Proper maintenance of your automated irrigation system will save you both time and money. As a professional in this business, I have a lot of experience working with these systems. I’m going to share some amazing tips for how you can properly maintenance your automatic irrigation system.
Like most other products that are installed around your home, an automatic sprinkler system will need to be properly cared for if you want to get the most out of it. In fact, a system that is not properly kept up can potentially compromise your yard. It will oversaturate some areas while leaving others dry. That’s why regularly scheduled maintenance is necessary. It will make sure that your system operates at peak efficiency throughout the year.
Preventative maintenance will ensure that your irrigation system continues to operate at peak efficiency.
Spring Irrigation System Maintenance Tips
This is when you will turn on your irrigation system after it having been shut down throughout the wintery months. You will need to plug in the system and adjust it correctly before you turn on the automation. Slowly turn it on and let each zone run on a short cycle, visually checking the sprinkler heads to make sure they are all working as they should.
In Spring, grass can grow over the top of sprinkler heads and cause a number of problems. For instance, it can keep them from opening. That’s why it’s important that you visually check each head. Some other issues that you might find with a visual inspection include:
- Broken sprinkler head
- Misaligned sprinkler head
- Broken pipes
- Low water pressure
- Wear and tear
Fixing a problem can be as simple as replacing the damaged part. However, if the problem is too complex, then you might require a professional technician.
Summer Irrigation System Maintenance Tips
Once the spring has passed and the temperatures are on the rise, your irrigation system should be operating at peak efficiency. However, that doesn’t mean that you can stop your preventative maintenance of the system. Perform a monthly visual inspection to make sure that it’s operating as it should. Having a written checklist will help you keep track of everything. You might also need to adjust the settings of your system since your yard might require more water during certain months.
Winter Irrigation System Maintenance Tips
As the fall weather starts to cool everything, you’ll need to prep your system for the winter. You must protect it from the freezing cold temperatures. You will start by blowing all of the water out of the system. This is done after the final fall use, when you know that you will not be using the system until spring. Even if the irrigation system has a drain, it’s still a good idea to blow the water out. Any residual water can freeze and burst your pipes. You should also wrap insulation around any pipes that happen to be exposed to the harsh winter temperatures. Again, you don’t want them freezing, bursting, and causing you a lot of money in damages.