Plumbing

Prepared Your Plumbing For Winter Months

Posted on by lsse25
Plumbing For Winter

Outside of the city, life is always peaceful and simple. It is all about jams that we worry about because we would be late for our workplace in city life. But on the farm or countryside, it is different. You do not need to worry about that morning jam, and there’s no rush; it’s like you are in another dimension.

Even though everything seems perfect in the farmhouse yet, there are some things you should consider in the winter season. Especially you need to think about the plumbing system in your house.

That’s because, in the winter months, chances are everything will be freezing. The plumbing fixtures especially tend to freeze, which is very inconvenient. So let’s discuss the ways in which you can prepare your plumbing for winter.

Check Your Water Heater

The water heater is the essential equipment for plumbing; this is especially in the winter season. However, a cold shower is not a good idea in the winter months. So, before the temperature falls, you can call a professional plumber to inspect the water heater system. In addition, some water heaters let you increase the temperature level to easily get the warm water you need. Thus, to make sure everything is fine, you can seek help from an expert plumber.

Take Care Outdoor Faucets

In the summertime usually, outdoor garden faucets and hoses are very useful. But you may not need them in the winter months. If any outdoor pipes freeze, it could be serious damage to the plumbing system if you forget to turn off the water. Hence, to avoid this possibility, you can disconnect outdoor hoses and drain them properly. Once you disconnect them, store them in a safe place.

Locate Your Water Main

You should be prepared for any unfortunate event like a pipe burst in the cold season. That’s why relocating the main water system in your home should be your first priority or step. Usually, the water system is connected to the good system or town. So, if you know exactly where it is connected, you can easily cut the access for any emergency. This is also very helpful in minimizing any potential damage.

Careful About Any Nagging Leaks

Before the winter season comes, you should be careful about any leaks in pipes. You could neglect any minor leaks in summer, but it could be severe in cold weather. Any small leak can cause a major issue for the whole plumbing system.

Usually, in the winter months, pipes naturally start to expand, which causes bursts. To avoid any significant inconvenience or to avoid major expensive repairs, take your time to consult a professional plumber. He can help you save your time and money or any unnecessary headache.

Insulate Your Pipes

Another best thing you can do is insulate pipes to prevent any burst or frozen pipes. Insulated means this would wrap up the lines with insulation foam. You can consider insulating the pipe if you want to enjoy your winter vacation to the fullest at your farmhouse.

Conclusion

Everything goes smoothly when you prepare and plan on time. So, if you own a farmhouse, then make sure to check out the plumbing system for the upcoming winter months.

 

 

 

 

Irrigation

Underground Irrigation For Gardens By Plumbing

Posted on by lsse25
Irrigation For Gardens

The irrigation system plays a vital role in every garden since plants require water for their growth. Therefore, if you can create the best irrigation system for your garden, you can expect the plants will grow ideally. Moreover, a proper irrigation system in the garden helps preserve the natural nutrients; at the same time, it helps improve the soil structure intact.

Today we will discuss the best tips that can help you prepare the best irrigation system for your garden.

How Does Underground Irrigation Help

You are probably thinking about whether the underground irrigation system may work for you or not. But we would say this system is one of the best and most effective ways for plants.

– If you are dealing with small numbers of individual plants in a small yard, the underground irrigation method is the most efficient.

If you want to supply 1 or 4 gallons of water every hour to plants, you can depend on the drip irrigation system.

– When you use sprinklers, there is no water loss due to evaporation.

– Underground irrigation system ensure the soil soaks water without washing the mulch, which is very helpful.

When choosing an irrigation system for your garden, you can depend on the method you want. First, however, let’s discuss some of the best plumbing tips that help in underground irrigation.

  1. Prepare the trenches with adequate water

If you want to create a garden, the first thing you should do is water the soil thoroughly before digging; this will soften the ground. But ensure you do not wet the point of creating the mud. When you trench, add water periodically to keep any dust from you. You can also consider making the area by section when you plan on digging the trench. This will help you not to dig the trenches by your hand. And keep in mind that the bottom of the trenches should be smooth as possible.

  1. Don’t neglect supervision and professional assistance

If you are stuck while maintaining the irrigation system or installing the process, consult a plumbing company. And we would suggest before you do anything, talk with an expert to ensure the process goes smoothly. They can help you determine if you are doing it right or wrong.

  1. Be clear about the trench depth and pipe materials

When it comes to underground irrigation in your area, you should follow the government rules. That’s because, in the USA, the government decides the depth of the pipe in some areas. For example, all plastic pipes should be 18 inches deep in some areas. Remember, the pipe depths are for some areas, so when thinking about gardening, find out if your area has any rules.

  1. Be wary of weather complications

Don’t take the weather complications lightly when thinking about installing underground pipes for your garden. You need to be extra careful while installing the underground pipe. For example, if the temperature is freezing, then chances are this could freeze water inside the sprinkler heads, valves, or pipes. Thus, you can consult an expert on exactly what to do in these situations.

  1. Careful about the things that could be a malfunction or indicate disrepair

Underground soil is not always in plain sight; hence the irrigation system could be challenging. Hence, in terms of the functionalities of the procedure, make sure you are aware of various things that could go wrong. Or, if you want to get a good list of the things, you can talk with a plumbing company.

 

You may want to explore and expand your favorite garden if you already have a garden. And the underground irrigation system could take your gardening system to the next level. So, you should consider this irrigation system.

 

 

 

Irrigation

Helpful Irrigation Tips for Farmers

Posted on by lsse25
Irrigation Tips

A quality irrigation system is the best way for farmers to make the farmland healthy. To promote the good health of plants and vitality, regular hydration is involved in the irrigation system. Anyhow, here is a quick guide for farmers on irrigation.

  1. The soil type
  2. Work on Drip Irrigation System
  3. Use a method to avoid wasting water

 

  1. The soil type

The soil composition is an essential factor to consider when it comes to the irrigation system on farmland. First, you should understand the soil type to determine how much water the soil can take during the irrigation. Compared to clay soil, usually, sandier soils drown water quicker. So, if you want to make a proper irrigation system, you need to understand the land’s soil type.

  1. Work on Drip Irrigation System

Generally, drip irrigation systems focus on the roots only, unlike sprinkler systems. Therefore, implementing the drip irrigation system is essential for water efficiency since it saves you time. At the same time, this assures you the sprinklers are hitting the plants’ roots. Additionally, direct irrigation is essential for better crops and promoting plants’ good health and faster growth.

  1. Use a method to avoid wasting water

While hydrating your crops, you can examine how much runoff occurs if you are concerned about water conservation. When you provide more water rather than the capacity of the soil, then you are actually wasting water. Moreover, you should space the overwatering of the crops if you are using a sprinkler system to irrigate your land.

Hopefully, you find these three steps helpful. Let’s talk about different types of irrigation systems.

  1. Level basin systems
  2. Furrow systems
  3. Center-pivot sprinkler systems
  4. Border check or Flood systems
  5. Solid set and fixed sprinkler systems
  6. Traveling gun sprinkler systems
  7. Hand move sprinkler systems
  8. Side-roll wheel-move systems
  9. Low-flow irrigation systems
  10. Linear or lateral-move systems

 

Level basin systems

The level basin system means the water is applied at a high volume to achieve rapid and even ponding for the desired application.

 

Furrow System

When the water flows down a slope across a paddock using the small channels, this system is known as the furrow system. Usually, the furrow system follows a straight line for the water flow. But sometimes, it could be curved as well on the land. The curved system is on the steeply sloping ground. And the row crops are grown between the furrows spaced from 1 meter.

Center-pivot sprinkler systems

Generally, center-pivot sprinkler systems are self-propelled systems that support a single pipeline. Additionally, the row mobile tower supports the center-pivot sprinkler system, which is about 2 to 4 meters above the ground.

Border check or Flood systems

The parallel ridges separate this system, divided by the paddock into bays. When hills guide the sheet, water flows by the paddock slope.

Solid set and fixed sprinkler systems

Generally, the pipelines are fixed, whereas the sprinkler nozzles expand on the surface. For crop cooling or frost protection, the solid system is widely used.

Traveling gun sprinkler systems

Usually, traveling guns are mounted on a trailer or wheel with a rubber hose. Remember, if you want to use this irrigation system, you need high operating pressures.

Hand move sprinkler systems

The lightweight pipeline section is the hand-move sprinkler system that is manually moved.

Side-roll wheel-move systems

It is a side-roll system when you are irrigating the land with large-diameter wheels.

Low-flow irrigation systems

When the small-diameter tubes are placed below the surface or above, it is a low-flow irrigation system.

Linear or lateral-move systems

This is similar to the center-pivot system; it doesn’t require any tower for irrigation.

 

Small Farm

Protect Water on Your Small Farm

Posted on by lsse25
Small Farm

In order to sustain livestock and crops, every small farm depends on clean water. Usually, farmers use wells or irrigation water from near ponds, rivers, or lakes. It doesn’t matter where the water comes from; all that is important is getting consistent freshwater.

But unfortunately, groundwater pollution has increased in recent years, and it is a destructive problem for agriculture. Thus, it is crucial for small farmers to know the pollution risks properly and how they can be prevented. In this article, we will discuss water pollution and how you can keep the water clean as a small farmer.

Reason for water pollution

We divided water pollution into two sources even though there are different reasons.

  1. Point Sources
  2. Nonpoint Sources

 

  1. Point Sources

When water is polluted from a single source, it is known as a point source. Therefore, you can easily track water pollution. For instance, the leaky pipeline is one of the common sources of freshwater pollution.

 

  1. Nonpoint Sources

This is also known as runoff which happens due to the over-saturated soil. Over-saturated soil cannot retain moisture. Therefore, due to over-irrigation, heavy rain, or floods, a farmer can face nonpoint water pollution.

So, how can you protect the groundwater from pollution? Keep in mind that this pollution can occur due to the water forces when it is out of control. Thus, farmers need to follow some strategies to reduce the risks.

  1. Reduce the use of chemicals
  2. Utilize the Crop Buffers
  3. Limit the grazing range of livestock

 

  1. Reduce the use of chemicals

Usually, farmers use pesticides to grow crops quicker, which is not ideal. And this is one of the most harmful pollutants to the land. These pesticides pollute water; hence you need to consider minimizing using these chemicals on your land.

 

  1. Utilize the Crop Buffers

Even though you use fences around crops, bacteria from the manure still travel occasionally near the water supply. That’s why small farmers are encouraged to apply the crop buffer method between the water source and grazing. For instance, a simple plot of grass can absorb water that can cause bacteria.

  1. Limit the grazing range of livestock

Generally, to the water supply, bacteria could grow. So, it is very crucial to build a fence around the farm to keep it safe from animals that carry bacteria.

Practice Good Management

When it comes to protecting water quality, practicing good management is a must for farmers. Usually, there are three ways to protect water; these are limited animals from using the water streams, ponds, and so on for drinking water. You need to practice a good fencing system to keep farms from animals.

To protect water quality, you need to manage manure since it is a great source of primary nutrients, which is essential for plant growth. For example, it provides potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Moreover, manure is perfect for organic matter that increases the capacity of soil to hold water, which improves the quality.

Manure is also a great source of nutrients for the plants they need. When you properly manage the water surface, this keeps bacteria from keeping out of the farm. Also, it keeps essential nutrition as well plus keeps bacteria away.

Keep in mind that when the plants are not growing, you need to collect manure. And you can use them when plants are growing.

To protect water on your small farm, you need to remember a few things:-

  1. When you properly manage crops, it acts like a filter that keeps nutrients.
  2. Heavy rains or water irrigation is harmful since it encourages pesticides to seep into the soil.
Tile Drainage 101

Tile Drainage 101

Posted on by lsse25
Tile drainage

The drain tile is not like the tile you have at your home. It is different from those floors. Usually, drain tiles are flexible pipes that include small preformed holes. These are installed downward the soil so that water can drain out of the pipe quickly and slowly.

When it comes to drain tiles, there are two types you can choose from:

  1. PVC Drain Tile
  2. Flexible Drain Tile

 

  1. PVC Drain Tile

The benefits of using drain tiles are –

  • It lasts longer.
  • If any clogging occurs, then it can be cleared with plumbers.

The cons of PVC drain tiles are –

  • Difficult to work.
  • Very expensive.
  1. Flexible Drain Tile

Usually, flexible drain tiles are cheaper compared to PVC due to their flexibility, and working with these tiles is easier.

But the downside of flexible drain tiles is that they do not last long. Also, they can be damaged by tools.

How to Install Drain Tile?

Generally, drain tiles are installed below the ground; hence, they need to be trenched into the ground. Often the trenches were dug 12 inches wide and 16 to 24 inches deep. In order for water to move in the correct direction, the trenches should be in property slope plus grade.

A layer of crushed rock is laid at the bottom once the trench is dug. And against the gravel, with any drainage holes.

In order to keep the roots from clogging the holes, the drain tile should be wrapped with fabric. But most of the perforated pipe comes with ready wrapped in water-permeable fabric.

However, to aid in better water penetration, the trench is filled with gravel when the drain tile is installed.

When You Should Install Drain Tile?

The best time of installing drain tile is when a home is being built; this is the easiest way. You can also install this drain tile when repairing the house or renovating. Remember, some special equipment needs to be used to create trenches.

However, you can also manage excess water in your landscape without installing the drain tile. Such as –

  1. By creating Creek Beds or swales
  2. Grading
  3. Installing Rain Garden
  4. Utilizing Rain Barrels

 

So, what benefits will you get when installing tile drainage on your farm? Here are a few advantages that you can read on.

  1. It gives a better plant stand
  2. Your plants will have fewer disease
  3. The soil would be less compaction
  4. You will get a consistent yields
  5. It reduces your financial risk
  6. Tile drainage ensures minor wear and tear
  7. It lets you efficiently use the resources
  8. Improves the harvesting conditions on the land
  9. It required less power for the field operation
  10. The plants get less stress

Bottom Line

To give you peace of mind or extra security, you can install the drain tile. During the early stage of new building construction, installing a drain system is easiest. However, if you want to take less stress, installing tile drainage is a great way.

 

 

agricultural drainage

How agricultural drainage works – Know the Complete Procedure

Posted on by lsse25
agricultural drainage

You will find two main types when it comes to the agriculture system. One is surface drainage while the other one is sub-surface drainage.

 

Surface Drainage System

When there is excess irrigation or there is huge rainfall, you can depend on a regular irrigation drainage system.

The land surfaces can be divided into

  1. Bedded System which uses for the flat lands
  2. Graded System that is used for sloping the lands.

 

Sub-surface Drainage System

The subsurface drainage system can be differentiated from the subsurface field system. The subsurface drainage system is concerned about removing water that is included in the underlying subgrade. Usually, this water is the result of exceptionally wet weather or from the high water table.

The subsurface drainage system has four different types. These are –

  1. Interceptor Drains
  2. Mole Drainage
  3. Ground Water Pumps
  4. PVC and Corrugated Pipes

You will get lots of benefits from the subsurface drainage system. For instance:-

  1. It improves the soil health since it increases the aeration of the soil
  2. Subsurface irrigation system increases the response of fertilizer
  3. In plants and soil as well, this reduces the imbalance of mineral
  4. In the early stage this reduces or prevents salinity.

 

Once the subsurface pipes are installed for the drainage system this strategically removes water from the isolated wet areas to drain the entire field.

You may want to know where the drainage system is needed and why. Let’s discuss them in detail here.

Soil that needs drainage

Most of the soil around the world has poor internal drainage. And without any artificial drainage, it would remain waterlogged for several days after excess rain.

And the prolonged wet prevents timely fieldwork plus the stresses of growing crops. Soil condition makes the drainage necessary for slow water permeability which restricts water movement. It improves the depressional topography. Also, it gives high salt levels to the soil surface.

Communicating water amounts

All through this website page and in like manner practice, water amounts are communicated in units of profundity inches or centimeters rather than units of volume. So, for instance, “a dirt holds three creeps of plant accessible water,” or “one inch of water was depleted from the dirt.”

Soil dampness variety

Soil dampness varies between the water table. While the agronomic terms “field limit” and “shriveling point” depict helpful agronomic reference focuses, soil dampness in the field is continually changing with time and shifts all through the dirt profile (the dirt between the ground surface and a specific profundity).

Dampness content: Field limit and withering

When dirt is adequately wet, its slender powers can hold no more water, and the dirt is at the field limit. The real soil dampness content at the field limit fluctuates with the soil surface, regularly going from 15 to 45 percent by volume. Therefore, plants can undoubtedly separate water from dirt when its dampness is at or close to the handle limit.

 

The extent of the dirt volume that is pore space relies upon soil surface and design, yet ordinarily differs between 35 and 55 percent. More vulnerable fine powers hold water in the dirt pores, while more grounded adsorptive powers have water as a film that encompasses soil particles.