How Can I Improve My Sprinkler System?
A lush, green lawn is every homeowner’s dream. But it’s hard to achieve with a sprinkler system that isn’t operating at peak efficiency.
If your sprinklers aren’t doing their best, here are some easy ways to improve the performance of your system. It starts with a pressure test done as close to the water meter or 'cut in point' as possible.
Check the Pressure
A sprinkler system needs a certain amount of water pressure in order to distribute enough water throughout the yard for your grass and flowers to thrive. Excessive pressure, however, is not good for anything, including your irrigation system. So, if your sprinklers aren't getting enough pressure or you're seeing spots in the lawn, try these simple tips to increase your sprinkler system's pressure.
Start by checking the psi in your water system at each nozzle. You'll need a pressure gauge, which screws right onto your spigot outlet and gives you an instant reading. Take the time to take a reading at each nozzle in your system, noting the difference between the psi reading and the manufacturer's expectations.
You'll also want to account for elevation changes, as these can significantly alter your readings – up to 4.33 psi for every 10 feet of change. Finally, make sure your backflow device is not closed – check the valves to be sure they are fully open.
If your system has a backflow, you'll have to shut off the water supply at the meter. Then, you'll need to remove the sprinkler head by unscrewing it from the riser. Be careful not to lose any parts or water. Then, replace the damaged sprinkler head and turn the water back on.
Another potential reason for low water pressure is a broken valve or clogged valve. You can often find these by observing the sprinkler heads themselves or by using a probe or vacuum hose. It's important to check and repair these problems as soon as possible because they can affect your entire sprinkler system.
If your system has a leak or crushed pipes, you may need to get a professional in to inspect and repair the problem areas. Greenland Lawn Care & Landscaping can also assess your water supply capacity and recommend any upgrades necessary to meet your irrigation system's requirements. In the meantime, make sure your sprinkler head spacing is according to manufacturer recommendations and that you're not over-watering your property. Then, if you're still experiencing low water pressure, it may be time to install a pressure regulator on your irrigation line.
Check the Water Line
A sprinkler system consists of several components, including the control box that regulates when the system turns on and off. This box houses a solenoid connected to a valve, which allows water to flow from where you get your water (like a water meter or reservoir), through the backflow device, and into the irrigation system. From here, pipes carry the water to different sprinkler zones. If your lawn has low water pressure, it’s likely that one or more of these pipes is leaking.
The first step to finding the leak is to turn off your house’s water and check your water meter. If the meter needle continues to move even after turning off your house’s water, it indicates a leak somewhere in or outside your home. The next step is to find where the leak is located.
Depending on where the leak is, there are several ways to repair it. You can replace a section of pipe, repair a broken valve, or patch a small hole in your sprinkler line with a hose repair kit. Before making any repairs, however, make sure the sprinkler system is turned off at the controller. You should also shut off the sprinkler heads at the head valves to prevent water from spraying everywhere.
A more serious problem can be when a pipe has become crushed or compressed. This can be caused by tree roots, vehicles driving over the irrigation lines, or simply age-related wear and tear. This type of repair is typically done by digging up a section of the lawn, finding the affected area, and replacing it with a new section of pipe.
Another common cause of low water pressure is clogged sprinkler heads. This can be caused by dirt, clay, or grass residue that gets into the head and slows the flow of water. It can also be a result of a loose or damaged riser. To determine if this is the case, observe each sprinkler zone for water flow and look for visible evidence of a clogged sprinkler head.
A sprinkler head that is damaged or clogged can reduce your water pressure, so it’s important to check them regularly. To do so, you can remove the sprinkler head from its riser and clean it. You can also remove the screen basket from the bottom of the sprinkler head to check for debris that could be blocking the water flow. It’s also helpful to observe the spraying pattern of each sprinkler head. If it’s not spreading the lawn adequately, you should consider replacing that head with a higher-pressure sprinkler head.
Check the Sprinkler Heads
If you have a sprinkler system, it is very important that the heads are properly positioned and working. This will help to ensure that your lawn and shrubs get the water they need without waste or damage. Often times, you can tell if the sprinkler head is not functioning properly by closely observing its spray pattern and looking for areas where it seems to be missing, or is spraying on things it shouldn't (such as a driveway or sidewalk). This could indicate that the sprinkler needs to be recalibrated.
If the sprinkler head appears clogged, first try removing it from its stem and gently spraying the inside of the head to clean it out. If this does not work, you will need to turn off the water supply to the sprinkler head. Refer to the instructions for your specific sprinkler to determine how to do this. Once the sprinkler head is removed, you can use a ratcheting pipe cutter or the tool shown in this image to cut the pipe just below the head. This should allow you to remove the head and then access the screw that controls the spray radius. Once the head has been removed, it is a good idea to clean out the screen basket with your hands to make sure there are no large chunks of debris inside and then rinse the head.
When reattaching the head, it is important to make sure it is in the proper position and that the screw is tightened properly. It is also a good idea to clean the sprinkler head nozzle itself and the area surrounding it to ensure that there are no obstructions in the nozzle or the spray path.
In addition to the tips mentioned above, you should also check for any issues with the valve box itself. These can be more problematic than the wiring at the controller, especially when the weather is cold and wet. Observe the electrical wiring and make sure it is not loose or damaged, and that the control valves in each zone are all activated.
Check the Spray Pattern
Using the right sprinkler nozzle size and spray pattern saves money in electricity and water costs. It also ensures your lawn and landscape are well-watered with proper coverage.
Checking your system for the correct spray pattern is one of the simplest ways to improve your sprinkler system. It only requires a small flat head screwdriver and can be done while the system is running.
If the spray nozzle has an irregular pattern, this is a sign that something is blocking the spray. A small piece of grass, snail or even a stone can block the nozzle opening and cause the sprinkler to spray unevenly. Use a screwdriver to carefully dislodge the obstruction and restore proper spray distance.
On spray-type heads, the adjustment screw at the top of the nozzle can be used to adjust the arc of the spray. Turn the screw clockwise to increase the arc and counterclockwise to decrease it. It is important to make these adjustments while the sprinkler is running to avoid starting and stopping the water flow.
Many rotary heads have a radius adjustment screw located on the head just in front of the nozzle. This is a common area for adjustment errors and can be used to create uniform coverage on your lawn. If the rotors are spraying onto sidewalks or walls, try partially closing the radius adjustment screw to reduce misting and still maintain adequate coverage.
In addition to adjusting the radius and arc of the spray, you should ensure each sprinkler is covering its own lawn and not watering areas that are already covered by other sprinklers. A simple way to test this is by setting up cups, more or less evenly spaced around your yard. If you find any dry spots it is a good indicator that the sprinkler head needs to be adjusted or the coverage pattern improved.
Remember to not mix different types of sprinkler heads on the same valve circuit. If you have some Rainbird spray heads and some Hunter rotors on the same valve circuit this is not going to be a problem but mixing different brands or types of sprinklers will result in inconsistencies in coverage and possibly damage the sprinkler heads.
A lush, green lawn is every homeowner’s dream. But it’s hard to achieve with a sprinkler system that isn’t operating at peak efficiency. If your sprinklers aren’t doing their best, here are some easy ways to improve the performance of your system. It starts with a pressure test done as close to the water meter…