A home irrigation system is a great investment but in order to keep your system running properly, you will need to perform regular maintenance on it. Most people will simply wait until the system breaks down and then call a professional in to fix the problem but there are some steps that you can take to help extend the life of your system. The truth is that you can save yourself a lot of money by following these three tips. They are critical to the life and efficiency of your irrigation system. Routine care also helps keep the system running as efficiently as possible.
#1: Clean Irrigation Nozzles
Sprinkler heads will get clogged by debris which can cause them to operate less efficiently. Sometimes they will completely stop working. Clogged heads can lead to deeper problems so it’s important that you stay on top of it. One sure sign of clogged nozzles is that they will start putting out less water than usual. Fortunately, this is an easy problem that does not require professional assistance. The solution is to use an old rag to thoroughly clean the nozzles and heads. Wipe away all of the muck and debris. Once you have finished cleaning, test the system again to make sure that you have cleared the problem.
#2: Fix/Replace Damaged Parts
It only takes one damaged part in your irrigation system for the whole thing to shut down or start spreading water unevenly. Uneven spraying can cause water to pool up in your yard. If you find water pooled in your yard, then chances are that your system is damaged so you will need to track down the damaged part and fix or replace it. Turn off the irrigation system and take a closer look at the sprinkler head. Examine everything thoroughly. There are certain parts that you are able to fix on your own but if it looks too complicated, you might want to call in a professional technician. You will also need help if you cannot identify the issue.
#3: Update Settings
If your irrigation system is being used for an exceptionally large area, then it’s important that your settings are adjusted correctly. You need to make sure that enough water is going to each zone and that you’re not putting too much water onto one zone. Adjust the individual setting for each area. Areas that receive more sunlight will need to receive more water while shaded areas should receive less. This keeps the cooler areas of your property from being oversaturated with water. Not only does this keep water from forming puddles, but it saves you money on your water bill!
The Bottom Line
Preventative maintenance will save you a lot of money in the long-term. What’s important is that you are checking the right things and performing it at the right times. The most important times for preventative maintenance are just before winter when you shut down the system and just before spring when you start using the system again.