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How To Adjust Sprinkler Heads

A home irrigation system is a great way of automatically watering your garden, particularly the lawn area in your outdoors. You won’t have to manually use a hose to water the green area in your garden. It eliminates the hassle of going through a manual process of watering your plants daily. Therefore, it can save you a lot of time and energy. However, most homeowners are not comfortable using a home irrigation system as they do not have any idea how to operate and properly care for it. 

The home irrigation system seems complex for homeowners who use it for the first time. A sprinkler head is just a small part of the complex system, but understanding how to maneuver and adjust it is crucial for every homeowner. A properly adjusted sprinkler head ensures that the garden receives an equal amount of watering, and it prevents over spraying in one spot. Taking the time to learn how to adjust your water irrigation system at home is important. Good thing is that anyone can learn it in no time. It’s easier than you think.

In this article, we will cover the ways on how to adjust different types of sprinkler heads to achieve the right spraying process. Some sprinkler heads are very simple that you can adjust them with your bare hands, while some sprinkler heads that have clamps require you to use basic tools like a set of pliers or a flathead screwdrivers. 

Why It Is Important To Adjust The Sprinkler Head 

Adjusting the sprinkler head in your water irrigation system is very important to make sure that the system can properly deliver its function, which is to spray an equal amount of water in your lawn. Any garden or lawn will benefit from a properly adjusted sprinkler head because if the water is evenly distributed, the lawn will surely get the right nourishment and watering. Overwatering or underwatering the lawn is not advisable. If the sprinkler head is not adjusted properly, it may cause some areas of the lawn to store a pool of water and some areas to dry. 

Adjusting A Sprinkler Head Spray 

There are different types of sprinkler heads. Some of them are not adjustable, while some are designed to have a specific spraying pattern. You will know if it is an adjustable sprinkler head if it has a screw in the middle. 

In most sprinkler types, adjusting the head is a simple and straight forward task. Simply look for the screw in the center top of the spray nozzle. Tighten or loosen the adjustment screw by using a screwdriver. Usually, if the issue is over-spraying, you simply have to lessen the amount of water pressure by turning the screw clockwise. On the other hand, if the spraying pressure is low, turn the screw in the opposite direction. You can also adjust the screw to point in the direction of where you want to spray on your lawn. 

Adjusting A Hunter Robot Head 

To increase or decrease its arc and direction of the spray, you need to use a hunter adjustment key. 

If you want to increase the arc of your hunter rotor head, look for the adjustment socket at the top of each sprinkler head and insert the plastic key. Then turn the adjustment wrench clockwise in a 360-degree motion. Each turn increases your arc by 90 degrees. Do it until you reach the desired level of adjustment. You can turn the adjustment wrench up to a maximum of a 360-degree arc. At this level, you can no longer turn the wrench further. 

However, if you want to decrease the arc, just turn the adjustment wrench in a counter-clockwise direction. In every turn, the arc will decrease by 90 degrees until it reaches the minimum arc which is 50 to 40 degrees. This measurement may vary depending on the model of your sprinkler head. Decreasing your arc is important to prevent overwatering or spraying on areas like sidewalks, walkways, and other areas in your property where you don’t want to water. 

Adjusting A Signature Rotor Head 

If you have a signature rotor head, a different procedure is necessary to adjust the spray. This type of rotor has a unique system of click-set disk and memory rings to manage arcs and spray radius. Therefore, in order to access these parts, you have to remove the caps of each sprinkler head. 

To adjust the memory disk, simply use small plastic protrusions or collars to program a new spray point. If you want to increase the spray radius of the sprinkler head, just take off the black click-set disk and adjust the sprinkler manually according to your preference. From here, you can adjust its collars to the preferred angle. This is important if you want to make sure that you are not over spraying or spraying the restricted areas of your outdoor. 

But if your signature rotor sprinkler head is not giving you an even spray, you have to adjust the spray by just letting the black side of the click-set disk turn upwards and avoid adjusting any collars. This set up is great for sprinklers that are installed at the center of the garden or lawn as it can evenly water the entire area without reaching the walkways or sidewalks. 

After learning how to properly adjust your home irrigation system’s sprinkler head, your lawn can now have an even coverage of watering throughout the year while reducing the risks of over spraying or under spraying. 

What Is The Best Insulation For Under A Concrete Slab

Some areas of the house undergo extreme temperatures, depending on the time of the day and location. Basement and attic are some of these spaces that can be extremely hot or cold. To manage the room temperature in these areas, proper insulation is necessary. If your basement is made up of concrete slab, you might be wondering what is the best insulation for this area. 

Importance Of Proper Home Insulation 

Insulating the concrete slab spaces in your home comes with three main benefits – heat loss prevention, moisture prevention, and providing comfort to the residents.

Insulating your basement is beneficial for you and your family in many ways. It can prevent heat loss in your home. During the coldest season of the year, one of the challenges of any homeowner is to retain the heat inside their homes. If some areas of their home are not insulated, the heat easily escapes, causing their HVAC system to work harder. This could spike their electricity bill, as a result. A basement is a place in your house that accounts for almost one-third of the heat loss in the house. A good insulation system is important to reduce heat loss, elevate home comfort, and conserve electric energy. 

Insulation also helps in protecting your concrete from moisture. Although concrete slabs look solid and strong, it is porous. The moisture from the ground can easily seep into these pores, causing unwanted molds, mildew, or water damage. Any material coverings of the concrete slab, like carpets or vinyl, will also be affected or even damaged by this moisture. 

Additionally, insulation provides a comfortable feeling to the occupants of the house. If you want to the highest level of comfort, you may install radiant heating mats before attaching your finished floors. 

Insulating Under A Concrete Slab 

Insulating areas under a concrete slab like the basement of your home or building is important as heat is also lost through these areas. Placing an insulation barrier and a vapor barrier between the concrete slab and the ground underneath is great in maintaining the warm air and protecting the space from unwanted moisture. 

How To Select the Right Insulation For Your Space 

So which insulation is best for buried foundations and under concrete slabs? Read the following pointers on how to choose a cost-effective and high-quality insulation type for your project. 

Look For Long Term Thermal Performance

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) are two of the strongest foam insulations that are most popular in below grade and under concrete slabs. Both of these insulations are closed-cell, yet their performance differs over a long period. 

Extruded polystyrene (XPS) posses a higher initial insulating R-value and has the same density and thickness as EPS, but its R-value depletes over time. R-value refers to the resistance value or the capacity of insulating materials to resist temperature flow. An insulating material that has a higher R-value has a higher insulating capacity. 

On the other hand, expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a more consistent type of insulation material because it does not undergo any thermal drift. Its reported R-value also stays the same over the years. 

R-value is one of the critical factors in choosing the right insulation for your space. A decreasing R-value translates to lower thermal capacity over time, therefore expanding the heating and cooling energy, and eventually the cost for the electricity. 

The best way to check the insulation’s long term thermal performance is to read the warranty. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) manufacturers usually cover the warranty 100 percent of published R-value for 20 years. While most extruded polystyrene (XPS) commonly includes only up to 90 percent of the published R-value in the warranty. This is to consider the R-value degradation that will occur in the long run. 

Verify Minimal Long Term Moisture Absorption 

Aside from the R-value factor, long term moisture absorption is another important thing to consider in foam insulations. Rigid foam insulations vary in their rate of moisture absorption and drying capacity. If the insulation material is wet, it degrades over time and provides less thermal protection.  This is something to consider since most insulation materials are installed below grade and often in contact with wetted soils. 

When it comes to moisture absorption, EPS performs better because it can dry quicker. This feature helps the EPS to be protected from repeated moisture exposure. But XPS posses a stronger capacity for moisture absorption. There are studies found that XPS insulation installed below grade for several numbers of years had absorbed 67 percent of ground moisture. That’s more significant capacity for moisture absorption compared to the EPS.

Look For The Right Compressive Strength

Ensure that the rigid foam insulation is not over-engineered before installing it under concrete slabs. This can help you save on costs over time. The issue with over-engineered insulation foam is that engineers frequently use an extremely conservative method for insulation under concrete slabs. These people assume that point loads applied to a slab distribute to the insulation in a triangular load path, but in actuality, concrete slabs load more uniformly. Therefore, the insulation does not necessarily need a high compressive resistance.

XPS product has an overly conservative design approach, while an EPS is more cost-effective and carries adequate strength. Considering the XPS is more expensive than EPS per inch, this is wasted money for any project. 

Conclusion: 

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulations outperform extruded polystyrene (XPS) in terms of long term thermal resistance and long term moisture absorption. Aside from that, EPS has a different variety of compressive strengths applicable to almost every construction project. Lastly, EPS has the highest R-value per dollar making it a more cost-effective choice. 

How To Cap A Sprinkler Head

Capping a sprinkler head refers to the act of removing it to protect the sprinkler from any damages that extreme cold weather may bring. This is a common practice for homeowners who reside in places that freezes and requires winterization in their irrigation system. Winterizing is a process of draining or blowing water out of the sprinkler system using compressed air to avoid freeze damage. During the cold season, capping is a necessary precautionary measure to ensure and maintain the functionality of your sprinkler system. 

Aside from cold weather, another reason to cap your sprinkler head is when you have two or more of them installed in the same zone that is too close together. If this is the case, it may cause overwatering to your lawn. Take off the sprinkler cap and replace it with a flat cap. This will block the water from spraying or flowing from the sealed head. You can do this if you have several sprinkler heads installed in one zone. Just keep one functional sprinkler head and seal off the rest. You can go for this option of blocking excess sprinkler head, or you can completely remove the sprinkler head and cap it with a PVC pipe cap. 

Placing A Flat Sprinkler Cap 

1. Buy a sprinkler cap that matches your system. Your existing sprinkler system comes with flat plastic caps or plugs that match your sprinkler head. If you can still find it, you can use it instead of buying a new one. This cap blocks the water from being blown out on your lawn. 

2. Switch off the water connected to the sprinkler system. Find the valve that connects your sprinkler system to the water supply. Rotate it clockwise to turn it off. It is important to prevent the water from running while you’re doing the capping. 

3. Clear the dirt surrounding your sprinkler head. You may use a gardening shovel to dig about 1 to 2 inches hole around the sprinkler head. Place the soil or dirt on the side where you can easily access it later to fill back in. It is important to clear the dirt from the top of the sprinkler head to prevent it from entering the sprinkler when you remove the head. 

4. Take off the cap of the sprinkler head. Rotate it in a clockwise direction to loosen and eventually detach it. If you find it hard to remove the cap using your bare hands, you may use a pair of pliers to loosen the grip. 

5. Place the new cap into the sprinkler head. Whether you’re using the original plastic cap that comes with your existing sprinkler system or a newly purchased cap, it doesn’t matter as long as it is properly placed at the top of your sprinkler head. Just make sure that it is attached tightly. 

6. Put back the dirt or soil you set aside, refilling the hole as it is. Then turn on the sprinkler system. Firstly, turn the water supply valve in a counterclockwise direction and switch on your sprinkler system. Observe the sprinkler head you capped. Water shouldn’t be flowing or spraying from the capped sprinkler. 

Capping With PVC Pipe 

1. Turn off the sprinkler system’s water source. Look for a blue valve that connects your water supply and your sprinkler system. Turn it on a counterclockwise direction to turn it off. Forgetting this step will cause the water to spray while you’re removing the sprinkler head. 

2. Dig a deep hole around the sprinkler head. Using a gardening shovel, dig a 5 to 6 inches hole and place the dirt on the side so that you can refill it later. 

3. Detach the sprinkler head. Your hole must be deep enough to show the base of the sprinkler head. Grip the long stem of the sprinkler head and rotate it counterclockwise to loosen and eventually remove it. 

4. Screw a PVC pipe cap directly into the sprinkler system. Make sure that your PVC pipe cap matches the pipe in your sprinkler system. Put the cap on the threads and rotate it counterclockwise to fix it into the sprinkler. 

5. Refill the hole with dirt. Turn on the water source and the sprinkler system. Check the capped sprinkler system. Water shouldn’t be coming out from it. 

What is Stucco on Frame

The exterior walls of a house can have different types of finishes such as wood, brick, vinyl, stone, or stucco. Stucco is another common finishing material that has been used for centuries from the era of Greek architectural design up to the modern days. In the U.S. it is also known as the “exterior cement plaster”.  It provides a durable finish and an aesthetic beautiful wall surface. 

Stucco is basically a porous, thin layer of concrete which over time can develop small cracks if water penetrates through the insides. This problem compounds in rainy areas with high winds. The wind brings pressure on the exterior surface which pushes the moisture or water through the surfaces of stucco. Thus, a reliable stucco finish should incorporate a way for water to escape from behind its surface. Take note that if the stucco has already an existing leak, applying paint over won’t cure the damage. 

Stuccos are popular covering for walls and ceilings. It is usually applied to masonry walls, brick, concrete or concrete block, but it can also be applied to wood-framed walls. If done properly, a stucco wall on wood sheathing is also attractive and long-lasting.

Wood frame wall or light-frame construction is a group of dimensional lumber or engineered wood lumber that is equally spaced and attached together using nails to create a wall. Stucco can also be installed in this type of framing. 

How to Install Stucco Over a Wood-Framed Wall

Step 1: 

Prepare a wood-sheathed wall for stucco. Install a moisture membrane and attach it to the wood sheathing using a construction paper. If there is any window or door, place a metal flashing surrounding it. Nail it to the sheathing using a hammer and galvanized nails. Shield the wall with metal lath, securely nailed at stud locations using galvanized nails. Put weep screed below the lath at the bottom part of the wall to capture any moisture that gets behind the lath and let it drain. 

Step 2: 

Mix the stucco scratch coat. You may check the package for instructions on how to properly do it. Using a rectangular mason’s trowel, spread the stucco over the lath with ⅜ to ½ inch thickness. After it starts to set with the notched edge of the trowel, horizontally scratch it to form depressions that will hold the second coat. Let it sit for 48 to 72 hours while keeping the moisture level up. You can use a garden hose to occasionally mist it with water. 

Step 3: 

Mix more stucco with a little more sand in it to form the brown coat. Spread it over the scratch coat using a trowel with ¼ to ⅜ inch thickness. Screed it with a long straight board move along its surface to smoothen it. Let it dry for a while misting it with water periodically. 

Step 4: 

Apply the finishing coat of stucco using a mason’s trowel with 1/16 to ⅛ inch thick. Slightly dampen the brown coat with water first. You can finish this coat with any preferred texture. Let it dry while hydrating like the previous coats. 

What Is The Difference Between A Cinder Block And Concrete Block

Cinder blocks and concrete blocks have some fundamental differences that can be traced down to their core ingredients. At first glance, it’s hard to determine their differences due to their shared fundamental properties, but a closer look could help us point out their utmost differences. Most often, people interchange the two, thinking that they are alike. This misconception arises from the fact that at first glance, the differences are covert. Even though similar materials are used in their construction, the cinder block has extra material on it. 

In this article, we will define the differences between a cinder block and a concrete block. 

• Concrete is a mixture of cement, aggregates, and water. When these materials are combined, a chemical reaction occurs, and the concrete is formed as a result. 

• Concrete blocks are precast concrete that can either be solid or more hollow cavities. The sides can be smooth or come with a distinctive pattern. It is frequently used as a building material in the construction of roads, bridges, walls, homes, properties, and other infrastructures. 

Main features of concrete blocks: 

• Usually heavier than the cinder blocks 
• Can withstand high pressure 
• Contains steel, cement or wood 
• Have a significant tensile strength that makes it ideal for tougher structures 

• Cinder blocks are made of concrete and coal cinders or ash. It is often known as the remains of burned coal. Usually, in karate demonstrations, they are using cinder blocks instead of concrete blocks. Unlike concrete blocks that suit large construction projects, cinder blocks are often used in small projects like garden walls or small wall division. 

Main features of cinder blocks: 

• They re lighter than concrete blocks 
• Both contain concrete and coal cinders 
• They tend to bow and buckle 
• They do not have a substantial tensile strength
• They can not be used in big construction projects because of their strength capacity 
• The repair is usually expensive that’s why they are not recommended in locations that are prone to a high risk of damage 
• They are used as a safety barrier 
• They are used to decorate the wall 
• They are used for foxing doors and windows 
• Useful in differentiating the appearance of structures

Comparison between the cinder block and the concrete block 

CINDER BLOCK	CONCRETE BLOCK
Ash is the main aggregate in the cinder block.	The concrete block also consists of fly ash in the building of masonry units.
Cinder block is more costly because it requires a lot of repairs.	Concrete block, due to its strength, does not need a lot of repairs. Therefore, it is more cost-efficient in the long run.
Cinder block has a hollow rectangular form.	The concrete block is structured flat and concrete.
Cinder blocks have not been massively produced in nearly 50 years. Thus, it is considered as an old fashioned building material.	Concrete blocks are massively used until today because of its durability and structural strength
Cinder block is made up of both cinder ash remains and concrete.	A concrete block is made up of wood, cement, or steel. But it is most commonly made of cement.
Cinder block is often used in small construction projects such as the building of garden walls.	A concrete block is used in more sizeable and substantial construction projects.
Most building codes do not allow the use of cinder blocks because it is not as flexible as the concrete block.	Concrete blocks are way much stronger than the cinder block.
Cinder block lacks tensile strength to withstand high pressure.	A concrete block is a hard, strong, and durable material that can withstand high pressure.
Cinder block is lighter than the concrete block. This makes them ideal for small construction projects.	A concrete block consists of aggregates such as stones and sands, making it heavier than the cinder block.

Now that you know the key differences between concrete blocks and cinder blocks, you can easily decide which one to use in your construction project. A heavy-duty, large building construction will need strong and durable materials that can be found on the concrete block, while a small backyard or garden project will not require a strong tensile strength. Therefore, a cinder block is good enough for such a project. Choosing which block to use depends on the type and size of the project you are building. Most of the property owners prefer to use concrete blocks for long-lasting durability and strength, as well as flexibility in terms of possible alteration. But there are still some who prefer cinder blocks due to its lightweight property. 

When it comes to buying the right blocks for you, one of the things that you need to learn is to identify the physical difference between the concrete block and the cinder block. Concrete blocks appear to be heavy and new, while cinder blocks look older and light. It’s best to buy from a reliable hardware store or seller who will be able to provide a detailed description of each block’s properties. 

How Do You Price A Landscaping Job

As homeowners across the globe are settling into their home life and looking for innovative ways to earn income, many who are avid lovers of caring for plant life and intricate design are turning towards the landscaping business as a valid opportunity.

As such, there are a couple of things you should familiarize yourself with first before venturing forth into the journey of traversing the landscaping business. Chief among the important and trivial matters you have to address in running a landscaping business and offering your skills to countless clients is the price of which you offer your service.

Guesstimating a price

Yes, you’re going to have to determine the price of which you offer your service. Setting a price will mean setting a standard that you and your client will agree upon in exchange for you doing your job.

If you fail to price your service right, there will be varying effects, all equally undesired. If you set your price too high, you will most likely be putting off plenty of potential clients who will be looking towards other businesses offering a cheaper price. If you price your service too low, you may end up not making a profit despite winning over plenty of customers.

You’re essentially running a thin line between winning over your clients at a fair price, as well as offering a good enough price to turn up a profit.

Pricing by the hour

One way you can determine your service is by pricing by the hour. This would imply that you charge the client for however long you think the job will take, or how long the job took to accomplish. The advantage of pricing this way is that it’s a decent and steady way to measure the difficulty of a task, as harder jobs that take longer will of course be priced more expensively. The disadvantage to this, of course, is that the time it takes to complete a job isn’t the only nor the best way to measure its difficulty.

Pricing by standard rates

If the previous option doesn’t sound appealing to you, then you can try setting standard rates for specific tasks. This way, you can outline the jobs that you can offer more succinctly and set appropriate prices for each task. Additionally, you can set a price range for each task depending on the specificity of how difficult a task it is.

Ways to determine a price

One determined way you can guesstimate a price is by getting to know the price range of your competition. Look up the contact information for the local landscaping businesses in your area and ask for a quote for a particular job and work from there.

If you want to cross-reference it more, you can even employ help from your friends or family who have their own different landscaping needs and requirements. Get your friends and family to make the same calls but ask for a different requirement.