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Irrigation System Maintenance

To be truly efficient, all irrigation systems must undergo routine maintenance regardless of the system's size and scope.

Here are some tips to help you maintain an efficient irrigation system. (Source:  California Landscape Contractor's Association, San Diego Chapter Newsletter, September 2007):

Monthly: Observe each valve circuit in operation:

  • Is sprinkler coverage even? Check to see if water from each sprinkler head reaches the adjacent sprinkler head(s). This is head to head coverage.
  • Do plants block the spray patterns? Turf grass, tree branches, and shrub limbs can grow in the path of your sprinkler patterns.
  • Are the sprinklers leaning or broken? Straighten them to irrigate efficiently.
  • Are there any leaks? Don't forget to check your hoses also.
  • Do drip lines appear to be intact? Drip lines can separate, and it may be worth it to walk the lines periodically.
  • Is water being applied to sidewalks? Eventually, water can damage cement and asphalt surfaces. 

Annual: Flush the irrigation system:

  1. Turn the system off.
  2. Remove individual spray nozzles from sprinklers at the end of each line and/or remove the end caps from drip lines.
  3. Turn the system on for a few minutes until a clean, solid stream of water flows from each sprinkler head and/or the end of the drip line.
  4. Turn the system off.
  5. Carefully check the nozzles and thoroughly rinse screens or filters for drip lines.
  6. Reassemble the system. Turn the system on and check for proper operation.

Inspect irrigation equipment and repair as needed:
What do I look for when inspecting the system?

  1. Broken sprinkler heads
  2. Leaning sprinkler heads
  3. Over spray (water hitting pavement or other unintended areas).
  4. Rotors not rotating
  5. Misting around heads (indicates the pressure is too high).
  6. Uneven coverage (non head to head coverage).
  7. Spray patterns blocked by plants or other obstruction.
  8. Clogged nozzles or drip emitters.
  9. Leaking drip lines, missing emitters.
  10. Check valve operation both manually and automatically.

Check for system leaks:

  1. Look for excessively wet areas, unusual mounding in turf areas, or water flowing or seeping from turf/sidewalk edges.
  2. Watch your water meter while a station is running and determine if the gallons per minute distribution is correct given the amount and type of spray heads or drip emitters being used.
  3. With drip systems, look for any unwanted bubbling or spraying, missing or broken emitters, separations of drip lines.

Checking the timer:

  1. Turn the timer off and clean out any bugs, snails etc. Turn the timer on manually and go through the stations to see that each valve activates and runs for the scheduled time.
  2. Review the irrigation schedule to see if it is appropriate for each area.
  3. Replace the battery if needed.

(Loren Godes, Hydro-scape Products, CLCA San Diego Chapter President)

 

 



  

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