Here’s what you need to know to make sure your sprinkler system is up and running.
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Make sure your sprinklers are installed by professionals.
Did you know? Sprinklers are an important part of a healthy lawn. When they are maintained correctly, they can help keep the lawn lush and green while also keeping your water bill down.
First, make sure that your sprinklers are installed by professionals. There are plenty of videos on YouTube showing how to install sprinklers yourself, but those who have tried this claim it is much more difficult than it looks! If you do decide to try installing them on your own, be wary of any strange noises or clanging sounds – there’s a chance that your sprinkler system is broken and needs to be replaced.
If you hire a professional, ask them what type of sprinkler style would work best for your yard. Different areas require different types of irrigation systems; there may be other factors like weather or soil type that affect which method would work best for you. You should know about the various types of sprinkler systems: underground pipes buried beneath the grass surface; above-ground pipes laid out along the grass perimeter; and drip irrigation, in which narrow plastic tubes carry water directly to plants’ roots. Once these questions have been answered, make sure you get a good deal from your professional! Set a price range and only agree to pay at or below that number – you don’t want to cost yourself money just because you wanted a certain brand or preferred their service over another’s. Lastly—and most importantly—make sure they install the system correctly! Make sure everything has been hooked up properly before giving them the okay to complete their work; if anything goes wrong with the hose connections or valves, call them back right away so they can fix it before there’s damage to your lawn!
Know how your system works, so you can troubleshoot it yourself.
Did you know?
- The word “sprinkler” comes from the Middle English “springeren,” which means “to sprinkle.”
What to Know:
- Check your sprinkler system manual. Make sure you understand what needs to be done before you go turning on your system and make sure you have all of the parts in place too. If there’s one thing worse than having a dead lawn because your sprinkler system isn’t working, it’s spending money to repair or replace it by mistake.
Sprinklers can be manually manipulated for both water flow and timing in an array of ways, such as turning knobs and pulling levers. You’ll want to make sure that you know how these systems work—and how they’re supposed to work—which is why reading through the manual is so important for any homeowner with a sprinkler system.*
- Although not essential for most homeowners, one good way of getting acquainted with this system is by using a few common tools (one being a pressure gauge), as well as some basic knowledge about how water pressure works in homes. This can help homeowners familiarize themselves with their own specific setup, which allows them to troubleshoot problems more quickly and accurately when they come up.*
Look out for leaks inside or outside the house.
Early spring is the prime time to test your sprinkler system and make sure everything is running smoothly before you start using it. It’s also a great opportunity to look for leaks, as water from melting snow will soak through any cracks in your pipes. Check out these easy ways to find trouble spots in your own home:
Check your basement for dampness or wet walls, which are signs of moisture seeping into the ground around the foundation of your house. If you do find water, note the surrounding area and contact a plumber right away—water can cause severe damage if left unchecked!
Look outside for puddles of water, which could indicate that there’s an unseen leak somewhere on or near the property. If you can’t find it but suspect there might be a problem with one of your hoses or sprinklers, take them off and have them checked by a professional just to be safe.
Look inside for signs of water in the air; this might indicate that there’s steam escaping from somewhere inside like at one of the hot water heaters or radiators. Take note and call a plumber if you notice anything amiss!
If you’re still having trouble pinpointing exactly where an issue is coming from, try listening for hissing noises that may be related to steam escaping its enclosure (like at a radiator).
Make sure your system is adjusted to water the lawn evenly.
Did you know?
- Too much water can drown your lawn. When grass gets too saturated with water, it becomes susceptible to disease.
- Have the sprinkler system checked in the fall and spring to make sure it’s running correctly. Your local lawn care company should be able to adjust the spray pattern of your sprinkler system so that you’re watering evenly and not stressing the soil too much. This is especially important if you have a new lawn or one that was damaged by pests or disease last year.
- Watering early in the morning or late in the evening is best for conserving water, ensuring deep roots, and reducing stress on your lawn.
- Also make sure to check all hoses frequently for holes and leaks during dry seasons, as these are common culprits of wasted watering time and resources!
If you have an irrigation system, be careful that you don’t forget to turn it off if you don’t need it for a few days.
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If you have an underground sprinkler system, make sure that when the grass is frozen in winter, your sprinkler won’t run (that’s not good for the pipes).
In the winter, we often think about how to make sure everything is turned off and shut down. This applies to your lawn sprinklers, too. It may look like a light dusting of snow from the roof of your house, but when it comes down to the ground, it can add up quickly!
Why is this important? When frozen pipes burst, this usually means big problems for you! If your sprinkler starts running in the middle of winter because there’s still a little bit of water in your pipes (or due to poorly installed valves), you could have a major flood on your hands. And that’s no fun for anyone—be it you or your neighbors.
If you have an underground sprinkler system, make sure that when the grass is frozen in winter, your sprinklers won’t run (that’s not good for the pipes). You can use an automatic controller that is programmed to only turn on once temperatures warm up enough—but check with a professional before doing so. They can help you determine what kind of system would work best with your outdoor needs.
Make sure you know where all of those pipe valves are located! While most are inside or underground (if they’re outside then they’re probably clearly visible), there may be others that are hidden from view. Take time to go around and take note of any accessible valves so you know where they all are and if any need maintenance or replacement.
Pay attention to how your sprinkler system is working and make adjustments as needed.
Did you know?
Overwatering your lawn can cause root damage and lawn diseases. Underwatering can cause anaerobic conditions, which leads to brown patches. With both over- and underwatering, less water is good for your lawn because it encourages deeper root systems in the grass.
You might be wondering how to make sure that you’re watering correctly—especially if the last time you were diligent about the sprinklers was when you bought the house. If so, it’s time for a refresher course on sprinkler maintenance:
Make sure your system has enough water pressure from your home’s main water supply line and that there aren’t any leaks in the pipes leading from your house outside to each of the sprinklers.
With a garden hose, turn on each individual sprinkler head and make sure that you get a spray coming out of it (this step is easy to skip but important!). Go around each head in a clockwise manner as well, since this will help water flow back towards your home’s main supply pipe instead of away from it!
This may seem like more work than necessary, but these steps are crucial to making sure that each portion of ground gets watered evenly. By checking them regularly and adjusting periodically as needed, you’ll stay ahead of any problems with an at-home sprinkler system so that another trip to Home Depot isn’t needed anytime soon!Did you know that your sprinkler system needs to be checked at least once a month to ensure it’s running correctly?
If you have any questions about how to do it, just give us a call! We’re always happy to help.
Hey there! Did you know that you can actually make sure your sprinkler system is working properly? It’s true. Just have it checked out by a professional at least once a year.
If you haven’t had a professional check out your sprinkler system recently, don’t wait any longer. Make sure you get it taken care of sooner rather than later–you’ll be glad you did!
Did you know that your sprinkler system will not detect when it is raining? Check out our blog to learn how to make sure your sprinkler system isn’t going off when it’s raining!
Did you know that you can use a tennis ball to test your sprinkler system?
Place a tennis ball in the middle of your lawn. Turn on the sprinklers for 20 minutes, then turn them off. Measure the circumference of the wet spot left by the sprinklers. If it’s between 36 and 42 inches (the size of a regulation tennis court), then your sprinkler system is functioning properly!
If it’s not, you may have sprinklers installed too close together or too far apart, which could be wasting water and money. Talk to a professional about getting your system fixed up!
Did you know that your sprinkler system should be checked at least once a year?
Sprinkler systems are designed to prevent fires, and they’re an important part of any building’s safety equipment. Yet too often, people forget to check them! Set a reminder on your calendar in the spring and fall to make sure your sprinkler system is working.
Here are some things to check:
1. Make sure the whole system is working by turning on the valves manually.
2. Check for water flow by turning on the valves one by one and making sure adequate water pressure is maintained in each valve.
3. Make sure each sprinkler head is spraying water properly, without clogs or obstructions.
4. Remove rust, dirt, and mineral deposits from each head using vinegar or another household acid cleaner.
Did you know that even in the wintertime, it’s important to check your sprinklers?
Winterizing your sprinkler system is essential for keeping your pipes from freezing and making sure your yard stays healthy.
First, turn off the water supply to your irrigation system. Then, blow out the pipes using compressed air and drain any remaining water out of the valves. Don’t forget to disconnect the hoses too!
That’s all there is to it! And don’t worry if you need a refresher on how to do this next year—we’ll be here with another reminder!