Love Irrigation Blog Irrigation Six Common Areas of Concern For Your Lawn Sprinkler System

Six Common Areas of Concern For Your Lawn Sprinkler System

It is important to make sure your sprinkler system is in good working order year round.

Revisions, repairs, and upgrades can save you time and money. Here are 6 common areas of concern for your irrigation system:

1. Head to Head Water Coverage

For grass areas, a properly designed sprinkler system will provide coverage that overlaps. The water from the heads should reach the heads across from them, as well as the heads on the sides. For example, if the nozzles are 15-foot nozzles, the heads should be spaced 15 feet apart. A competent landscape contractor will advise you about this, and if you’re doing the work yourself, the first step is to measure your yard and do a scale drawing. You can them take the plan to the irrigation supply store, and they should be able to help you with the plan.

2. Head Adjustments and Nozzle Selection
Fine tuning your sprinkler system is important. Make sure the heads are pointed slightly upward or downward for slopes. Nozzles exist for various angles, as well as adjustable nozzles that can be set for any degree. It is best to attach the heads with “swing pipe”, which is a flexible rubber hose, about 12 inches long. This provides the ability to adjust the head, as opposed to using a rigid pipe to connect.

3. Low Volume or “Drip” Irrigation

Plants in bed areas can thrive on low volume irrigation, otherwise known as a “drip” system.  This is an excellent way to save on your watering bill, while preserving water resources. The main concerns are selecting the proper drip emitters and placing them in the right locations. Generally speaking, the emitters should be installed around the perimeters (or “drip lines”) of trees and shrubs, and a common mistake is to place them too close to the trunk. Small spray devices and other accessories can be used for flower bed areas. There is a wide assortment of attachments that can easily be plugged into the main drip line or connecting tubing. An existing zone that has spray heads can be converted to a drip system fairly easily. Once the drip system is installed, routine maintenance is also very simple for the homeowner.

4. Controllers

There is a big selection of state-of-the-art controllers that can be programmed with great flexibility. Most are reasonable prices, and it’s advisable to have an electronic digital type. The vast majority of people agree they’re very user-friendly.

5. Automatic Rain Shut-Off Devicessprinkler system - Rain Sensor- Rain Bird wireless

These ingenious pieces of equipment are largely overlooked, even by professional landscapers. They are very small devices, simple to install (often on a fence) and very inexpensive. How many times have you seen a sprinkler system operating in the rain, wasting countless amounts of water? A rain shut-off device will prevent this, and it is strongly recommended they be attached to all sprinkler system installations.

6. Weatherization

A very important thing to consider to prevent future costly repairs to your sprinkler system. Winter shutdown and spring start-up procedures vary in different areas. Some systems have automatic drain valves and others require a manual procedure. In addition, valves and backflow devices should be covered with insulation for the winter months.

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