Services > Design-Build > Installation > Maintenance > Auditing > Backflow Inspection/Certification

Irrigation Installation

We have recently expanded our conservation techniques by employing water harvesting and cistern technologies. Knight-Scapes employs water conservation techniques within all of our irrigation system installations and retrofits. We are a "Water Smart" certified contractor as designated by the James City Service Authority. We are in the process of becoming a "WaterSense" partner through the US Environmental Protection Agency, which will allow us to further utilize our proficiency with irrigation technologies and techniques.

At Knight-Scapes, we employ Certified Irrigation Contractors (CIC) as designated by the Irrigation Association. CICs engage in the preparation of professional irrigation designs and professional installations. When you hire Knight-Scapes for your irrigation project, you are hiring a team of highly trained CIC's that exceed industry standards, have passed comprehensive examinations used to test their knowledge of general and specialty irrigation topics, and agree to follow a strict code of ethics.

Knight-Scapes uses only the highest-quality irrigation products available in order to ensure system functionality and efficiency. We are a Rain Bird "Select" contractor, allowing us to offer their exclusive 5-year warranty. We also service and maintain any type of irrigation system including Hunter, Toro, and Irritrol.

There are four primary components of installation: Controllers, Sprinklers, Valves, and Sensors.

Controllers:

Controllers act as the brain of the system. They allow the user to manage operations, easily turn irrigation systems on and off, and manipulate preset procedures. The controller is easily set, giving the user the ability to select such which watering functions will occur at specific times on set days. Also, from the controller adjustments and bypasses can be made for seasonal changes and inclement weather. At Knight-Scapes we integrate electronic controllers into our systems that have the capabilities to meet the needs of water conscious landscape designs.

Sprinklers:

Spray sprinklers are dispersed throughout the lawn and in planting beds. Spray sprinklers installed in turf areas are designed to "pop-up" during watering and retract to below the turf line to allow for mowing and normal use of the lawn. Spray sprinkler bodies are available in various sizes for assorted tasks, aesthetic appeal, and protection during normal lawn usage.

Rotary sprinklers are larger devices that are used in open, uninterrupted spaces that allow water to be dispersed 25 to 30 feet or more. These heads typically "pop-up" during use and retract after operation in lawns and areas with high foot-traffic. Rotary sprinklers are available in fixed (non "pop-up") versions for use on risers in large planting areas.

Sprinkler nozzles are devices that water passes through as it leaves the head to be dispersed onto the landscape. Irrigators rely on different nozzles to vary the amount of water dispersed, the distance the water is scattered, and the direction in which the water is distributed. Nozzle selection may double or triple the amount of water delivered per minute over a given area.

Valves:

Zone valves are the mechanical devices that turn the water on and off to the individual sections of the system. Water meters and water service lines cannot provide enough water to water an entire yard at once, so the system is typically broken up into several individual zones or stations. The concept of "zones" also allows the professional irrigator to group areas based on watering need. Valves are typically installed near the area they water.

Sensors:

Sensors work on a simple principle: they will interrupt the electrical flow from the controller that would otherwise activate the valve. Sensors do not interfere with the controller's programming; however, they do determine whether or not specific programs will run in a given situation.

Rain sensors are the most common type of sensor and are typically included in every Knight-Scapes irrigation installation. Irrigation sensor units are mounted in a location exposed to normal rainfall, but outside the watering spray of the sprinkler system. Rain will trigger the device, causing the system to remain off during or after an event if sufficient precipitation is measured. Rainfall settings can be adjusted so light showers will not affect system operation in order to avoid eliminating scheduled watering when rainfall is not sufficient to make up for a normal application.

Services > Design-Build > Installation > Maintenance > Auditing > Backflow Inspection/Certification