[Grill Meister]

I desperately need someone who can inspect my irrigation system.....sub-terrarium. Each month my water bill from North Sumter has been rising, occasioned most from irrigation water. I have not changed my watering pattern in years, so it cannot be from my using more water. I have visually check the entire irrigation system to determine if I was losing water from a missing head.....everything checked out correctly.

My latest water bill exceeded $400.00, $142 of which was for irrigation.

I have had them come out and recheck the meters and they say that the meters are reading correctly. Therefore, I must be losing water through an underground break.

Please contact me: genem9191939@gmail.com

HELP!

[Kenswing]

I’ve heard some good things about these guys.

ACI Irrigation

[JohnN]

Mike Scott Plumbing is very reputable. They fixed an outdoor broken pipe just inside the meter. They do quality work and affordably.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Grill Meister

I desperately need someone who can inspect my irrigation system.....sub-terrarium. Each month my water bill from North Sumter has been rising, occasioned most from irrigation water. I have not changed my watering pattern in years, so it cannot be from my using more water. I have visually check the entire irrigation system to determine if I was losing water from a missing head.....everything checked out correctly.

My latest water bill exceeded $400.00, $142 of which was for irrigation.

I have had them come out and recheck the meters and they say that the meters are reading correctly. Therefore, I must be losing water through an underground break.

Please contact me: genem9191939@gmail.com

HELP!

$142. For irrigation sounds reasonable. $250 for usage of inside water sounds way over the top. Is there water in your irrigation box? We use Joe Tucker (352)430-5615

[Stu from NYC]

Had terrible experience with Massey. Over a year they sent 6 different guys all doing it different and refused to call and make appt so I could see what they were actually doing.

[TrapX]

Things you can do now. All free. (1) Look at your water meter and record the reading. Use no water and come back later to see if the number has gone up. If it did then you have an underground leak. (2) Inspect your system. Turn on your irrigation and look at every head. Are they spraying correctly? Other than an obviously missing head, any shooting out more water then others like them? (3) Compare with others. What is your water usage in gallons? Talk to your neighbors and ask them what their usage is. Are you significantly higher? Compare your watering schedules and operating durations. (4) Check your controller. You may not have made changes, but have you looked to see that it hasn't failed in some way causing it to operate differently than you expect? Perhaps a lightning strike messed up its programming. You could set the start time to run in the morning so you can monitor if it is operating correctly.

[Grill Meister]

I am going to systematically try each of the suggestions offered and I thank each of you for your advice.

First step.....I have inspected the controls and all were set as originally done; however, I have now reduced the time for each zone drastically and will see what results that has.

Second....I will check the numbers on the meters when not running water.

Lastly....If nothing else works, I will contact Mike Scott Plumbing. They have done work for me in the past, but I didn't know they also could inspect the in-ground irrigation piping.

Again.....thank you, each of you, and have a wonderful and blest day.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

I’ve heard some good things about these guys.

ACI Irrigation

We had ACI completely re-do our irrigation system in 2020.
We now have them on a bi-annual maintenance check to keep the system at peak performance.
They are reasonable...reliable....responsive.

[daca55]

I use ACI. A little expensive but they know what they are doing. I signed up for their every 3 month system check plan and they run and inspect t my system. They charge $50 for that plan which is for the inspection and minor adjustments. Anything else they find is extra charge. The plan works really good if you are a snowbird.

[Villages Kahuna]

There are quite a few companies or individuals who inspect and make necessary repairs on irrigation systems. My neighbor does it himself using parts purchased at Home Depot. I chose to have inspections done 2-3 times a year by Water Wizard (352) 753-5974. Massey Services (352) 748-9189. also provides irrigation system maintenance.

[NoMo50]

I would consider $250+ for potable water in one month to be way over the top. Based on the water rates in our district, that would come out to over 20,000 gallons used. Are you filling a large pool?

[Snowbirdtobe]

It sounds like you have an inside water leak or a teenage daughter. I would get a a water pressure gage and put it on an outside faucet. Then turn off the water to the house and see if there is any pressure drop. If the system doesn't hold a steady pressure you have a leak inside the house. A toilets are a common leak source as well as reverse osmosis systems.

[Aacosner]

Originally Posted by TrapX

Things you can do now. All free. (1) Look at your water meter and record the reading. Use no water and come back later to see if the number has gone up. If it did then you have an underground leak. (2) Inspect your system. Turn on your irrigation and look at every head. Are they spraying correctly? Other than an obviously missing head, any shooting out more water then others like them? (3) Compare with others. What is your water usage in gallons? Talk to your neighbors and ask them what their usage is. Are you significantly higher? Compare your watering schedules and operating durations. (4) Check your controller. You may not have made changes, but have you looked to see that it hasn't failed in some way causing it to operate differently than you expect? Perhaps a lightning strike messed up its programming. You could set the start time to run in the morning so you can monitor if it is operating correctly.

You might also want to check your rain sensor. If it no longer stops the system from watering, it can cost you. If you have a multimeter, or know someone who has one, the standard Hunter and Orbit controllers will show a short across the rain sensor connection terminals when the system is not preventing the system from watering. If it shows an open, the system has stepped in to prevent watering. For your concern, need to check after a good rain to see if it has stepped in to prevent watering.

[ocpaul66]

Originally Posted by Grill Meister

I desperately need someone who can inspect my irrigation system.....sub-terrarium. Each month my water bill from North Sumter has been rising, occasioned most from irrigation water. I have not changed my watering pattern in years, so it cannot be from my using more water. I have visually check the entire irrigation system to determine if I was losing water from a missing head.....everything checked out correctly.

My latest water bill exceeded $400.00, $142 of which was for irrigation.

I have had them come out and recheck the meters and they say that the meters are reading correctly. Therefore, I must be losing water through an underground break.

Please contact me: genem9191939@gmail.com

HELP!

Reedy’s Reliable Service. 352-445-9823 also 352-875-8907. ReedysReliable@gmail.com. Licensed & Insured.