Category: My Blog

What is commercial AC Repair? It is a service provided by air conditioners and commercial heating companies. The most common types of these are refrigerators, air conditioners, and heaters. Air conditioners are used in businesses and offices and in homes and on occasions when the central heating system fails to perform. For example, it may be during the winter season or in scorching climates.

It is important to have commercial AC repair carried out on time because it not only delays the performance of your central heating but also prevents the breakdown of equipment and fixtures. This will be an added expense to your budget because you will have to pay for professional maintenance service. This is the reason why you must make regular checks on your heating and cooling system to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency. If you don’t want to spend money on professional maintenance, you can get in touch with professionals and have them carry out the necessary repairs on your behalf.

Most business owners understand that HVAC services are very important, and therefore they must have their devices repaired properly on a regular basis. They are aware that it costs much more to have a heating and cooling system repaired in house because of the additional costs involved. This is where hiring a professional in the field of heating and cooling makes a lot of sense. It saves money in house repairs, and if an emergency arises, then you don’t have to worry about the cost of repairing the device.

There are several things that you need to know about commercial AC repair and maintenance services. You must keep the device in good working condition at all times. You cannot leave it unattended because it could cause severe damage if the components stop functioning. If you are a business owner, you must hire heating and cooling technicians so that you don’t have to deal with expensive damages. Professionals from the different companies offer great services at affordable prices.

The most important thing about commercial air conditioning maintenance plans is that you should know how to identify the best professionals in the field. There are certain guidelines that you need to follow when you are looking for service providers. One of these is to check whether they are licensed or not. There are different license criteria for different states, so make sure you identify the one for your area. Check whether they belong to the Better Business Bureau because they are an institution that can help you identify fraudulent companies.

They have specialists who have the expertise to conduct various types of repairs and maintenance. Make sure that you only hire a certified technician so that you can be rest assured that your devices are in safe hands. These professionals know exactly which components of the heating and cooling systems need to be repaired and which ones require to be replaced.

On an ongoing preventive maintenance schedule, you should regularly assess the efficiency of the equipment and find out if it is working according to plan. If it is not, then you should consider replacing it with a better model. In addition to this, you should also consider hiring commercial repairs service providers to carry out the necessary repairs. Some technicians offer their services on a one time-payment basis, while there are those who charge you on a monthly basis.

It is always advisable to choose the right technicians who have the knowledge and expertise to carry out all necessary repairs and maintenance. This will ensure that your devices are running efficiently. If you hire the right professionals who perform preventative maintenance services, then you can save money and avoid unnecessary expenses. Therefore, it is very important to keep these tips in mind when you are planning to invest in air conditioning repair service.

Grinding concrete is performed on rough concrete surfaces to come up with a smooth, polished texture. It can be done whether the concrete is wet or dry. For some contractors, grinding wet concrete is better to avoid producing dust that could negatively impact the health of those around. Abrasive tools like a diamond grinder or angle grinder are used to refine concrete surfaces. 

It is important to grind concrete to support the smooth installation of top flooring. A rough or uneven concrete makes it hard for any alternative flooring to be installed on top of it. It prepares the concrete floor for the application of tiles or hardwood. A smooth concrete floor ensures the quality and longevity of the floor. Aside from getting rid of any imperfections and roughness, there are many reasons why you should grind your concrete surfaces. A pre-cast concrete project requires grinding the concrete surface while in concrete flooring, grinding is important to get rid of any remaining paint, epoxies, or damages. 

Grinding is not only done for the concrete floor, but it is also applicable to other types of concrete construction like walls, homes, buildings, walkways, and countertops. You can make any surface of your concrete look finer by grinding and polishing. If you are planning to polish your concrete surface, remove paint stains or uneven coatings, or simply prepare the concrete for an alternative finishing touch, it’s best to have the right tools and knowledge on how to do the work by yourself. Read the following details on how to properly grind your concrete and the tools that you will need in the process.  

Concrete Grinder 

A concrete grinder is a finishing tool that is used to grind and level the concrete surface that results in a smooth finish. There are three reasons why you should use a concrete grinder – extreme coating removing, surface preparation, and concrete polishing. A concrete grinder is different from grinders used for granite and marble as it is more sturdy and uses more power to provide greater sliding friction that is important for concrete. 

Meanwhile, a diamond grinder is a machine that is composed of sanding pads of different sizes anchored to the abrasive discs or rotating blades. This type of grinder, which is known as the “diamond”, also has diamond particles on it. This synthetic diamond differs in size, strength, and shapes. It is also is known in terms of grit sizes or grit numbers. This type of grinder made it possible to produce a surface that is almost close to marble to terrazzo-like appearance. 

5 Easy Steps To Grind A Concrete 

1. Read carefully and follow the ground rules for handling grinding tools or machines. Learn how it operates and the safety measures that come with it. Remember that concrete grinders are powerful machines. Knowing how to properly operate it helps you avoid any accident. 

2. Thoroughly check every part of the machine. Make sure that there is no damage to it, and all cables are plugged correctly. 

3. Once your machine or tool is all set, the next move is the prepare the concrete surface that you intend to grind. Check for any obvious cracks or humps. If you find one, you must repair it first. Also, if there are any existing coating or sealer remnants, stip them off before grinding. 

4. Once your concrete surface is ready, it’s time to use your concrete grinder. Work your way through it, polishing every corner. You can start from the coarser grit to finer grit, depending on your preferred outcome or finish. 

5. After grinding the entire concrete surface, the final step us to use your preferred sealant to cover and protect it from different elements like extreme weather, chemicals, oil, staining, and moisture. 

Concrete grinding is a straightforward task. The only challenge that comes with it is the proper handling of the grinder. The concrete grinder is robust and powerful therefore, proper handling and care are important while operating it. All in all, everything can be done even by an inexperienced person. 

Is there a moment in your life that you wanted to make your house more beautiful?  When concrete houses are being renovated, some concrete must be removed from some parts.  In order to make the best out of it, concrete may sometimes need to be replaced thus, making it necessary to break up. 

Dry concrete is not easy to remove. It may take a lot of force and a useful tool for you to break it. Since it is made to be a foundation, it is strong and cannot be broken easily. For this article, we will be discussing about tools that can help you to remove concrete.

There are many ways on how to remove concrete. That is because there are many tools that can be used to break up concrete. In particular, there are three tools that are known for breaking up concrete. You can rent it in stores or buy your own.

Rotary hammer

Rotary hammer is also known as a handheld jackhammer it is not a hammer drill.  In using this, the D-handle tool is the one that you need. Its bits that are used to effectively break up the concrete in smaller pieces is called irons. It turns a block of concrete into smaller amounts of concrete and knock over-pour surfaces. Rotary hammers are great for taking down concrete masonry units but need to be block by block. In some cases, a rotary hammer is also used for removing tile.

Digging bar

Digging bar is just a human-powered jackhammer. It is a blister-making tool. It can remove concrete or soft stone. It doesn’t just limit to that though, because it can also remove roots. Though this may come handy to use, digging hammer can create a fault line in concrete. That can actually be both a good thing and a bad thing. Since digging hammer can create fault lines in concrete, it is used as digging equipment. Though if it results in more damage than what is supposed to be removed, then it began to be a bad note. 

Sledgehammer 

Sledgehammer is mostly used in basement slabs in old houses if it were intended to make a drain. Though is really advised that this tool should never be used indoors. 

Expanding grout

If you prefer to not exert too much effort on the force, there is a chemical that helps to break concrete. Expanding grout basically just a helping agent for you to remove concrete in a much easier way. You may still need a jackhammer, of course, but just at least to effort for putting force is reduced. Just mix the mixture with water, pour it in the concrete that is intended to be removed, and wait for a few moments before starting to break up the concrete. With the expansion power of this chemical, the concrete breaks up more easily and on its own.

Definitely, there are many ways on how to break up concrete. You may just need money to be able to do it. If all of this is too much for you to handle, calling an expert to do it for you is a nice choice too. 

• 

Having frozen pipes is a big problem when it comes to sprinklers during the winter season. This happens because the water inside the sprinkler pipes are undrained before the winter season comes. If the pipes get frozen, the ice inside might cause damage to other parts inside the sprinkler. Or worse, the expansion of ice inside will cause it to rupture, which leads to huge expenses from repairs during springtime.

Which is why it’s crucial to winterize your sprinklers. Which leaves this question: how do we winterize sprinklers?

There are steps you need to do, and here it is:

1. Drain off the water inside the pipe.

Removing the source of the future problem is the key. There are two approaches to this method, in which it depends whether the sprinkler has an automatic drainage or not.

• Manual Draining

Begin by turning off the water supply for the sprinklers, and the backflow valves. And then, open up all the manual drain valves in the system. It will drain off most of the water inside the pipes and sprinklers. Why majority? It’s because the pipes can be moved from its original position over time, which will leave behind water that the manual draining cannot remove easily. Do step no. 2 if you did this mode of draining.

• Automatic Draining

Having automatic draining valves is a good idea when it comes to sprinklers. Simply turn off the water supply for the sprinklers and the backflow valves, and let the automatic draining valves do its work as the pressure in the pipe recedes. Also, open up the drain valve near the water supply valve and the backflow device to remove the trapped water there. If you have automatic draining valves, proceed to do step no. 3.

2. Blow off the remaining water in the pipe

If you did manual draining, you need to do this after removing the leftover water inside the system. However, caution must be exercised at using the air compressor since excess air pressure might cause damage or rupture to the sprinkler system. Before doing this, make sure the water supply and the backflow valves are still shut. Then, remove the plug of the blow-out port and connect the air compressor (preferably 10 CFM model, or if you have a different air compressor model, limit the air pressure to at least 40 psi) using a hose adaptor. Open up just one zone, then proceed to blow out the water at that zone. Release the air pressure once the sprinklers stop blowing out water. Change to another and repeat the process. Once completely finished, then seal the blow-out port again with its plug.

3. Insulate the exposed pipes and main valve

As extra insurance for the upcoming winter season, cover the main valve with a plastic bag and foam insulation tape and above-ground sprinkler pipes with foam insulation tubes. By doing this, these exposed parts can be protected from the severe cold temperatures brought about by winter.

And with that, your sprinklers are now ready for the oncoming winter season! If you think these tips have helped you winterize your sprinkler system, don’t hesitate to share this with others!

Stucco is one of the long-lasting options to design your home. It also serves a good siding for your home. However, it can also chip and crack due to bad weather conditions or accidents. Thus, repairing your stucco becomes necessary. 

If you found any minor crack in your stucco, repairs should be done quickly in order to avoid damage to the base wood lath and prevent water penetration. The question is whether to repair the stucco on your own or hire a pro to repair it for you. In order to help you with your decision, we will cover the average repair costs for stucco under different conditions. 

On average, stucco repairs can cost around $500 to $1,000. Your actual cost will depend on your location, the amount of damage or crack, the type and texture of the stucco you have, and if there is any additional painting or color-matching services. 

Repair costs factors 

Here are the most common stucco repair cost factors you have to consider. 

Inspection costs

To diagnose the issue, an inspection is necessary. For example, moisture reading included inserting small probes in suspicious spots to identify the amount of moisture in the wall cavity. Holes are culled over and resealed after the reading is finished. The estimated cost for the inspection is $500. 

Equipment costs

These include the cost for the materials needed for stucco repairs such as the mix, paint, gloves, eye protection, application tools, paintbrush, new weather barriers, and flashing, ladder, etc. The estimated cost for the materials is around $300 to $1,000. 

Contractor labor

Repairing stucco needs the expertise to ensure quality service and repair. The labor cost depends on your location and the complexity of the repair. The estimated cost for labor is around $400 to $1,000. 

Amount of the damage

Higher costs will be charged to bigger properties and more complex damages. The cost of this highly depends on the situation. 

Regular maintenance

Old stucco siding is a porous material that needs regular maintenance. Regular cleaning painting inspecting, spraying, and repairing will be necessary to prevent future failures. 

Health risk

The process of repairing the stucco makes the area prone to mold, mildew, and rotting wood. It also makes the home vulnerable to continuous moisture intrusion causing more mold. This causes a great health risk to the entire family. 

Future repairs 

This must be the top priority in assessing the repair cost since simple damage can cause all of the previous costs to repeat. For your peace of mind, some stucco comes with a warranty that could add a little to the cost. 

Resale value  

The stucco siding can affect the home’s resale value. A potential buyer often considers the appearance and quality of the stucco siding as a factor in whether to buy the house or not. 

Additional repairs

Additional cost for other damages related to your stucco wall is also considered. For example, if your house is suffering from a mold infestation, you will have to pay extra for this, which normally costs around $265 to $280. If you need to have another exterior stucco wall rebuilt, it may costs you around $1,300 to $1,700. 

Disclaimer: Repair cost varies widely and depends on many factors like the size of your property, location, etc. The estimated costs above are provided as a guide and reference. 

Most of the time, people buy a ready-mixed stucco but did you know that you can make your own mix? Using a few substances you can make a mix of stucco to use for your own home project. Below are the simple and straightforward method of mixing stucco. 

3 Ways to Mix Your Stucco 

Using a barrel mixer or a mortar mixer

There are two different types of mixers. The one which spins and typically used for concrete is called a barrel mixer. The second one has paddles for mixing the cement which is usually called a paddle or mortar mixer. 

A mortar mixer mixes up the base coat very well due to its paddles that whip the mud around. But careful not to use it for concretes are this type of mixer cannot handle rocks.

You can find the barrel type mixers at any home improvement stores but the variants are quite limited to nonexistent. However,  you can look up online to find a wide range of options with good quality and reasonable price. Just make sure that if you’re usually working with big surfaces, invest in a larger one that can handle a good amount of materials all at once.

Using a bucket, paddle, and a drill

This versatile mixing method is ideal for smaller applications. It utilizes a 5-gallon bucket and a special mixing drill with a mixing attachment. This can also mix up just about any type of stuccoes such as base coat, finish coat, tile grout, concrete, and epoxies. This one is less expensive than a barrel or mortar mixers. 

You can find this in any home improvement store or online. It is better to look online first due to a large selection of options and much affordable pricing. 

​Using a wheelbarrow and hoe

This mixing method works very well and is pretty self- explanatory. You can use mason’s hoes for mixing and spreading concretes, plaster, and mortar or you can also use a standard hoe or a shovel though they can be a little tougher and time-consuming. A wheelbarrow works better for mixing and has a less tendency to tilt in the process. 

Mixing the Stucco 

Step 1:

To mix the main part of your stucco, pour one five-gallon bucket of fine clean sand into your wheelbarrow. 

Step 2: 

Pour a gallon of hydrated lime into your wheelbarrow mix. Hydrated lime is a kind of lime that has been water treated to produce calcium hydroxide.  It is often used in gardens to help raise the pH levels. It also has a powdery nature so avoid breathing the airborne dust. 

Step 3:

Pour a quarter of Portland cement and stir the dry mixture well using your hoe. Make sure that you have achieved the right consistency before adding on water because each substance reacts uniquely when mixed with water. 

Step 4:

Slowly add some water. Simultaneously switch off your hose and mix everything together using a pushing and pulling motion with your hoe. If you still find some lump of dry powder, try adding more water and mix thoroughly. Just avoid pouring an excessive amount of water to prevent loose or watery mixture. Stir until you achieve the consistency of pudding.

Step 5:

Maintain the moisture of your mixture by sprinkling a little amount of water when you see that the mixture is hardening before you finish your application.

Hanging artwork on the stucco wall is quite challenging. When you try to hammer or drill a screw, it often chips and cracks when done improperly. If you want to save time, money, and effort, you must learn how to properly hang your decor on the stucco wall. Today. I’m going to show you how to hang a wall decor without using nails or tools on stucco. 

Tools for hanging outdoor wall decor without drilling   

You can choose among the following tools, which one is the most suitable for your current need. If you are hanging a painting or art decor that requires wire backing, an adhesive hook is a good choice. 

• Double-sided mounting tape 
• Adhesive hooks 
• Wire hangers 

Clean surfaces before hanging a wall decor if you are using a tool that sticks to the wall

Wipe clean the surface area where you intend to hang your object using water or rubbing alcohol. Allow it to dry. 

Measure and mark the point where you want to hang your decor

Determine the exact location where you want to hang your decor. Mark it using a pencil to avoid mistakes later on. Be sure to apply the adhesives on the right spot. It is better to stick the adhesive hooks properly the first time than to keep removing and reapplying it. 

If you are hanging large objects or frames that require wire backing, you may need to use multiple hooks. Make sure to carefully measure the surface especially if you will be using multiple hooks. You can use a tape measure, leveler, or ruler to see if the hooks are properly aligned. Hold the measuring tool against the stucco and check if the spots you marked are on an even or straight line. 

Peel off the adhesive backing and attach the hooks on the stucco wall 

Make sure to attach the hooks right at the spot you’ve marked with a pencil. Once again, adhesive tapes are often hard to remove so it is important to attach it right for the first time. Also, make sure to read the directions on your adhesive tape’s packaging to see if there is any specific instruction on how to properly stick your hooks to stucco walls. 

For heavy or bigger objects, you may want to add more strength to the adhesive. You can add a dab of hot glue right to the adhesive part before attaching it to the stucco. 

Hold and press the hooks against the stucco for a few seconds 

This is to ensure that it will stick very well to the stucco wall. You can hold and press the hook for around 30 seconds. 

Hang your decor on the hooks gently 

Finally, your hooks are good to go. You can now hang your decor on the hooks carefully. Although adhesive hooks may be strong enough to hold the object, you may want to gently anchor the object to the hooks so that they won’t slide off the stucco. 

Homeowners may choose different materials for their homes and other projects. Cinder blocks and cement blocks are quite popular. You have to clearly know their differences and advantages, so you can know which is best for you and what you need.

Composition

One of their major difference is their composition. Concrete is made of aggregates, which are commonly finely crushed stone or sand. It is the end product if cement and a filler component. On the other hand, a cinder block is actually a generic term for structural blocks. That means that they are made from different things. However, the term “cinder” was from back in the day, when people use to burn coal to heat their homes. 

Today, cinder blocks are composed of different aggregates instead of sand or gravel. They might use ash, coal, In some cases, they are the same size as concrete blocks. 

Weight

Concrete blocks are significantly heavier than cinder ones. That is mostly because of their hollow structure. Concrete is typically more compact. It is also because of the proportions of the aggregates and other materials in it. 

Strength

Of course, concrete is much stronger than cinder. You should know if it applies to the project you want to do. Never use a cinder block for in some places that require strength. An example is pavements or driveways that will have to carry a huge weight. 

Remember, you should follow building codes in any project you may have. It will ensure your safety and the strength and durability of your end product. 

Concrete and cinder blocks both have open cells, so they can get reinforced with metal or other materials. It is up to you to decide, just make sure that you consult a professional if it is about some serious project. Put safety as your utmost priority.

Durability

Cinder blocks are banned from many areas, especially because they will not stand up to elements. They can bend, and are prone to bowing and buckling. It does not even have a lot of tensile strength. It is best to reserve it for projects that will suit its properties and features.

On the other hand, concrete is efficient and has lots of advantages that it can offer. It is undeniably strong and long-lasting. Many houses and infrastructures built more than a hundred years ago are still standing today. It can stand up against many elements, even time.

Price

If you think that builders today will prefer concrete, then you are wrong. If the building code in your area agrees to it, then you may still use cinder blocks. Remember that whatever you do should adhere to the regulations of the area. Because of that, cinder blocks can get costly, because of demands in an area. They are also easier to lift, so many may still prefer them.

Do not forget to ask experts when you are planning on building something. It is also significant that you consider codes in an area and follow them strictly, to avoid any problems.

To begin any construction work, it is important to identify the amount of concrete that you need. You want to be as accurate as possible in buying the right amount of materials. You can find several concrete calculators online that say the same figures, but in an actual world, you may want to know the estimated number of bags that you need per yard or area that you will work on. Knowing the numbers or the exact mathematical computation per pound is not as practical as knowing the amount needed per bag or packaging. 

So how do you calculate the amount of concrete needed for any home or commercial projects? 

How many 80 pound bags of concrete does it take to make a yard?

Short answer:

45 bags. 

An 80-pound bag of pre-mixed cement and concrete is 0.6 cubic feet per the bag

Since there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, so the equation is 27 / 0.6 = 45

Long answer:

If you are amazed by a bit of mathematical computation, then read on. The first thing that you need to do is to determine the volume of the space that you want to fill. This is not as complicated at all. Filling out a concrete or chocolate ice cream cone is no different. Determining the volume is quite easy. Due to the amount of concrete needed for most construction jobs, it is best to measure the volume in cubic feet. But if your project is massive, then it is recommended to calculate the volume in cubic yards instead of cubic feet. 

To simplify things, whenever you hear the word cube, think of an ice cube. The ice cube has three sides – about the sides that touch the ice tray in your freezer. The simplest way to get the volume of an ice cube is the multiple these three sides. If you have a perfect ice cube, the width, length, and depth will be the same. For example, it will be 2 feet wide, 2 feet long, and 2 feet deep. Therefore, when these figures are multiplied, you will get a volume of 8 cubic feet. 

Refer to this formula: 

Volume = width x length x height (depth) 

Meanwhile, concrete slabs’ dimensions are not equal. They are not perfect cubes. That is why the computation is a bit different. If you have a slab that is both 2 feet wide and long, the depth or height unlikely to be 2 feet. It might be 4 inches in depth for an average concrete slab. Hence, follow this simple formula: 2’ x 2’ x 4”. But you cannot multiply feet by inches. You have to compute everything in the same units. So, after multiplying everything, simply divide it by 12. You’ll get the answer 1.3 cubic feet. 

Refer to this formula: 

2 feet x 2 feet x 4 inches 

2 x 2 x 4 = 16 / 12 = 1.3 cubic feet 

For filling a round hole in the street to install a post or mailbox, the equation for the volume is different from the cube or rectangle.

The formula for the volume of a round hole is: 

Pi r2 x depth 

3.14 x radius x radius x depth 

The width of the radius is the half portion of the round hole. But if you are not working on a big construction project, this will be easily calculated in terms of inches. 

If your round hole is 36 inches deep and 10 inches wide, the equation would be:

 3.14 x 5 x5 x36 /1728 = 1.6 cubic feet 

In case you forget the divisor which is 1728, just remember this formula: 12 x 12 x12 or simply the figure of cubic inches in a cubic foot. 

Now that we’re done calculating the volume, the next step is to calculate the number of concrete bags you will need to fill the round hole. When you walk into your local hardware store, you will usually see on the packaging or product label, how many cubic feet the bag can fill. This refers to the yield. The yield on an 80 pounds bag is about 6/10 or 0.6 cubic feet. Given the example mentioned above, the equation would be: 

1.6 / 0.6 – 2.7 bags 

The yield is almost always constant. You can use 0.06 yield on any calculation. 

Indeed, sprinklers are utilized for easy irrigation over a large area. It makes watering more convenient than manually doing it for a huge mass of land. For outdoor sprinklers, it can be prone to damage due to external factors. During the wintertime, frost and snow can cause damage to your sprinklers especially those that are uninsulated.

As the sprinkler system is prone to damage, it should be noted that the above-ground portions of a sprinkler system can eventually crack if not drained. Cracks can occur when water is not thoroughly drained. Hence, it can cause damages to the system due to the expanding ice. This makes repair deemed necessary. Also, water loss and erosion result from a broken sprinkler pipe.

During wintertime, it is the most susceptible season for sprinklers to possible experience damage. This is to ensure that you thoroughly drain your sprinkler system before winter comes. This can save you a fortune. Instead of minding about repairs in the future, it is best to avoid worst-case scenarios by being prepared beforehand.

Broken Sprinkler Pipe due to Freezing

For underground sprinkler pipes, it is situated under the soil to be insulated from cold temperatures. But for pipes that are above ground, these are the most susceptible and prone to leaks and cracks upon exposure to freezing. For pipes that are rigid such as that of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes, water has the potential to expand upon freezing. Since these pipes are rigid, it can create cracks and fissures due to the expansion of ice. For flexible pipes such as that of poly piping, which is used in drip irrigation, can still be prone to cracks and damage as it still have rigid zones in it. These rigid zones can be found in glued joints, but these joints are easy to locate. So crack or damage detection can still be easily done.

Avoid Freeze Damage

During winter time, irrigation is deemed unnecessary due to the weather. To avoid freeze damage, it is best to thoroughly drain the sprinkler system and switch it off as early as in fall.

Detection of Leaks

Leaks can be due to cracks formed on the pipes due to the expansion of water from freezing. For pipes situated above ground, leaks can be easily determined and pinpointed as it is obvious how there are water spurting out from a certain zone. When expansion of ice creates cracks onto the pipe, the unfrozen water will now spurt out from this cracked zone.

However for detecting leaks from pipes situated underground, it is more difficult to determine. But then, if the sprinkler system is pressurized when the break happens, a large wet area will be seen in the soil. The difference between a moist and wet soil from a dry one can determine whether there is a potential leak from the sprinkler pipes underground.

For those sprinkler lines that are not pressurized, these leaks will only be apparent when the sprinkler system is turned on. One can see that the spray volume is reduced, or even non-existent. There will also be a wet area formed in the soil to indicate the source of leakage.

Repair and Restoration Procedures

For pipes that were caused by freeze damage, it is deemed that it is not repairable. The best way to fix it is to replace the pipes. Moreover, any damaged section of the PVC pipe is opted to be cut out and replaced. To do this, cut a new piece of pipe shorter than the section removed. Splice it into the line with a coupling on each end. This procedure is called telescoping. Telescoping PVC couplings make the procedure easier as one end goes onto the pipe whereas the other end slides out to fit onto the other piece of pipe.