Count Down to MPR's Conference & Trade Show | New Year's
Greetings!
The final countdown is on for our Conference and Trade Show, Tuesday, January 29th
Here are 3 tips to maximize your value from this unbeatable event:
- Have a goal. Review the event agenda and make a plan to maximize your time with the exhibitors.
- Bring your team. Our event will be filled with smart ideas and tips that can grow everyone's knowledge.
- Bring business cards. You will be meeting many new contacts who can help grow your business. Be armed with your contact information so follow-ups flow after the event. Use the business cards you collect to connect with others on-line via email and social media.
The Team at MPR Supply
Save the Date: MPR Conference & Trade Show
Mark your calendar and plan to attend. Get new ideas to make 2019 your best year ever.
Our show is a not-to-be-missed day of smart seminars, vendor displays and a delicious lunch.
WHEN: Join us Tuesday, January 29th starting at 7:30am
LOCATION: Spazios Westport 12031 Lackland Rd, Maryland Heights, MO 63043
Watch this newsletter for registration information.
Learning from 2018 to Improve 2019
With 2019 now here, there's a temptation to think we're done with 2018. Take a minute to review the year and see what you can improve in 2019. - What did you learn? Sure, you've gathered some scratches and dents from another eventful year. But that's not an excuse to coast and hope the season's challenges go away on their own. Make a list of what needs to change for 2019 and resolve to fix make these better. Has turnover been a problem? Did subcontractors frustrate you? Are you not attracting the right kind of clients? Whatever your challenge, make good use of the winter downtime to resolve them.
- Showing appreciation to customers. Send a note. Drop off a gift. Let your clients know you appreciated working with them this year - and that you can't wait to see them again in the spring.
- Reward valued employees. It's harder than ever to find hard-working team members. Make sure you're taking the time to reward yours. This doesn't always mean a bonus check. It can be gifts for their families, a gift basket, tickets to a winter sporting event, etc. Make sure they know you care and that you want to see them back next season!
Mitigating Water Hammer in an Irrigation System
Irrigation systems often experience water hammer, which occurs when an irrigation valve rapidly closes as it shuts off and water flowing through the pipe is brought to a quick halt, creating a reversing shock wave in the pipe. Water hammer is notably recognized by a banging noise in a building's piping (which is particularly undesirable early in the morning when the irrigation system is running), and can be destructive to system components or cause pipe connection breaks. Water hammer can be mitigated by installing a water hammer arrestor, such as the Zurn Wilkins 1250XL, into the irrigation system as close as possible to the inlet side of valve that is causing water hammer. Water hammer arrestors absorb the energy of the shock wave like a shock absorber on an automobile when it drives across bumps in the road.In addition to causing damage to the irrigation system and components, water hammer causes relief valve discharge on reduced pressure principle assembly backflow preventers. This unnecessary and unwanted release of water from the relief valve vent not only violates water conservation regulations, but can range from a small nuisance discharge to a large discharge that could cause flood damage. Water hammer should be prevented to maintain normal operation of the irrigation system's backflow preventer.
Another solution for mitigating water hammer is to install a soft-seated, spring-loaded single check valve, such as the Zurn Wilkins 40XL2, on the inlet piping leading to the water hammer source. The single check valve operates as a barrier, preventing water hammer from moving backwards in the pipe past the single check valve and isolating the inlet pipe and components from the negative effects of the shock wave. There are cases where the water hammer shock wave is great enough to require the installation of a water hammer arrestor and a single check valve in the irrigation system.
Whatever method is chosen to mitigate water hammer, preventing it will reduce the premature failure of system components, reduce the chances for pipe connection failures, conserve water, and stop the banging noise.
For water hammer arrestor sizing information and installation instructions, click here.
LASCO Tip: How to Make Leak-Free Joints
In this helpful technical article from LASCO Fittings, discover the forces that cause failure in threaded pipe connections and how to take steps to control them in your installations.Click here to download the full article PDF
DryConn® DBR/Y-600: Best in Class for Irrigation, Golf and 2-Wire Applications
We know you take pride in your work, and strive to use high quality materials. It's the simplest way to reduce liability risk, decrease call backs, and improve relationships. When it comes to quality in wire connectors for golf and two wire applications, the DryConn® DBR/Y-600 is the leader. This UL 486D Listed waterproof wire connector far surpasses similar items in the marketplace. Here's why:- Waterproofing: The DBR/Y tube housing holds a whopping 74% more silicone than similar connectors-specifically, that's 14.75mL of fill versus a meager 8.5mL.
- Pullout Performance: During tedious testing, it was determined that the DBR/Y consistently performs 10% better in pullout testing than competing connectors.
- Connector Design: The Gorilla Nut inside each DBR/Y has a square cut spring to grip wires, and a cushioned exterior for comfortable grip. Made in the USA:> DryConn connectors are carefully crafted at the King Innovation headquarters in O'Fallon, MO where quality processes + quality materials = superior products.
Check out the video for more info on how to make quality connections with the DBR/Y-600.
Solving Electrical Problems at an Irrigation Valve
How can you tell if a valve solenoid is defective? How can you be certain that the valve is the cause of a zone that won't activate? Regency Wire answers these questions and more in their NEW free training video for irrigation professionals. Check it out and be sure to share it with your team! There's even a version in Spanish.