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Frequently Asked Questions

About Carefree Systems

General Questions

Q: How long has Carefree Systems been in business?

A: Carefree Systems has proudly served Chicagoland homeowners (residential) and businesses (commercial) since 1987, providing reliable outdoor services backed by decades of experience.

Q: What areas do you service?

A: We service Chicagoland and surrounding suburbs, including: New Lenox, Mokena, Tinley Park, Orland Park, Frankfort, Lemont, Lockport, Naperville, and more suburbs in Will, Cook and DuPage County.

Q: Do I need to be home during my appointment?

A: Some services, such as spring sprinkler start-ups and winterizations, require a homeowner to be present unless your system is equipped with our SprinklerLok system—our office will clarify this at the time of scheduling. If you’re interested in upgrading your system so you never have to be home for sprinkler service, please contact our office for a no-cost estimate.

Q: How do I schedule service?

A: You can schedule by calling our office (815) 462-3300 or filling out a request through our website. We recommend scheduling early during peak seasons, as appointments often book several weeks out.

Q: Are your technicians licensed and insured?

A: Yes. Our technicians and company are fully trained, licensed where required (including RPZ certification), and insured.

Q: Do you work on systems you didn’t install?

A: Absolutely. We service and repair all major sprinkler system brands, regardless of who originally installed the system.

Lawn Sprinkler Systems – Residential & Commercial

Q: What sprinkler services do you offer?

A: We provide:
• New sprinkler system installations
• System repairs & troubleshooting
• Spring start-ups / activations
• Fall winterization / blowouts
• System upgrades & efficiency improvements
• Mid-season inspections

Q: When should I turn my sprinkler system on?

A: Spring activations typically begin once freezing temperatures have passed — usually early to mid-spring in Chicagoland (April-June).

Q: Why is professional winterization important?

A: Proper winterization prevents frozen pipes, cracked fittings, and costly repairs by fully evacuating water from your system before winter.

Q: How often should my system be inspected?

A: We recommend annual inspections, especially during spring start-up and fall shutdown, to catch issues early. We provide these inspections with our seasonal programs.

Lawn Fertilization Programs

Q: What does your fertilization program include?

A: Our fertilization program is designed to strengthen root systems, improve turf color, and support long-term lawn health through seasonally appropriate treatments, including four strategically timed, nitrogen-enriched fertilizer applications. We also offer a variety of add-on options to customize the program to fit your lawn’s specific needs.

Q: Is your fertilizer safe for pets and children?

A: Generally speaking, yes. After each application, our technicians leave clear recommendations for homeowners, including how long to stay off the lawn and any other important post-treatment guidelines. Carefree Systems and our technicians are fully licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and all treatments are applied strictly according to manufacturer specifications to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Q: How often is fertilizer applied?

A: Programs typically include multiple applications throughout the growing season to ensure consistent results.

Lawn Aeration Programs

Q: What is lawn aeration?

A: Aeration removes small plugs of soil to allow water, air, and nutrients to reach the turf roots more effectively.

Q: When should I aerate my lawn?

A: Aeration is best performed in the fall or spring, depending on lawn conditions and turf type.

Q: Do I need to aerate every year?

A: Most lawns benefit from annual aeration, and overseeding especially in high-traffic or compacted areas.

RPZ Testing & Certification

Q: What is RPZ testing?

A: RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone) testing ensures your irrigation system’s backflow preventer is functioning properly and protecting the public water supply.

Q: Is RPZ testing required?

A: Yes. Many municipalities require annual RPZ testing for commercial properties and residential systems. Section 890.1130 of the Illinois Plumbing Code, requires mandatory, annual testing of backflow prevention devices (RPZ valves) for residential and commercial properties, typically by June 1st or July 1st. Testing must be performed by a certified Cross Connection Control Device Inspector (CCCDI).

Q: Do you submit test results to the village?

A: Yes, we submit all test results to the appropriate municipality (or city, village, county, etc.).

Pond Treatments, Fountains & Aerators

Q: What pond services do you offer?

A: We provide pond treatments, aeration systems, fountain installation, maintenance, and seasonal service to improve water quality and appearance.

Q: How do pond treatments help?

A: Treatments reduce algae growth, control odors, improve clarity, and support a healthier aquatic environment.

Q: Do you service existing fountains and aerators?

A: Yes. We service, repair, and maintain existing systems — even if installed by another provider. We service all makes and models of fountain and aerator systems.

Mosquito Control

Q: How does mosquito control work?

A: Our treatments target mosquitoes, ticks, and other nuisance insects by reducing breeding areas and applying effective barrier treatments.

Q: How long does mosquito treatment last?

A: Treatments typically last 2–4 weeks, depending on weather and atmospheric conditions as well as your property’s layout.

Q: Is mosquito control safe for pets?

A: Yes, our mosquito abatement treatments are considered safe when applied by our licensed and trained technicians and the after-application instructions are followed correctly. At Carefree, we provide clear and easy to follow care instructions with each visit to ensure safety to your family and pets!

Outdoor & Landscape Lighting

Q: What types of lighting do you install?

A: We design and install landscape lighting that highlights homes, walkways, trees, and outdoor features while improving safety and curb appeal.

Q: Do you offer maintenance for lighting systems?

A: Yes. We provide ongoing maintenance, bulb replacement, repairs, and system adjustments as needed.

Billing, Pricing & Service Expectations

Q: Do you offer service plans or packages?

A: Yes. We offer seasonal programs and bundled services for sprinklers, fertilization, and mosquito control.

Q: How is pricing determined?

A: Pricing depends on system size, property layout, and service type. Estimates are provided upfront.

Q: Why choose Carefree Systems?

A: Customers choose Carefree Systems because of our decades of experience, consistent results, professional technicians, easy scheduling process, and long-standing reputation throughout Chicagoland. We’ve built our name on being dependable, knowledgeable, and courteous—showing up on time, doing the job right, and making the entire experience simple for homeowners and businesses alike.

At Carefree, we are always looking for new ways to improve the customer experience, whether through tested product innovations or upgraded scheduling software. We continuously refine our processes so our customers can truly enjoy a carefree service experience. We believe that customer satisfaction equals success—and that commitment drives everything we do.

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