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Categories Landscaping

Holiday Lights 2024

It's Time to Start Thinking

HOLIDAY LIGHTS!

There’s only 16 Saturday’s until Christmas! Can you believe it? We are starting to prepare for the upcoming holiday season. As in previous years, we will be running the Christmas light schedule by neighborhood. There are limited installs per day this year, so make sure to grab your spot early!

Here’s a few ways we can help with your lights:

Custom Fit Lighting

Custom Fit Lighting - We cut your lights specifically to your roof line. No plug and play lights here! We will install your lights before the season, and return after the season to take them down. We pack all your lighting material into a box and leave it on your porch for you to store until next year. The lights are yours to keep!
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Reinstalls

Already have lights to hang? No problem! We can install any type of holiday lights on your roof line, around your yard, on your trees and even in your bushes. We charge a flat rate per foot that includes install and takedown.
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Greenery

Do we install greenery like wreaths and garland? Of course we do! We're happy to provide and install or just install any greenery you may have.
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What Are You Waiting For?

GET ON THE LIST!

To get a quote, or schedule your date for holiday light install this year, please click below and fill out the form. Once we receive your submission we will reach out to setup your estimate or confirm your install date. 

We have plenty of free dates prior to Thanksgiving this year. Reach out to secure your spot today!

Please feel free to contact us at (281) 859-2122, or on our website at suncoroutdoors.com with any questions.

Get A Quote or Get On The List
Amanda Cox 0 comments September 1, 2024
Categories Pool Construction Pool Maintenance Remodeling A Swimming Pool

Freezing Temps And Your Pool

When the temperature drops pool owners shouldn’t worry if water freezes across your pool’s surface. Your main concern should be with your pool pipes and equipment. If your pool equipment isn’t winterized, water can freeze inside of your pump, filter or heater damaging these components so it’s important to keep water flowing through your pool’s system the entire time the temperature is freezing.

There are things you can do to prevent costly repairs and replacement:

Keep your system running 24/7

  • Most automation systems (Pentair, Hayward, Jandy iAqualink) have built in freeze protection settings that will activate once temperatures get below 39/40 degrees. Your system will run continuously until the temperatures elevate back above 39/40 and will resume your regular schedule.
  • If you do not have an automation system and have a dial timer (timeclocks), you can take the ON and OFF clips off of the dial timer and let your system run continuously so there is always water moving through your system.
  • If you have a second auxillary pump for water features or a waterfall, you will want to make sure to turn that pump on and run it continuously as well until the temperatures elevate back above freezing.
  • Be sure to keep an eye on your equipment. If for any reason your freeze protection setting is not activated by the temp sensor, put your pool into service mode at the automation panel and start the pumps manually. Leave it running 24/7 until the temperatures rise back above freezing.

DON’T let your water level drop.

  • In many homes, the swimming pool is within eyesight of the backyard, so it’s easy to see when the water is down. But for others, the swimming pool is out of view. If you don’t have a water timer or refill mechanism, make sure your pool stays full because your equipment can freeze if air gets through the skimmers and into the system.

DO NOT cover your pool heater with insulation or a blanket.

  • It could accumulate moisture which can corrode the heater’s interior parts causing the coils inside to deteriorate or the burner compartment in the gas heater to rust.
  • The heater could turn on by itself or someone unfamiliar with your pool could turn it on accidentally while the cover is still on. The heat pump needs proper air flow over the coils. Without allowing fresh air in and flue gases out, the equipment won’t operate properly and become damaged causing an expensive repair.

If the power goes out and your pool system stops running:

  • Cut off the current to your equipment from the circuit breaker.
  • Open the air relief valve at the top of the filter. If your air bleed valve is frozen, open it up by melting the ice with warm water.
  • Remove all drain plugs and drain the water from the pump and heater and store them inside the pump basket. Then just place the lid over the pump basket, but don’t lock it down.
  • If you have a chlorinator, remove the tubbing and lid.
  • Open all your valves or adjust your 3-way valve to allow water through to all pipes back into the pool.
Amanda Cox 0 comments December 19, 2022
Categories Landscaping Lawn Maintenance Outdoor Living Pool Construction

Prepare Your Backflow Device for a Hard Freeze

Freezing temperatures don’t happen too often in Houston, but when they do, it’s important to prepare! With the arctic blast scheduled to hit Houston on Thursday, taking the time to prepare your home and yard for the freeze could save you hundreds of dollars on burst pipes.

Prepare Your Sprinkler System

Follow the steps below to remove water and winterize your irrigation system. 

STEP 1: TURN OFF THE SHUT-OFF VALVE

On most residential backflow devices, there are two shut-off valves. These are typically covered in blue rubber and are located before and after the actual backflow device.

STEP 2: RELEASE THE WATER PRESSURE

Now that you have shut off the water valve, you must release the water that is in the device so that it doesn’t expand when it freezes and crack the device. With a flat head screwdriver, loosen the two bleeder valves (#3 and #4 as illustrated). The bleeder valves are usually located just under the plastic top of the backflow. Sometimes, they have rubber inserts you have to remove before you can see the flathead screw. When opening these, be aware that the water will spew out for a few seconds and your hands will get wet. NOTE: If the water doesn’t stop spitting out after a couple minutes, you haven’t fully turned off the water in step 1.

STEP 3: LEAVE THE SMALLER BLEEDER VALVES OPEN

This will allow the water to expand and freeze without being hindered and causing damage.

STEP 4: INSULATE YOUR BACKFLOW

At almost all home improvements stores, they carry backflow preventer insulation materials. Amazon and other stores also carry insulated bags that can be slipped over your backflow and secured with velcro.

Following the above steps will help depressurize your system and prepare it for the freeze. There are so many variables that can cause one residents irrigation to freeze and the next door neighbors not to freeze, the biggest being is your backflow preventer being exposed to the north.

Amanda Cox 0 comments December 19, 2022
Categories Irrigation & Drainage Landscaping Lawn Maintenance

Watering Guidelines for Katy/Cypress/Fulshear/Houston and Surrounding Areas

Lawn Watering Guidelines

Proper watering is critical to your lawn’s health and vigor. Deep and infrequent watering is the best practice. This means wetting the soil to a depth of 3‐5 inches per irrigation. This equates to ½” of irrigation at a time.

Water during the morning rather than in the afternoon or evening; this allows the leaf blades to dry and reduces the risk of disease.  Do not water every day or two. Frequent, short watering encourages shallow roots, unhealthy grass plants and turf susceptible to drought and disease.

Let the turf determine watering frequency. Since heat, humidity, and rainfall can vary, it’s best to water at the first signs of stress, not on a predetermined schedule. As a note,  St. Augustine turf has poor drought tolerance and requires irrigation to survive during our long hot summers where Bermuda grasses are very draught tolerant and require less frequent irrigation but much deeper irrigation cycles.

Here are some guidelines and general tips to keep in mind when preparing your watering schedule. Each lawn and landscape is different and you should always check local weather conditions when planning.

Summer Months / Dry Periods

(Normally June through mid to late September)

 Early morning (5am to 10am)

 It is best to water deeply, less frequently. Consult the temperature guide below.

 Most lawns require 1″ to 1.25″ of water per week, split over several days.

Winter Months / Rainy Periods

(Normally November to February and May to June)

Water only during the daytime hours. Avoid water overnight.

If there is no rain for weeks, use manual cycle and water as needed (no more than once every 1-2 weeks).

Your run times should be adjusted based on how dry your yard is. Winter watering should have run times 50% less than your summer run schedule.

Irrigation spray head averages
Head typeMinutes per weekAmount of water
Pop-up spray head25-35 minutes1″
Rotary spray head50-70 minutes1″
Overall Temperature Guide
TemperatureFrequency of water
60° FEvery 7 – 10 days
70° FEvery 6 days
80° FEvery 5 days
90° FEvery 4 days
Over 95° FEvery 3 days

General Watering Guidelines:

January & February

Late Winter/Early Spring – Rainfall is usually adequate. Water if no rainfall for four weeks.

March, April & May

Water only once per week in the spring, if less than one inch of rainfall occurs.

June – Early September

During the summer, water each section heavily at least twice a week if less than one inch rainfall.

Late September – October

Early Fall is Brown Patch Season and excess water triggers this disease. During September water only once per week if no rainfall and every two weeks in October if no rain.

November & December

In late fall/early winter, rainfall is usually adequate. Water if no rainfall for four weeks

Tip for New Flowers

Water newer flowers 3 to 4 times per week for no more than 5 minutes.

Tip for New Trees

Water newer trees using soaker hoses or direct hose drips once every couple of weeks.

Amanda Cox 1 comment May 17, 2022
Categories Landscaping Lawn Maintenance

Spring To-Do List For Maintaining A Lush, Healthy Lawn Year-Round

Prep Your Yard Now

Admit it — you have lawn envy. Everyone craves their own little patch of grassy paradise, whether it’s to boost their home’s curb appeal or to transform a boring backyard into a family-friendly oasis. Get our top steps to keep your yard healthy and lush 365 days a year.

Weed & Feed

Weed and feed is a spring ritual for many lawn enthusiasts but beware of overdoing it. Late spring is the best time to do this; just make sure you actually have a major weed problem before treating your entire lawn. Too many chemicals can stress the plant's roots, putting your lawn at risk during the intense heat of summer. Consider spot-spraying or pulling broadleaf weeds (dandelions) and applying slow-release fertilizer only if needed.

DEAL WITH BARE SPOTS

Once your lawn begins to green back up in the spring, you may notice a few dips or bare spots. Don't panic — you can deal with these areas by flushing the spot with water, raking out any dead grass, then leveling it out with sand and soil, as needed. Reseed with your grass variety and water regularly until the new grass is fully established.

SEED THE LAWN

Whether you’re starting from scratch or nursing an existing lawn back to health, seeding is an important task you want to get right. Early spring is a good time to do this. Just keep in mind that colder soil conditions may slow growth down a bit. You can also seed in the fall if you miss the window!

WATER  IT WELL

 All grass needs water, and depending on the type of turf you have, that amount will vary. An in-ground irrigation system that operates off a timing system is best for helping to control how much water your yard is getting. Start giving it too much water too early and you could have a soppy mess of a yard.  Early spring, while the temperatures overnight are still cool in Houston you won't need to water anymore than 1 to maybe 2 days a week. If rain is in the forecast, turn off that sprinkler and let mother nature go to work.

BEGIN REGULAR MOWINGS

Your yard will need to start being mowed on a weekly basis once we get into mid-spring. The biggest reason mowing becomes so important is because this is when you will see the weeds start moving in. Regular cutting will help keep the weeds at bay.

LEAVE SOME CLIPPINGS

Your grass clippings are essentially a natural mulch for your lawn. Clippings are rich in organic compounds and will help feed your lawn, so don’t bother bagging them up. Just make sure you mow when the lawn is dry so the clippings don’t clump up.

ADD MULCH

Spring is an excellent time to top all beds with a heavy layer of mulch. It keeps the soil moist and cool, but it also blankets out any weed seeds thinking of getting a head start on your perennials.

CONTROLLING WEEDS

Spring is the best time to prevent weeds by using pre-emergent weed control, which work by preventing weed seeds from germinating. Your first application of a pre-emergent herbicide should occur just as the forsythia bushes finish blooming in spring – that should stop crabgrass and other weeds before they have a chance to grow.

FERTILIZE

Resist the urge to heavily fertilize your lawn in the spring. Spring feeding encourages rapid tender growth that will struggle to survive the heat of summer, particularly in drought-prone areas. Fertilize in late spring as soon as the lawn “greens up” and begins actively growing.

INSECT CONTROL

Spring is a good time to address problems with fire ants. Many other insects, such as grubs and mole crickets, may also cause damage to your lawn in spring but are more effectively controlled later in the summer.

It sounds like a lot to tackle on your own, but with a few weekends and a little bit of time, your yard will be looking it best year-round!  We also offer a variety of lawn maintenance programs to help the burden of maintaining your lawn off of you. Besides the basics (mowing, weeding, pruning) we also offer items like mulchings, annual color plantings, fertilizing, large plant and tree trimming, herbicides and insecticide treatments as well as landscaping overhauls and smaller cleanups. If you need some help in your yard, just give us a call at (281) 859-2122 or contact us.

Amanda Cox 0 comments March 22, 2022
Categories Irrigation & Drainage Landscaping Lawn Maintenance

How to Get Your Yard to Drain

If your yard looks like the below photos after a heavy rain or multiple uses of your irrigation system, your yard has a problem draining properly. Standing water in your yard is not only visually unappealing but can create the perfect environment for unwanted guests like mosquitos.

But How do you fix it?

Wet spots in your yard are a nuisance and an eyesore. Grass will die if it’s underwater for too long. You can’t mow over wet areas, and everyone tracks mud into the house. So what’s the fix? Here’s some tips to help your yard drain properly.

Extend the Downspout 

Landscaping near the house can create a basin for water. Extending the downspout usually solves the problem.

Gutters 

Roof gutters can divert water very efficiently. Make sure gutters are installed around the perimeter of your home to divert the water away from your yard and to the street.

Yard Reshaping

The slope of your yard should angle away from your home to keep water directed towards the street and not your foundation. If the grade of your yard is not going in the right direction, reshaping may be in order.

Top Dressing

Top dressing is a simple method to fix shallow depressions in your yard that collect water following a heavy rain. This method evens out low areas using layers of soil applied over existing grass. Apply a layer of soil to your lawn, 1/4 to 1/2 of inch thick, every eight to 12 weeks. Use dry soil and spread it evenly over the depression with a drop spreader or shovel.

If you have tried the above recommendations and are still having wet spots or standing water, you may need to look at a drainage system including box drains. Box drains are placed in low areas of your yard to help pull water out of your lawn and direct it to the street.

Still having issues getting your yard to drain? Give us a call!
Amanda Cox 0 comments February 27, 2022
Categories Customer Projects Remodeling A Swimming Pool

Correcting a Poorly Built Pool With a Pool Remodel

What Happened To Your Pool?

Finding a pool contractor to build your dream pool is not always an easy task. Doing research about the company you intend to hire is a vital part of the process. So you vetted a contractor, entered in the contractor, and the pool was built. But what if it wasn’t what you expected? What if the contractor never came back to address concerns and provide warranty on problems that arose only months after install?

Believe it or not, this DOES happen! And it happens more frequently than  it should. One of our now clients happened to be put right in the middle of a situation just like this. Instead of receiving the pool he had been dreaming of, he received something much less that lacked on quality and wasn’t a representation of his vision.

Below are some videos outlining some items that you shouldn’t see in a pool build, and things that we here at Suncor Outdoors have set out to repair, replace and correct as necessary to make our customers vision come to life the way it was intended to be.

4 Videos
Amanda Cox 1 comment February 22, 2022
Categories Irrigation & Drainage Landscaping Lawn Maintenance

Prepare Your PVB and Pipes For A Freeze

Cold weather is on the way! Freezing temperatures don’t happen too often in Houston, but when they do, it’s important to prepare! Taking the time to prepare your yard for the freeze could save you hundreds of dollars on burst pipes and plant replacement.

PREPARE YOUR SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Our irrigation systems are simply not made to withstand multiple days below freezing-however by properly draining your back flow and depressurizing the sprinkler lines, we can limit the damage. There are so many variables that can cause one residents irrigation to freeze and the next door neighbors not to freeze, the biggest being is your backflow preventer (the bell on the side of your home) being exposed to the north.

Take these steps to properly winterize your irrigation system: 

Turn off the shut-off valve

On most residential backflow devices, there are two shut-off valves. These are typically covered in blue rubber and are located before and after the actual backflow device.

Release the water pressure

Now that you have shut off the water valve, you must release the water that is in the device so that it doesn’t expand when it freezes and crack the device. With a flat head screwdriver, loosen the two bleeder valves (#3 and #4 as illustrated). The bleeder valves are usually located just under the plastic top of the backflow. Sometimes, they have rubber inserts you have to remove before you can see the flathead screw. When opening these, be aware that the water will spew out for a few seconds and your hands will get wet.  NOTE: If the water doesn’t stop spitting out after a couple minutes, you haven’t fully turned off the water in step 1.

Leave the smaller bleeder valves open

This will allow the water to expand and freeze without being hindered and causing damage.

Insulate your Backflow

At almost all home improvements stores, they carry backflow preventer insulation materials.
WRAP YOUR EXPOSED HOSE BIBS & PIPES

Frozen pipes are one of the biggest property damage risks when the temperature drops. When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands and can burst pipes and cause extensive damage.

Use these tips to prevent your pipes from freezing:

Drain water from garden hoses

The water inside a garden hose can freeze and back up into the spigot until it reaches your pipes.

Protect Hose Bibs

Wrap exposed hose bibs (or pipe) with insulators like a foam pipe sleeve or a outdoor sock faucet cover.
Amanda Cox 0 comments February 12, 2022
Categories Pool Maintenance

Follow These Tips to Prevent Debris from Entering the Pool

Follow These Tips to Prevent Debris from Entering the Pool
Maintaining a backyard pool is often a lot more work than people realize. One key part of pool maintenance is scooping out the leaves and other debris that get into the water—something that many pool owners find themselves doing on a daily basis. If you’re tired of skimming your pool, follow these tips to keep the debris from entering your pool in the first place.

  1. Use a pool cover – When you’re not using your pool, consider putting a pool cover over it to keep debris out. Motorized, retractable pool covers can be built into your pool’s design to make covering it easier.
  2. Trim back trees – Leaves are the most common source of debris in a pool. Trim back branches of nearby trees so they don’t hang over the water and drop their leaves straight in.
  3. Toss in a tennis ball – Some pool debris comes in the form of oily films caused by body oils and sunscreens from swimmers. You can combat this oiliness by tossing in some unused tennis balls. The fuzzy surface attracts these oils and pulls them out of the water.
  4. Maintain proper water levels – While the right water level won’t prevent debris from entering your pool, it does enable your skimmer to work more efficiently, and that means less time with the net for you.
  5. Use a retaining wall – If leaves are blowing into your pool from your lawn, consider putting a retaining wall, fence, or line of shrubs around your pool to help catch the debris before it gets in the water.

Amanda Cox 0 comments September 16, 2021
Categories Building A Swimming Pool Pool Construction

Fall/Winter Is the Best Time to Design New Pool for Next Summer

Many people start thinking about whether or not they want a pool when the weather starts to warm up. Come springtime, people are dreaming of summer, and the idea of having their own pool can start to sound really appealing. But spring actually isn’t the right time to start thinking about pool installation in Katy, TX. Believe it or not, you should start thinking about installing your own swimming pool when the weather starts to cool down, not when it’s starting to heat up. Keep reading to find out why fall and winter are the best times for this kind of work.

Take Time to Get It Right

Sticking a prefabricated pool in the ground can be done quickly. But if you want a custom pool that works perfectly with your landscape, creating that design takes time. It involves a full redesign of all of your landscape—one that doesn’t just find the most convenient place for your pool, but the best place for it. Then, the rest of the yard can be designed around your new pool to create a beautiful finished product.

If custom is something you’re interested in, starting earlier is always better. This gives you the time to get it right, to work out all the little details that will make your new pool truly perfect. An investment this big deserves the time it takes to create exactly what you’re looking for.

Take Advantage of the Slow Season

Like we said, a lot of people start thinking about pool installation in the spring. This means we start to get very busy with the warmer weather. Things slow down significantly in the fall and winter, making it a great time to sit down with a pool designer and get started on creating your pool. While we strive to give every client the attention they need, no matter how busy we are, you can meet with us more frequently and more easily on your schedule in the fall and winter.

And we’re not the only ones who slow down in fall and winter. Permit offices get less busy, too, since many people focus on renovations and upgrades of all kinds in the spring and summer. By applying for construction permits in fall and winter, you can likely get them cleared much faster than you would in spring and summer.

Enjoy It for Longer

When you start building a pool in the spring, odds are, you’re going to miss out on many months where the weather is warm enough to use your pool. Here in Texas, pool season starts fairly early. If you start on your pool design now and get into our schedule, your pool will most likely be finished early on in the warmer season. This gives you many more months to enjoy that new pool, instead of only getting to use it for a month or so before the weather gets too cold.

If custom swimming pools in Katy, TX, are appealing to you, then don’t wait too long to start working on your pool design. Fall and winter are the ideal time to get started, so contact one of our pool designers today to start creating your custom swimming pool.

Amanda Cox 0 comments September 8, 2021