A good irrigation system is essential for lush, healthy grass. However, your sprinkler system must be in good working order to keep your grass and foliage flourishing. Replacing or repairing a damaged system can be costly, and it may necessitate digging up your lovely grass in the process. For these reasons, it is vital to keep up with irrigation maintenance all year round.
Irrigation systems that are well-maintained last longer and are also beneficial for the environment (and your wallet). Up to 15% less water is used by systems that get periodic maintenance!
Here are some of the greatest irrigation management procedures that will make a huge impact on the performance of your sprinkler system.
Regularly check the water pressure in your sprinkler head
Any rapid (or even gradual) fluctuations in your irrigation system’s water pressure might indicate that something is amiss. Water pressure fluctuations usually signal a blockage or rupture in the pipes. The sooner you deal with these problems, the better.
An irrigation system is set to a PSI of 40 to 65 for most lawns. Look to see if there are any evident difficulties, such as a damaged sprinkler head, if that number climbs or lowers. If you can’t figure out what’s wrong from the outside, hire an irrigation maintenance firm to come to take a look.
Change the timing of your sprinklers
If you leave your sprinklers on all year, you will not only waste a lot of water, but you may also prematurely wear out your system. There’s no reason to let your sprinklers run as much on wet spring or fall days as they do in the summer.
Instead, reduce the system’s pressure or adjust the schedule so that it doesn’t run as frequently while your lawn is already dry. You can also install rain or ice sensors in your irrigation system to turn it off automatically when the weather changes.
Winterization of Irrigation Systems
Because water expands when it freezes, any water left in the pipes of your irrigation system over the winter might cause catastrophic harm. Once temperatures approach or fall below freezing, it’s critical to preserve your sprinklers by winterizing them.
The first step is to drain as much water as possible from your pipes. Turn off your irrigation system and allow the water to drain. To gather every last drop, it is recommended that you utilize an air compressor to dry up the pipes. Because it is simple to burst pipes during this operation, you can contact a professional service to perform it for you.
Finally, keep snow and ice out of your sprinkler heads by covering them with plastic or other protective covers. This will assist to safeguard your system until spring when it will be ready to switch on again.
Sprinkler Heads Should Be Cleaned
Sprinkler heads can be clogged by even little clumps of dirt or grass, causing your irrigation system to malfunction. As a result, you should check all of the sprinkler heads on a regular basis to determine if any are blocked. To gather every last drop, it is recommended that you utilize an air compressor to dry up the pipes.
If you need to clean your sprinklers more thoroughly, carefully remove or unscrew them from the pipe and apply a gentle cleaning solution. There may be a filter within the sprinkler that needs to be cleaned using a moist cloth.
You may soak sprinkler heads in home rust remover to break up calcium or mineral build-up if you have hard water or rust.
Sprinkler Head Angles Can Be Adjusted
Lawnmowers, foot activity, animals, and even powerful gusts of wind may all push sprinkler heads about. This will clearly harm the sprinkler and result in a spray pattern that is inconsistent. If the sprinkler has been knocked over, you may need to shovel out some of the ground beneath it before repositioning it.
Maintain the efficiency of your irrigation system
Routine maintenance is the best method to maintain your Irrigation Installations in good working order. Inspections, cleanings, and improvements should be performed on an irrigation system on a regular basis to spot minor concerns before they become major difficulties.
It’s a good idea to get your system inspected in the spring to verify that it’s ready for the following season. During the season, you should get your sprinklers checked to verify that they are operating correctly.
Use Irrigation Tools That Are Smart
You can construct a smart irrigation system by using cutting-edge technologies. This will not only help you save water. But it will also alert you to any problems before you even realize them.
Sensors in smart irrigation systems monitor changes in weather, water pressure, and evaporation rates. It also allows them to adjust water use accordingly. You may also turn on and off your system remotely using an app on your smartphone. You can also be notified if there is a blockage or a fractured pipe in your irrigation system.
Flush your sprinkler system once a year
Before the season begins, it’s a good idea to cleanse your system. This will clear the pipes of any debris, dust, or grime that has accumulated during the winter. All you have to do now is switch on your water system and let it flow until everything is clear. If this takes a long time or you see a lot of debris in the water. You should contact irrigation maintenance.
