7 each – 1/4″ plastic push on fittings (T’s and straight connectors)
1 – roll of 1/4″ copper tubing
1 – Box of Insulated wire staples
1 – Transition from male hose end to 1/4″ clear pipe (From timer to tubing)
Assembly: Now this is the crafty bit, here are a few steps.
1. Run all of your plastic line to proper locations first.
2. Premake all copper fittings. I used a 1/16 drill bit to drill holes. Crimp one end of tube completely shut.
3. Install all copper fittings but leave them loose.
4. Turn on water and adjust amount of water to each head. (Using the cutting part of my linesmans pliers, I crimp the tube before my drilled holes to slow the water flow. Don’t cut the tubing, just slowly crimp. The goal is to get water evenly spread across all fittings.)
That’s it. Now if you don’t think you have the skill to craft those fittings, check out Rainbirds Kit. Much better engineering than my system, but not quite as fun.
Update: 8-24-09
Here is a picture of the plants without any handwatering through the heat of the summer.
During December in Nashville, we had several weeks of rain during framing of a large project we are working on. Instead of holding off the project until better weather came, I realized that working
under adverse conditions takes thinking outside of the box.
Here is how we dealt with the situation on a recent job site:
We placed a 40 X 60 tarp above our work area and placed enough framing
to give the tarp slope that kept everyone working on the inside.
Now I know our brethren in the west, mainly Oregon and Washington are familiar with protecting a job site
in this way, but for those of us in dryer areas, typically work will
stop until dry times come. For us though, keeping to schedule, and
keeping the hopes up of our clients is much higher importance than
working under a tarp. We were able to build the walls, the ceiling
structure and almost the entire roof in this manner. If you raise the
tarp high enough you could even sheet the roof.
The main idea
behind these concepts is to keep work happening. Finding ways to excell even in the face of adversity is something that will help you
succeed. Remaining
positive, be open for change, and surround yourself with people that
think outside the box.
There is always more than one way to achieve something, are you thinking
outside the box in the face of adverse conditions?
How does one survive in the residential construction industry?
It seems that at times the odds are stacked against us. On one side you must be master of all. On the other, infinitely personable. Compound those necessary attributes and throw in a people-pleaser mentality (which is what I own) and what you have is a mission, not a business.
These qualities are not necessarily deal breakers in making a profit. To survive, I most pro-actively develop a system that says no when I cannot. Or else says yes, but here are the conditions. In order to protect not only myself, but my business these hurdles must be in place.
This comes to the stage when I ask a question. If government wants small businesses to succeed, why don’t they offer franchise type knowledge to the small business owner. Now I know every business is different, but at least start somewhere.
For example in my field of residential construction: Offering a proven method of doing contracting where it is simply plug and play.
Plug in contacts, resources, staff, and receive a method of doing business.
What to approach a prospective client with.
How to invoice, track expenses, branding, etc.
The possibility is endless. No business should stand on the knowledge and charisma of one person. It instead should stand on ideals and methods that work.
Instead of learning everything the hard way I wish someone would hand out a packet of best practices. If anyone knows the construction field, these are not the easiest things to come by. What is the best practice in accounting and relaying information to the client? What is the most proven way of managing a job. What is expected of each and every sub. Cleanliness routines, training sessions, professional attire.
In the private sector, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Whole Foods, Harley Davidson have learned how to do business and their model can easily be copied. Just plug and play.
Like I said earlier, if the government is really concerned with small business succeeding, I think this is one great way to start. Not just by handing money to someone who is a good technician and saying see ya, but investing in models that will work.
So what is my plan? I do want to come up with a residential contractors way of doing business. A franchise so to speak. Something that makes sense to people like me, entrepreneurs who need to be managers and leaders. A place where someone who is interested in making a difference in their field can join and collectively succeed.
Who knows, maybe this already exists. Please share the information if one does exist. I heartily await your advice. I will start posting what I have in the next few months.
