When most people hear that an irrigation system is 20 or 25 years old, their first thought is usually the same: “It probably needs to be replaced.” And sometimes that’s true. But not always. Over the past four decades working… Read More
Posts Tagged ‘smart irrigation’
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Smart Controller Brands Compared: Hydrawise vs. Rachio vs. Orbit
If you’re ready to upgrade from a basic sprinkler timer to a smart controller, you’re in good company. But once you start looking, you’ll quickly run into the top three names in the game: Hydrawise, Rachio, and Orbit B-hyve. All… Read More
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Fixed Spray vs. Rotary Heads: Which Water Better and Where?
If you’re thinking about installing a new sprinkler system—or upgrading an old one—you’re probably wondering: Should I use fixed spray heads or rotary heads? It’s a great question, and the answer can make a big difference in how well your… Read More
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What Sets a $7,000 Job Apart From a $3,000 Job
When homeowners ask me, “Bob, why do some sprinkler systems cost $3,000 while others cost $7,000?” I tell them the same thing I’ve told thousands of folks in Bowie, Bethesda, Annapolis, and Upper Marlboro: “Because the price tag doesn’t tell… Read More
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Why Watering at Night Is Killing Your Lawn
I get this one a lot: “Bob, I set my system to run at night so the water doesn’t evaporate. That’s better, right?” Sounds logical — but it’s actually one of the fastest ways to ruin your lawn. Here’s why… Read More
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The Hidden Costs I Warn Homeowners About Before We Start
When I walk a yard with a new homeowner, one of the most important conversations we have isn’t about sprinkler heads or smart controllers — it’s about the hidden costs that could surprise them later. Because when people think about… Read More
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From Hand-Digging Trenches to Smart Controllers: What’s Changed, and What Hasn’t
When I started TLC back in 1983, we dug every trench by hand. No fancy tools. Just shovels, sweat, and a wheelbarrow full of pipe. Back then, we’d run lines across front lawns in Bowie, Crofton, Glen Burnie — sometimes… Read More
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Above-Ground vs. In-Ground Irrigation: What I Tell My Neighbors
Every spring, it’s the same conversation — a neighbor will catch me by the mailbox or at the hardware store and say: “Bob, I’m tired of dragging hoses around. Should I get a real sprinkler system, or just stick with… Read More
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The Cheap Timer That Cost Me $900 — Why Smart Controllers Are Worth It
If you’ve ever been tempted to save a few bucks on your irrigation controller — I get it. I’ve been there too. Years ago, before smart tech became standard, I installed a budget controller on a test system at our… Read More
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We Nearly Lost a Customer Over a Brown Patch — And What I Learned About Listening
It was a Friday in early August — one of those humid Maryland afternoons where the sun bakes everything and your shirt sticks to your back the second you step outside. I was halfway through my schedule when I got… Read More