Irrigation

As Tidewater's oldest irrigation contractor, Gentle Rain has designed and installed literally thousands of residential and commercial irrigation systems. We know that first-rate design and installation are the keys to the long-term performance of your sprinkler system. Unfortunately, some contractors are all too happy to cut corners in order to win your bid. The result is often a flawed system that is unreliable, does not water efficiently, and leaves you frustrated.

At Gentle Rain, we promise to design and install your irrigation system using the latest technology and the best installation techniques. We also promise to stand behind our work. We offer a comprehensive warranty on parts and labor, and our service department will keep your system running at optimal performance and efficiency. Providing outstanding customer service is our commitment to you, just as it has been to our customers for over 40 years.

IRRIGATION

Customized Design

One of the most costly mistakes in developing an irrigation system is poor design. Our experienced designers carefully determine all aspects of the system before anything in the field is started. During the design process, we carefully:

Assess the unique watering requirements of your lawn, gardens, planters and shrubbery
Select sprinkler head types and positioning to guarantee proper coverage
Evaluate your water source and available water pressure
Calculate the appropriate number and types of watering zones
Determine controller location for ease of access

Professional Installation

We insist on using the highest quality, professional grade products from the leading irrigation manufacturers including Hunter, Rainbird and Toro. Whenever possible, we use a vibratory plow for "trenchless" pipe installation to minimize the disruption to your property.

We pay close attention to unseen details, making sure that we:

Use only top-quality, NSF and ASTM certified pipe and fittings
Safeguard the electrical components with special, waterproof wire connections
Backfill trenches without debris and rocks that can damage the pipe
Provide proper grounding for controllers

We are also meticulous about what is visible, making sure that we:

Properly groom, compact and clean up trenches, holes and vibratory plow routes
Install sprinkler heads and valve boxes level to the grade
Position sprinkler heads at a consistent distance off hardscape and bed edges
Neatly install controllers and above ground piping to your pump or city water hook up

Follow Through

We promise to train you to use your new sprinkler system and provide an appropriate watering schedule. We also provide an "as-built" drawing to document the approximate location of sprinkler heads, valves, piping, etc. Lastly, we are available throughout the warranty period, at no charge, to consult or answer questions.

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Schedule A Service Appointment

Our Services

Gentle Rain maintains a fully staffed and equipped service department offering maintenance and repairs to your irrigation system. Our service technicians are friendly and well-qualified. Our service trucks are properly stocked with all of the necessary tools and equipment to service your system. Our office staff's expertise allows us to efficiently receive, categorize, schedule and dispatch service calls. This is something many companies can't offer and you will see a dramatic difference in the quality of service.

Maintenance contracts are available for commercial clients with a desire to have Gentle Rain monitor their site throughout the season. Annual pricing is determined by the size of the system and the frequency of site visits.

Our Services

Spring Start-Up

Between March and May, we recommend our spring start-up service to get your sprinkler system up and running for the season. We will check all the components to ensure your system is fully functional for the watering season. This service includes:

Repressurizing the irrigation system's water source(s)
Inspecting the plumbing and connections at water source(s)
Turning on each active zone to evaluate whether adjustments or repairs are needed
Making repairs to system components (valves, lines, sprinkler heads, etc.)
Adjusting existing sprinkler heads as needed for optimal coverage
Checking the rain sensor for proper operation
Programming the controller and setting an appropriate watering schedule

Scheduling your spring start-up depends on the weather conditions and your individual watering needs. Please contact us early to schedule this service as spring is our busiest season. If you would like your system started by a certain date, we recommend that you contact us a few weeks before so that we can better accommodate your request.

Winterization

Although we typically enjoy mild winters in Hampton Roads, we still experience freezing temperatures. Consequently, your irrigation system must be shut down to safeguard against major freeze damage. Our winterization service includes:

Depressurizing and draining the irrigation water source(s)
Blowing any residual water out of the lines for each zone using compressed air
Deactivating the controller

Because the timing of the arrival of freezing weather varies from season to season, we recommend winterization sometime in November each year.

Backflow Testing

All municipalities in the Hampton Roads area require that all irrigation systems that use city water undergo periodic "backflow testing" to protect the drinking water supply. Your city/town administration will send you a reminder notification, and you usually have 30 days to have the test performed. Gentle Rain is certified by the state of Virginia to test your backflow preventer and report the test results.

System Alterations

If you've made changes to your landscape, it's a good idea to have us review the design of your current irrigation system in order to recommend enhancements that will meet the needs of your lawn and plants in the most efficient manner. From a simple head change to the addition of entire zones, our technicians will work with you to optimize turf and plant coverage.

Backflow Testing

System Alterations

Why Irrigation?

Whether you're a homeowner or commercial property owner, a professionally designed and installed irrigation system from Gentle Rain offers powerful benefits:

Why Irrigation?

Whether you're a homeowner or commercial property owner, a professionally designed and installed irrigation system from Gentle Rain offers powerful benefits:

Product Information

We recognize that for the highest-quality outcome, Gentle Rain must select the very best materials for your project. Our knowledge and experience allows us to carefully select the products we use and the manufacturers we work with. Many of our manufacturers provide extensive warranties, giving you peace of mind that your investment will last for years to come.

Hunter www.hunterindustries.com - manufacturer of professional grade rotary heads, spray heads, controllers and valves

Rainbird www.rainbird.com - manufacturer of professional grade rotary heads, spray heads, controllers and valves

Toro www.toro.com/watermgmt - manufacturer of professional grade rotary heads, spray heads, controllers and valves

Irritrol www.irritrol.com - manufacturer of professional grade rotary heads, spray heads, controllers and valves

Netafim www.netafim.com - manufacturer of drip irrigation products

Why Irrigation?

Whether you're a homeowner or commercial property owner, a professionally designed and installed irrigation system from Gentle Rain offers powerful benefits:

More Effective Watering

Watering by hand does not target plant roots with any significant degree of precision. An automatic sprinkler system can be programmed to discharge more precise amounts of water in a targeted area, so you no longer have to worry about whether you are over or under watering.

Lower Water Usage

Properly designed and installed irrigation systems are highly efficient. Watering can be programmed to occur in early morning when evaporation is at its lowest point, and our systems are installed with automatic rain shut-off devices to conserve water. All in all, an irrigation system uses less water than watering by hand.

Value

An attractive landscape is a significant investment that requires careful maintenance. An irrigation system is an insurance plan that protects that investment. Not only will you enjoy greener, healthier lawn and gardens, you will measurably increase your property value.

Convenience

Tired of hauling hoses around your property? Most homeowners simply do not have the time and energy to devote to the watering needs of their landscapes. An automatic sprinkler system gives your lawn and gardens the right amount of water at the right time, giving you more free time to enjoy the beautiful results.