Since 1992
Irrigation Service & Installation
For Your Triangle Area Home
Trusted Professionals – Licensed, Insured and Bonded
Proper Licensing For Better Dependability
Irrigation is a very regulated field where we want to show our trustworthiness. We make sure to have all our boxes checked for licensing.
Corporate License #C-809
North Carolina Irrigation Contractors’ Licensing Board
Plumbing License #21317
North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors
About Greenway Irrigation – What Motivates Our Specialized Service
Our business is built on a few basic principles. First, we build irrigation systems that minimize clients’ total cost of ownership—installation, maintenance and repair—over the life of the system. Second, we treat our clients as we would like to be treated. Explain the pros—and the cons. Be responsive. Honor our promises. Fix our mistakes. Be friendly. We have hundreds of long-term customers that are happy to share their Greenway experiences with you. We encourage you to click through our website and learn about underground irrigation. If you have any questions, please give us call.
We Work With Your Town or Municipality
Depending on your location, you will have different fees and taxes related to irrigating your property. We can help you no matter where you are in our service area.
What To Look For
Be informed…Ask questions!
A good contractor will encourage you to ask questions and then provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. You need to know exactly what you are getting for your money and what to expect out of your irrigation system.
How do sprinkler systems work?
Most underground sprinkler systems are connected, as is your house, to either the public water supply or to a well. The sprinkler system’s main water line is further segmented into a number of separate irrigation zones comprised of several rotor sprinklers, pop-up sprinklers or drip lines. Each zone waters a particular section of the yard. A number of factors dictate the number and type of zones required. Factors include the size, slope and composition of the landscape, as well as the water pressure and flow rate.
Electric valves regulate the flow of pressurized water into each zone from the main line. The pressure of the water is sufficient to force the sprinkler heads to pop-up and rotate, depending on their function. Each valve is connected by low voltage wires to the system controller (or clock) that is typically mounted on the side of the house. The controller is programmed to open and close each valve at a specific time, for a specific amount of time, on specific days. Rain sensors measure the amount of natural rainfall and signal the controller to reduce or cancel the sprinkler cycle if Mother Nature has been doing her job.
Electric valves regulate the flow of pressurized water into each zone from the main line. The pressure of the water is sufficient to force the sprinkler heads to pop-up and rotate, depending on their function. Each valve is connected by low voltage wires to the system controller (or clock) that is typically mounted on the side of the house. The controller is programmed to open and close each valve at a specific time, for a specific amount of time, on specific days. Rain sensors measure the amount of natural rainfall and signal the controller to reduce or cancel the sprinkler cycle if Mother Nature has been doing her job.
How much does a new irrigation system cost? What are the maintenance costs?
A new irrigation system typically costs several thousand dollars to install depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the yard, complexity of the landscape, water supply characteristics, etc. Moreover, there are permit costs for a water meter, if the system is connected to the municipal water supply and inspection/certifications fees for the required backflow preventer. Once the system is up and running, there is the cost of water. In some areas, sprinkler systems can be connected to a less expensive reclaimed (non-potable) water line. Regular maintenance costs include the backflow certification, winterization and spring start-up. A professionally designed irrigation system should perform flawlessly for decades with regular maintenance.
Is the contractor licensed and insured? Do they have a good reputation?
The State of North Carolina requires all irrigation systems to be designed by a contractor licensed by the North Carolina Irrigation Contractor’s Licensing Board. Moreover, don’t hesitate to ask your irrigation contractor to provide you with a Certificate of Insurance that names you as an Additional Insured. Check sites such as Angie’s List and Yelp* to see how your contractor measures up. Ask for and call your contractor’s references.
Does the contractor provide a warrant?
Most irrigation components supplied by leading OEMs are covered for several years by the manufacturer’s warranty, but irrigation contractors are not required to warranty their workmanship. Ask for your contractor’s warranty in writing. Greenway Irrigation stands behind its work with a written and signed 2-year warranty and honors all manufacturers’ equipment warranties.
What products will be used and why?
Your irrigation contractor should be able to tell you the exact brand and model of the components to be installed in your system. The leading brands manufacture both retail and commercial grade components. Retail grade irrigation products—pipe, valves, sprinkler heads, controllers—can be purchased at your local DIY store. Commercial grade products are sold through irrigation and landscape supply wholesalers. Greenway only relies on certain commercial grade components, principally from Hunter, RainBird and Febco, that have demonstrated, in our experience, superior durability and performance over years of use. Greenway designs irrigation systems that work—for a long time.
What regulations and permits do I need to be aware of?
A permit from your municipal or county government is required for installation of a secondary water meter for irrigation systems. The permit fees vary by jurisdiction. The overall billing rate for water from the secondary meter is lower because the sewer rate does not apply. The water flows into the environment and not back into the sewer system.
A backflow prevention device is required for every irrigation system connected to a potable water supply, public water system or well. The backflow preventer must be certified by a licensed plumber when the system is first installed and then the local water authority must inspect it. In addition, the municipal authorities require an annual re-certification of the backflow preventer to safeguard the water supply.
Regulations also require a rain sensor on all new irrigation installations. The rain sensor prevents the sprinklers from turning on when there is sufficient natural rainfall. This regulation is designed to conserve water.
Greenway obtains all the required permits and arranges the required inspections at cost for its clients. We have a licensed plumber on staff to conduct and submit the annual backflow certifications to the local authorities.
A backflow prevention device is required for every irrigation system connected to a potable water supply, public water system or well. The backflow preventer must be certified by a licensed plumber when the system is first installed and then the local water authority must inspect it. In addition, the municipal authorities require an annual re-certification of the backflow preventer to safeguard the water supply.
Regulations also require a rain sensor on all new irrigation installations. The rain sensor prevents the sprinklers from turning on when there is sufficient natural rainfall. This regulation is designed to conserve water.
Greenway obtains all the required permits and arranges the required inspections at cost for its clients. We have a licensed plumber on staff to conduct and submit the annual backflow certifications to the local authorities.
Who will be doing the work, seasonal laborers or trained technicians?
Greenway prides itself on its courteous and professional staff of trained irrigation technicians. Each crew chief has at least a decade of experience in irrigation, as do many of the crew members. Of course, we regularly bring aboard bright, young employees as apprentices to learn how to design, install and maintain irrigation systems the right way.
Is the contractor staffed for full-time service and maintenance?
Unlike some contractors whose business is structured primarily for installation work, Greenway is a full-service irrigation contractor. We maintain separate full-time teams for installation and service. We maintain a detailed file on every irrigation system we’ve installed since 1992. We expect to maintain and service your irrigation system for as long as it’s in the ground. Our business model considers each customer a customer-for-life.
