask prospective contractors:
- Are you licensed and insured? Many cities and municipalities require distinct permits for various landscaping projects. Avoid fines and court fees by ensuring that your contractor will secure all necessary permits long before the digging begins. Professional contractors should carry sufficient insurance to protect themselves and their clients from injury and harm. Additionally, you will want to inquire about the prospect’s certifications, which show that the contractor is current with industry standards.
- Do you provide a scale drawing depicting sprinkler head placement, lateran and main lines, and zoning, etc.? These precise schematics are commonplace throughout the industry, and help to ward off potential damage to pipes, lines, and fittings as any additional construction or yard work is completed in and around your landscape. For this reason, it is important to obtain a final copy of this detailed plan for your records after installation has been completed.
- What are the warranty details? What is covered in terms of labor and parts? Find out what brand – or brands – of materials your contractor intends to use, as each individual part should come with its own warranty through the manufacturer. Industry standard is one year for parts and labor. Most manufacturers provide a “to the trade” warranty on products for up to five years. Chesapeake extends that warranty to the client, whereas most contractors do not. You should also inquire about winterization service, which is often provided free of charge during the first year, as well as the following spring’s start up and evaluation.
Be wary of contractors who offer everything and more, particularly if they offer a “to good to be true” price tag. Some catch-all companies absolutely have the goods to back up their claims. Others simply make promises that they can install your automatic sprinkler system, mow your lawn, mend your fences, and groom your dog all at the same time simply to get their foot in the door. Make certain that the contractor you hire has the tools, the time, and the crew to properly fulfill his or her primary objective.
When in doubt, ask for referrals. Check references. Visit previous work sites whenever possible. An automatic irrigation system is a substantial investment. Make sure your decision to hire doesn’t leave you all wet.
At Chesapeake Irrigation & Lighting, our specialists can provide an accurate assessment of your specific irrigation needs and implement a plan perfectly suited to your landscape design.
Contact us today to schedule a free estimate for your irrigation or outdoor lighting needs.
by Dave Underwood | Feb 24, 2017 | blog
Incandescent bulbs for your residential landscape?
More like inconsiderate, am I right?
Homeowners who operate sizeable lighting systems in their yards know all too well the hassle and frustration of incandescent and halogen lamps that repeatedly conk out – often within weeks or days of being installed.
They’re power leaches too, racking up substantial utility bills that far outweigh their efficiency. And they’re potentially dangerous, generating sufficient heat to cause injury to an overly-curious child or distracted adult.
If the aforementioned concerns and complaints sound familiar – perhaps you’ve uttered the same to yourself once or twice – it may be time to consider an LED retro fit for your home and garden.
Retrofits involve converting older or outdated lighting systems and bulbs in an effort to boost light output, emit less heat, and ultimately save energy.
LED (Light Emitting Diodes) are the predominant choice for such renovations, as they have been proven to be 80 percent more efficient, and at least 10 times more durable, than traditional bulbs.
Because the implementation of LEDs reduces electricity usage, a retrofit can actually save property owners money in the long run, offsetting the upfront cost of installation and boasting a staggering Return on Investment in approximately 2-3 years. What’s more, LEDs have tallied upwards of 50,000 hours of use. That means users will probably never need to replace them.
Additionally, most cities and states offer utility rebates, an incentive for properties to make the switch and opt for an LED retrofit.
The praises of LED lighting have long been sung. Here are just a few of the benefits:
- Improved aesthetics
- Increased security due to continuous home illuniation
- Energy savings of almost 80 percents
- Virtually maintenance-free
- Reduced carbon footprint
- No hazardous waste
- Longer-lasting bulbs
- Higher quality light
- Cooler to the touch
- Warranties of up to 10 years
- Eligibility for tax rebates, as well as utility and local incentives
LEDs are expected to make up more than 70% of the lighting market within the next four years, and a professionally-installed LED retrofit can prove to be more cost-effective than a complete lighting overhaul.
Chesapeake Irrigation & Lighting can assist by upgrading landscape lighting fixtures that are already in place, swapping out lamps and ballasts, updating your outdoor lighting controls, incorporating wireless technology, and much more. If you’re interested in shining some new light on your property, contact us today!
by Dave Underwood | Dec 12, 2016 | blog
As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, many property owners have begun mapping out their exterior holiday lighting plan, making peace with the fact that they will soon be untangling indiscriminate wads of mini bulbs, before hauling them up a stepladder to a frosty and unstable perch.
Holiday lighting does not have to be an arctic horror show, however. Thanks to advances in technology and landscaping ideology, an abundance of options are available to home and property owners that fully capture the warmth and serenity of the holiday season.
This season, consider the following holiday landscape lighting alternatives:
- Pathway lights can create a festive or solemn tone, while guiding your guests to hearth and home. A number of different options and arrangements are available to light your way.
- Create a sense of awe and majesty with strategically placed tree uplighting. Grounded lamps can cast subdued holiday hues of blue, green, silver, and gold into the branches of your evergreens for a truly magical effect.
- Flood and/or spotlights can accentuate seasonal greenery, as well as landscape mainstays such as shrubs, decorative plants, and the stark, winter stillness of trees that recently shed their leaves.
- Emphasize entrance and porch lighting, and use it as a showcase for evergreen wreaths, topiaries, strings of garland, and more.
- String lights, of course, are a favorite this time of year, and can be a great way to set a mood and draw attention to certain features of your home (yes – like the edge of your roof, but also spiraled around the trunks of trees or porch columns.)
- Remember,when setting up this year’s holiday landscape lighting scheme, LEDs save energy, are more durable, and can reduce the cost of your outdoor display by up to 80%.
Chesapeake Irrigation & Lighting has been making landscaping dreams a reality for more than three decades. If you have a particular winter wonderland in mind, or are just in the dark about where to start, give us a call at (410) 987-2969.
by Dave Underwood | Sep 19, 2016 | blog
It’s hard to believe, given the considerable heatwave the
Mid-Atlantic has endured over the last few weeks, but winter is merely months
away.
If your commercial or residential property is equipped with an automatic
irrigation system, the time to prepare for any potential deep freeze isn’t with
the first sign of snow or ice – it’s now.
Irrigation system winterization in advance
of cold weather is imperative to maintain optimal functionality and to ensure your
property enjoys vibrant, well-maintained lawns next spring.
In Maryland, when temps drop drastically, the ground can freeze. If
that cold snap extends beyond the depth of your irrigation system, any water remaining
in the pipes can freeze, expand and crack, causing extensive damage to piping. Frozen
water can also cause irreparable damage to fittings, valves, and sprinkler
heads, as well as your system’s brass backflow assembly, which serves the
critical role of preventing contaminants from seeping into your home or
building’s tap water supply.
Proper care can help you avoid costly repairs or – worse –
replacement.
Irrigation system winterization can be a
time-consuming proposition, however, and is not without its challenges. Hiring
a professional to evaluate your system and make the necessary adjustments is strongly
advised.
A qualified irrigation specialist will likely perform the
following steps to winterize your system.
- Shut off the main valve. This cuts off the water supply
to all pipes. A specialist will also make sure that the valve, itself, is
protected against the elements.
- Shut off system controller or
timer. Most
automatic systems have a “rain” setting, which will preserve your programmed
settings come springtime.
- Drain pipes. Many irrigation professionals
use the “blow out” method to remove water from pipes, which involves connecting
a compressor to the system and using pressurized air to blast any lingering
water from the lines. This method is widely regarded as the most effective, and
a professional can generally have the job completed in less than an hour. Clearing
lines with pressurized air can be hazardous, however, and requires extreme
caution.
In addition to having the properly calibrated machinery for the
job, hiring a licensed professional for your irrigation
system winterization needs is, by far, the best – and most
time-efficient – option. Chesapeake
Irrigation & Lighting has designed, installed and maintained
thousands of residential and commercial irrigation systems throughout Maryland
& DC, and our knowledgeable team aims to please. Call us today at 410-987-2969
to schedule your winterization appointment.
