FAQs

Frequently asked questions about sprinkler installation and repair.

Insured, licensed and qualified.
A 1 Sprinklers is licensed through the Utah DOPL, Department of Professional Licensing. In order to maintain our license through the State of Utah, all contractors must be insured. We are uniquely qualified in the installation, repair, and maintenance of sprinkler systems; the general manager has been in this business since 1979. We have had the phone # 801-266-2511 since 1984. Call us, we answer our phone.

When I turned off my main valve the tube fills with water, what’s wrong?

The stop and waste valve stop the new water from entering the system and acts as a drain to the water in the sprinkler system. A little water is normal but if it keeps running check these things.

The valve needs to be turned off all of the way to the right. When partially closed the valve allows new water to enter the system and flows out the drain hole.
Does the water stop running when you turn the valve back on?
If you know how to check your water meter see if there is movement.
Can you hear the water running from inside the home?

It is possible that the valve is bad and needs to be replaced. Before you have that done, call us and have it checked first. It is also possible that the main line is leaking.

What is a backflow and why do I need to have it tested?

Backflow laws have been on the books for many years but have not been strictly enforced until a few years ago in the Utah area. If you have a sprinkler system you will need a backflow soon. Enforced by your local water supplier they are required by EPA to have a program to have all customers protected.

How often should I water the grass?

Normal springs we don’t need to water until mid-May. After that one to two times a week, until the real heat comes and then three times a week on established landscapes, is normal. Small plants, new plants need water more often.

Why do I need to winterize my sprinkler system?

If you don’t things can freeze and break. The pipes and valves in the sprinkler system are usually shallow, Less than 1′ deep. In a typical winter in Salt Lake valley the freeze depth will exceed that. Anything that is not protected by a heat source will freeze and if it freezes hard enough will break causing flooding problems when it thaws out. The damage commonly happens in January and we see the results in late February. If it’s just the secondary pipes that break you may not see the damage until you turn the system on. Anything that has water in it above ground will freeze much sooner than below ground.

Can I winterize the system myself?

In most cases, the homeowner can turn off and drain the system themselves. We strongly recommend understanding the system first. If you had a system installed by A1 Sprinklers it is very easy and we will show you how to take care of it even if you don’t want to do it yourself. If your system was not installed by us we can verify and teach you how. See our page on How to winterize for more information. If your system needs to be blown out it is usually easier and cheaper to hire us to do it for you.

How do you charge for your services?

We charge for repairs by the hour plus parts. Our first hour starts when we get to your door. No travel time is charged, $130.00 for the first half hour (Min.) and $130.00 per hour after that. Example: If we are at your home for one hour, you would be billed for the first half hour at $130.00 and then $65.00 the next half hour for a total of $195.00 plus any parts we use.

For the Main Valve replacement, it is a flat $1,595.00 up to 4 feet deep unless quoted differently by our staff. We give a 3-year warranty on stop and waste valve replacements.

Do you give free estimates?

Yes, for new installs. We do not give free estimates on repairs. It is easy to give a price on a complete install because most things are known. On repairs, it is sometimes impossible to know what is wrong until you have dug up or completely repaired what is wrong.

Can you help me over the phone?

Often, if you can give us enough information. We know sprinkler systems very well but sometimes the picture you paint over the phone may not be the same as the picture we get. Your answer may also be found in our training videos.

How long does it take to get a repairman to me?

In most cases, we can have someone there the same day or the next. Depending on business volumes and the time of year it may be longer.

Can I set a Time?

Yes, the first appointments of the day can be set. We can set an arrival time of 7:30 or 8:30 A.M. We can also arrange to call 30 minutes before we send our repairman to your location. We do respect your time and do everything in our power to get there at a workable time to you. Our office staff works hard to accommodate your schedule.