Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Will an automatic sprinkler system use more water than I'm currently using?

A. It will actually conserve water. You'll never have to worry about runoff from over-watering or wasting water when you forget to turn off the hose. And, with a rain sensor, your system will know when it is raining and simply shut itself off when water is not needed.

Q. How much will a good sprinkler system cost?

A. The price of a system will vary depending upon many factors such as property size, type of landscaping and special designs. You can count on Total Turf Inc. to design a cost-effective system comprised of quality products. We also provide FREE estimates! (See our "Contact Us" page)

Q. When is the best time to have my system turned on or winterized?

A. Total Turf Inc. starts turning on systems in the beginning of April. The best time to turn it on is mid April thru May but it all depends on the weather and personal preference. Winterizations start in the middle of September and continue thru the month of October. Once there are freezing temperatures at night, parts of the system can freeze causing moderate damage.

Q. How often should I water and what is the best time of day to water?

A. Watering schedules depend on weather and soil conditions. In the Spring and Fall when the weather is cool and rainy, watering should be every 2-3 days. In the Summer, watering should be every day. In the event that there is a drought, grass needs to be watered every day in the morning and in the evening, if needed. Keep in mind, municipalities set restrictions on water use when there is a drought, even for those using well water.

Q. Can I use my well water to fill up my pool?

A. It can be done, but the quality of the water that comes out of your well may need to be processed with many chemicals before it would be considered swimmable. If you choose to do so, make sure to have your water tested by your pool company to see what kind of chemicals are needed.

Q. Is it normal for my well pump to kick on occasionally?

A. It is normal for a pump to cycle occasionally. When the cycling happens as often as every couple of minutes, there is probably an issue that needs to be addressed.

Q. I have a rain sensor, it rained and my system still came on. -OR- I have a rain sensor, it barely rained and my system still hasn't come on.

A. Rain sensors are meant to work simultaneously with your sprinkler system and are usually located on the roof near a gutter. On your systems controller/timer, there is a switch that has the ability to override the rain sensor. If it rained and that switch is set to the off or override position, the system will still come on as scheduled. If it hasn't rained in a few days and you haven't seen the system come on, if that switch is set to on or rain sensor, there might still be water in the rain sensor. Once the switch is set to off or override position, the system should come on.

Q. My water bill seems exceptionally high. Does my system have a leak somewhere?

A. In more cases than not, customer's water bills are right about where they should be. In the summer months, when the sprinkler system is being used at least once a day for several hours, the system uses quite a bit of water. One of our skilled technicians could let you know about how many gallons would be used over a given period of time to see if there might be a leak somewhere. Also, other than a leaking sprinkler system, a leaking toilet is a common source for high water bills.

Q. My sprinkler system has been stuck on the same zone and I can't get it to shut off. What can I do until Total Turf Inc. can get here for a service call?

A. If a certain zone is stuck on during the sprinkler system cycle then a valve is usually stuck open. When this happens, the only way to stop the system is to shut off the water source. This means turning off the city water to the system or shutting off the power to the pump, in the event that you have a well.

Controller, every year at turn on

Rain Sensor, when needed

Battery Changes