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Irrigation systems, like all mechanical things,
require some periodic maintenance to ensure adequate
performance. Because many residents have
automatic systems that water very early in the
morning, problems often go
unnoticed. Check your system carefully and
take note of the following tips:
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Big leaks – There is a geyser in your
front yard and none of the normal irrigation
controls you’re familiar with will shut it off.
What to do:
Where the irrigation system branches off from
your house water system there is a valve with a
handle to turn (main shut-off valve, usually at
the front of the house opposite the water meter).
Repair the irrigation system piping, replace the
spray head, etc., and turn the valve back to the
"on" position.
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Little leaks –
The water is continually seeping out of a
section of your irrigation system.
What to do:
This type of leak is in
the valve. Replace the valve. It can
be challenging, so be prepared to call a
repair person that specializes in irrigation.
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The water is
spraying in the wrong direction.
What to do:
If it is a sprayhead or microsprayhead you might be
able to just grab the top of the unit and twist
it in the right direction. If it is a rotor, it
probably requires tools and knowledge you don’t
have; call an expert.
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The drip system
seems to be clogged.
What to do:
replace the clogged dripper(s). It is not
usually worth the trouble to try to clean them.
Then clean the filter and flush the system.
Clogging is not something that happens a lot in
properly installed drip systems; if this is a
recurring problem, have the system checked out
by an expert.
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If you are applying too much –
1. Adjust your irrigation controller. Use the
watering
calculator for guidance.
2.
Install a weather-based irrigation
controller that will automatically adjust itself
for weather changes. See Choosing a Control
System above.
If you applying the water too
fast -
1. Divide your total watering time into short
segments with time in between for soaking in.
Note that, unlike choices 2 & 3 below, this is
not a cure for the problem, but a coping
mechanism.
2. If your landscape is several years
old, have the soil aerated. If your landscape is
turf, have it de-thatched. Your gardener should
be able to do this.
3.
Change to a different watering device with a
slower application rate. If your irrigation
system is composed of sprayheads (fixed spray
patterns of quarter, half and full circles) with 15’ or greater radius, change the
nozzles to MP Rotators. See
Landscape
Resources
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This page was last modified on
07/17/2008
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