What is the Proper Maintenance of Sprinkler?
A sprinkler system leak can waste water and money. Regularly inspecting your entire irrigation system can help you spot leaks, broken lines and misdirected sprinkler heads.
Clogged or misdirected sprinklers cause wet spots on your lawn that can damage its health. They also lead to over-watering, which can be just as harmful.
Checking the System
Whether you have an underground sprinkler system or a drip irrigation one, the same basic maintenance is essential to keep it in top condition. Irrigation systems are complex networks of pipes and valves designed to distribute water evenly across a lawn or other landscaped areas. While they can make the job of watering your yard much easier, it’s important to let Greenland Lawn Care & Landscaping maintain them properly to ensure that they are delivering the right amount of water to your lawn and landscaping while also helping prevent problems like leaks or clogs.
To start with, it’s a good idea to check the system before you begin the season by flushing the lines and checking each sprinkler head for signs of misalignment or damage. You’ll also want to ensure that the sprinkler heads are not spraying on sidewalks or driveways, and that they are not blocked by weed growth or other obstructions. If necessary, you can adjust the spray pattern or replace nozzles to correct these issues.
Another area that requires regular attention is the system’s control valves, which can be located above ground or buried underground. Leaks and malfunctioning valves can cause your sprinklers to work inefficiently, which could result in a water bill that is higher than it needs to be. Regular inspection and repair of these components can help reduce these unnecessary costs.
It’s also a good idea to regularly test the sprinkler system’s voltage. If the voltage is too low, it can affect the function and longevity of the entire system. A simple multimeter can be used to perform this test, although electrical work should always be left to licensed professionals.
Finally, you’ll want to consider whether your sprinkler system has any automatic features that could contribute to unnecessary water waste. Rain sensors and smart controllers, for example, can be very helpful in reducing water waste by automatically adjusting your sprinklers when it rains or based on weather data. Regularly testing and ensuring that these functions are working correctly can save you money in the long run.
Cleaning the Heads
Over time, sprinkler heads can take on all sorts of residue and clog, which affects water distribution. When this happens, your yard may not receive the proper amount of water to keep it healthy and green.
Inspecting sprinkler heads regularly will help you identify the source of any problems before they become serious. It’s especially important to check them after your lawn is mowed, as clumps of grass can easily block the sprinkler head nozzles. In addition, it’s a good idea to periodically trim dense grass and weed growth that grows around sprinkler heads, to prevent them from being obstructed by overgrowth.
The simplest way to inspect your sprinkler heads is to turn the system on manually and assess their spray pattern. If there are any sprinkler heads that don’t turn on or spray evenly, it’s a good idea to remove the head and clean it. Usually, this involves unscrewing the head and using a brush or hose to rinse away dirt, debris, and even grass clippings that have collected inside the nozzle.
It’s also a good idea to look for any sprinkler heads that appear to be leaking. If you find any sprinklers with holes or cracks, it’s a good idea to contact your irrigation professional for assistance.
Keeping up with regular sprinkler maintenance can help you avoid costly repairs down the road. In fact, if you catch problems early on, you’ll save money and help your landscape thrive in the long run.
In addition to checking your sprinkler heads for damage, it’s also a good idea to examine the valve box and the sprinkler head piping. In particular, make sure that the backflow device is in working order, and if it’s a pressure regulator, that it’s properly adjusted.
Adjusting the Heads
Sprinkler heads can be damaged by a wide variety of factors. Regular wear, shifting soil, lawn mowers and even improper installation can wreak havoc on the system’s sprayers.
Over time, dirt and grass clippings build up on the heads, blocking the nozzle or altering the spray radius. Regular inspections can identify these issues and make the necessary corrections before they cause damage.
Leaks are another common problem. In fact, they are one of the most common reasons for system failure. Proper maintenance practices can help reduce water waste, lower utility bills and prevent landscape damage.
Performing regular inspections can also allow you to catch issues like misdirected sprinklers or broken heads early. This allows you to correct the problems promptly and avoid expensive repairs.
A common problem with irrigation systems is clogged nozzles. This can be caused by a number of factors, including a faulty valve solenoid, dirt or debris in the sprayer hose or a dirty nozzle. In some cases, the best option is to completely replace the sprinkler head.
When the time comes to replace the head, make sure to flush the system before beginning. This will ensure that all the nozzles are free from clogs and can be properly positioned.
In addition to removing and replacing the heads, it is also important to regularly inspect the spray pattern to make sure that all of the sprinklers are operating correctly. This is particularly true for rotor and gear-driven rotor sprinklers, which are often buried underground and may be difficult to access without the proper tools.
To adjust a rotor head, find the pull-up socket (usually a small knob) on the side of the head and push the end of the hex key into it. The head will then pop up, and you can adjust the inner assembly to change the arc distance. A rotary head with an adjustable radius can be adjusted by turning the hex key counterclockwise to change the radius and clockwise to increase it. Some rotary heads are designed to spray a fixed radius, but in these cases, you will only be able to change the direction of the head.
Winterization
The next step in the proper maintenance of sprinkler involves draining and winterizing the system before freezing temperatures arrive. This step prevents the pipes from cracking or bursting when they freeze. It's a crucial part of keeping your system in good shape, especially if you live in an area with harsh winters.
The exact steps required for this will vary by your specific sprinkler system, but they will likely include shutting off the water supply at the main shut-off valve and then draining out the rest of the piping. You can do this by shutting off each zone, opening the sprinkler head drain valves (if they exist), or using an air compressor to blow out all the water from the piping.
An air blowout is the best option, but only a professional lawn care expert should attempt this method since it requires an air compressor with a high enough rating to not damage your irrigation system's water pipes. It also takes the most time and effort, but it's the most effective way to ensure that all the water has been blown out of your sprinkler system's pipes and heads.
Ideally, you should schedule your sprinkler blowout service early in the fall, before any hard frost occurs in your area. This will give you a better chance of finding a pro with the necessary equipment who is available at an affordable rate.
As part of your yard maintenance, you should also check the sprinklers to make sure they're spraying evenly and distributing water in the desired areas. If there are areas that are receiving too little or too much water, you can adjust the spray patterns by adjusting the nozzles or installing pressure-regulating sprinkler heads.
Regular cleaning of your sprinkler heads is also important for preventing clogs and ensuring that they distribute water in the desired areas. In addition to clearing away dirt and debris, you should also look for any cracks or gaps in the piping that need to be repaired. This will help keep your system in good working condition throughout the year.
A sprinkler system leak can waste water and money. Regularly inspecting your entire irrigation system can help you spot leaks, broken lines and misdirected sprinkler heads. Clogged or misdirected sprinklers cause wet spots on your lawn that can damage its health. They also lead to over-watering, which can be just as harmful. Checking the System…