How Do You Winterize an Irrigation System in Western Colorado?
Shut the water off, get every drop out of the lines, and protect anything that
holds water where it can freeze - draining or blowing out sprinkler and drip
lines, opening valves, and clearing yard hydrants.
HDPE vs. PVC: Which Pipe Holds Up Better in Freeze-Thaw Ground?
HDPE holds up better than PVC in freeze-thaw ground because it flexes with the soil and uses fewer joints. PVC still works in stable, straight runs.
What Does Geotextile Fabric Actually Do, and When Do You Need One?
Geotextile fabric keeps two layers of ground from mixing. Laid on the subgrade before you place rock, it stops soft, wet soil from pumping up
What Are the Warning Signs a Septic System is Failing?
A failing septic system almost always tells on itself first. Watch for slow drains and gurgling fixtures inside, and a soggy patch, bright green stripe of grass, or sewage smell over the tank or leach field outside.
What Water Systems Does a New Rural Home Need?
A new rural home needs four water systems: a domestic water supply from the well or tap to the house, an on-site wastewater system, stormwater drainage around the site, and a radon rough-in under the slab.
What Pipe Should You Use for a Residential Water Line?
For most rural homes around Hotchkiss, Olathe, and Delta, the water line from your
well or tap to the house comes down to poly pipe (HDPE) or PVC. Here's how to decide
which one belongs in your ground.
How Do You Stop a Gravel Driveway From Washing Out?
A gravel driveway washes out because water runs down it instead of off it. Cut off the uphill water, shape the drive so runoff sheds to the side, and give it somewhere to go.
How Do You Choose Culvert Pipe for a Driveway Crossing?
Match culvert pipe to four things: county requirements at the approach, how much cover it gets, what drives over it, and how the ends get protected. The install decides more than the material.
What Are the Parts of a Septic System, and What Does Each One Do?
A septic system has four parts working in order: a tank that separates, a filter or pump that controls what leaves, distribution that spreads the flow, and a drainfield where the soil does the treatment.
How Do You Know It's Time to Shut Down Your Irrigation for the Season?
Three things set your irrigation shutdown date: when the ditch company shuts off, when your last crop no longer needs water, and how much freeze risk you will carry with full lines.