Tips
for Establishing a Systematic Maintenance Schedule for
Inspecting and Testing an
Automated Irrigation System.
- Thoroughly
inspect the irrigation system after activation in the spring and make sure
it’s operating properly.
- Check, adjust
and repair your irrigation equipment within 24 hours of mowing whenever possible.
- Check the water
supply and pressure. Differences in the sprinkler systems design operating
pressure and actual water pressure can affect operation and efficiency.
- Verify that
the backflow prevention device is working correctly.
- Inspect the
valves to see if they operate without slamming open or closed in order to
prevent damage from surges.
- Verify that
heads are properly adjusted - check the nozzle, arc, radius, level and attitude
with respect to slope.
- Look for debris
(e.g., rocks, sand, dirt) lodged in sprinkler heads and drip emitters.
- Identify leaks
and repair them promptly. Signs of leakage include particularly green spots,
soggy areas around spray heads and above ground hoses, jammed spray heads
and torn hoses.
- Repair or replace
broken hardware and pipes with materials that match the originals. Test all
repairs.
- Shut off irrigation
systems and adjust whenever irrigation water falls or runs onto hard surfaces
such as sidewalks, streets or driveways.
- Whenever possible,
update and retrofit existing irrigation systems to take advantage of new water-saving
technology (e.g., rain shut-off devices, drip irrigation).
- Periodically
verify that the plant material is healthy, has deep roots and adequate soil
moisture.
- Reset automatic
controllers according the changing/seasonal needs of the plants. Irrigation
systems should be rescheduled bi-monthly to correct run times.
- As plants mature,
add or relocate system components as needed to maintain uniform distribution
of water. Ensure that system modifications do not exceed the system watering
capacity.
- Understand
the capabilities of the irrigation system and use them properly. For example,
for spray irrigation systems, program the irrigation controller for multiple
start times on watering days to reduce runoff and deep percolation below the
root zone. That is, if the total watering time is 24 minutes, set the controller
to three cycles of 8 minutes each per cycle started each half-hour. (Drip
systems should NOT be cycled in this manner.)
- Whenever possible,
incorporate the use of evapotranspiration (ET) data and modify it to your
own plant and soil needs. Seasonally, the reference ET rate can be found under
Current Events & News (How Much Should I Water?) on the City’s
web site home page. Calculate the run-time of each zone to supply the
needed water based upon the actual precipitation rate of the sprinkler zones,
the water-holding properties of the soil, the changing weather conditions
and the plant‘s water requirements.
- Winterize sprinkler
systems in our region by removing all the water from the irrigation system
in order to prevent cracked pipes, broken heads and other problems.
- If you hire
a maintenance contractor, ensure that he/she is experienced and reputable.
- If you have
a very large property, consider having a certified landscape-irrigation audit
done which would provide a thorough and comprehensive check of the efficiency
of water application.
- Identify your
priorities during water-limited situations such as various stages of drought.
The
irrigation system is a management tool and cannot replace sound judgement.
Source: Green Industries
of Colorado's Best Management Practices for the Conservation and Protection
of Water Resources in Colorado