Top 7 Tips To Easily Maintain Your Irrigation System

Most homeowners and business owners anticipate that their irrigation systems will operate faultlessly for the foreseeable future. Still, like any other tool, an irrigation system will require periodic upkeep. If you take care of your irrigation system, it will reward you with years of efficient watering that reduces water waste and saves you money.

During the warmest and driest weeks of summer, many homeowners rely on in-ground irrigation systems to keep their lawns looking lush and green. You might want to give your irrigation system a check before you turn it on this year.

If you want your irrigation system to function perfectly this summer, check out these handful tips:

1. Monitor Water Pressure

Make sure the water pressure is set correctly before you switch on the sprinkler system for the first time. Most experts agree that somewhere between 40 and 65 PSI is optimal.

2. Schedule Routine Checkups

You should inspect the irrigation system several times a season. You must conduct the first inspection before turning on the irrigation system. At the midway point of the season is when you should do your second check. But if you can, it’s best to inspect the irrigation system once a month. 

Verify that the controller is properly connected and operating. Substitute the battery. Ensure all sensors and wires are securely fastened. Modify the plan to fit the season and the present state of your garden. Finally, power on each area separately to inspect for malfunctions.

3. Flush The System

At the beginning of each season, it is important to do a system flush. To avoid buildup, it’s important to regularly flush the irrigation system’s starting point. 

If the irrigation system isn’t protected, debris will enter and jam the nozzles. Nozzles can get clogged from regular wear and tear or from using water from a contaminated source. You shouldn’t just flush the system, but also put screens on all of the sprinkler heads, take steps to improve the filtration, and swap out any blocked nozzles.

4. Inspect The Lawn For Brown Patches

To check for malfunctions in your irrigation system, take a trip around your lawn. If you notice them, check for a blockage in the sprinkler’s head or line, or increase the water pressure in the area. Either there is a drainage problem with the soil or the sprinkler is putting out too much water and needs to be adjusted. You can test to see if this makes a difference by activating the sprinkler and altering the timing in the relevant zones. Alternatively, you might want to bring in an expert.

5. Analyze The Sprinkler Heads

Do not presume that the sprinkler heads in your irrigation system are in excellent working order and in good condition. An ever-increasing number of sprinkler heads will eventually crack or sink due to normal wear and tear. Lawnmowers, shifting soil, sloppy installation, and general wear and tear all take their toll on these heads. 

Before you turn on the sprinklers, you should check the irrigation system and replace any broken or missing heads. Sprinkler heads installed on a swing pipe can “float” within the earth, making them less vulnerable to damage.

6. Operate Irrigation Systems Carefully

Overwatering some parts of your landscape or having unattractive brown patches can result from anything as simple as a tilted head. When repositioning your sprinkler heads, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to the letter. It’s possible that some of the sprinkler heads have become displaced over time. Heavy lawn mowers and other machinery can cause settlement of the soil if it is not compacted around the sprinkler heads. 

Moreover, the spray patterns can be disrupted by even the accumulation of lawn clippings and other random particles on the heads. Utilize elongated sprinkler bodies to get these heads up to the required height. It’s also possible to achieve this result by installing risers or by trimming the grass close to the spray heads.