Common Irrigation Installing and Troubleshooting Problems
Source:Alliance for Water Efficiency
It's inevitable: no matter how well or careful you do your irrigation installing and troubleshooting, something's bound to happen.
Time, weather conditions, and consistent use will all contribute to your irrigation system to deteriorate and in need of repair. When these happen, they're not only inconvenient. They can also be very expensive, costing you hundreds—even thousands—of dollars on your water bill.
The good news is that many of the common irrigation installing problems can easily be solved.
Here are the most common irrigation installing problems and how to troubleshoot them.
1.Water is misting everywhere.
If you've noticed your sprinkler misting elsewhere aside from your sprinkler heads, it could be that the water pressure is way too high.
The average of the water going through your sprinklers should be between 30 and 50 psi. If it's more than that, the pressure will force the water to escape through the places where your sprinkle head connects with the hose. This is what's causing the mist to appear.
One way to fix this is by reducing the amount of water flowing through your hose by not opening your water valve completely. You can also replace your current sprinkler head with a pressure reducing one that you can find in your local handyman store or online.
2.Your irrigation system continues running even while it's raining.
Ideally, your garden's irrigation system should shut down when it's raining. If this doesn't happen, there's a good chance that there's a problem with its sensors.
A quick solution for this is by replacing the sensors. You can find different kinds of wireless rain sensors online and at your local handyman store that cost less than $200. These sensors are sensitive enough so your irrigation system will shut down even if you're just experiencing a mild shower.
3.Water is constantly running off.
If the water from your irrigation system keeps on running off, this can eventually cause the soil on your landscape to erode. If your house is situated on a sloppy or hilly area, this can mean that your pristine garden can get ruined.
One solution is to check if your irrigation's control is fitted with a cycle feature. If it does, turn this on. This should reduce the amount of water being dispersed so that it doesn't run off.
Another thing to check is whether anything is blocking the pipes in your irrigation system. Sometimes, the roots and leaves of your shrubs and plants can find their way into your irrigation system, causing these to get blocked. When that happens, the water won't be able to flow correctly. If this is the reason, get rid of the leaves and prune your shrubs so that the water will flow freely.
When your irrigation installing and troubleshooting fails
The quick fixes mentioned here should resolve most common irrigation installing and troubleshooting problems. However, there are situations when the issues will continue to persist.
In cases like this, it will be best to call a professional gardener or handyman to help you out. They have the proper equipment needed to assess and fix the problem. They will also provide you with a warranty for the work that they did, so if any further issues arise, they will be able to fix this for you for a fraction of the cost, or even for free.
