COMMON IRRIGATION PROBLEMS What do they look like? Why are they a problem? How do you fix them?

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

BROKEN EQUIPMENT Places where breaks most commonly occur: Sprinkler Heads

Control Valves

Lateral or Main Lines

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

BROKEN EQUIPMENT Why is this a problem? ▪ Broken equipment allows water to leak out of the system. ▪ Leaking water is not being efficiently applied to the landscape and results in runoff. ▪ Runoff won’t keep your landscape healthy, though you still pay for it on your water bill. ▪ Runoff costs both you and your landscape.

How do you fix broken equipment ?
Most broken heads can be easily repaired.





Dig up the existing head and replace it with a new one. Repairing broken valves, lateral, and main lines require more finesse. Only attempt line repairs if you feel very comfortable with irrigation systems. If you don’t feel comfortable, contact a certified contractor in your areas to come out and assist you.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

Misaligned Equipment Tilted Heads

Sunken Heads Why is this a problem?
Sunken sprinkler heads settle due to natural compaction of soil.
This results in stems that cannot popup above the grass and frequently causes uneven distribution of water, misting, brown spots, and runoff.

Why is this a problem?
Over time, sprinkler heads settle and tilt due to natural compaction of soil, foot traffic, and lawn maintenance.
This frequently causes uneven distribution of water resulting in brown spots and runoff.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

Misaligned Equipment How do you repair tilted and sunken equipment ? Tilted and Sunken Heads can easily be repaired with a little effort.

1) The sod and soil surrounding the head will need to be removed with a shovel. Try to remove sod in two pieces so that reestablishment will occur quickly. Be sure to dig carefully so as not to hit the lateral line. 2) A swing joint should attach the sprinkler head to the lateral line. A swing joint is a flexible piece of pipe that allows the sprinkler head to be moved slightly without damaging the lateral line. 3) Lift and straighten the head by packing soil under and around until it is level with and perpendicular to the ground. 4) Replace your sod pieces back in place around the head and water them to encourage reestablishment.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

MIXED ZONES Mixed areas exist when both rotor and fixed spray heads operate together on a given zone.

DRIP

SPRAY

ROTOR

Why is this a problem?

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Fixed spray heads are designed to emit an average of 50% more water than rotor heads. That means that rotor heads should be run for twice the amount of time as fixed spray heads to efficiently irrigate the landscape. The optimum operating pressure levels for spray heads versus rotor heads are dramatically different. Running a sprinkler under excessive pressure will inevitably wear out the head and create problems in the future. If the time and pressure are correct for one type of head in a mixed zone, it will be wrong for the other head type. Mixed zones will create overly wet areas or excessively dry areas.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

MIXED ZONES How do you change a mixed zone?
Ideally, you want to have only one head type on a given zone. So that means either,

rotors, sprays, or drip emitters, not a combination of these.
Generally, switching the type of head will necessitate either adding additional heads or removing existing heads.
For example, if removing a rotor head from a mixed zone to make it exclusively spray heads, more than one spray head may need to be added to provide proper coverage to the zone.
When replacing irrigation heads within a zone ensure that all heads are the same type (i.e. same brand, same type and same model).
A certified irrigation professional should be consulted and/or utilized when addressing these types of problems.

Insert photo with good rotor zone and good drip zone

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

BLOCKED HEADS Why is this a problem? ▪ When the spray pattern from a sprinkler head is being blocked, water is not going where it should. ▪ Blockage can be caused by overgrowth of vegetation where tall grass or low-lying branches are blocking the spray pattern.
Blockage can also be a result of the inappropriate placement of a sprinkler head. For example, if a sprinkler heads is placed behind something (i.e. light-poles, mailboxes, fences, etc.).

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

BLOCKED HEADS How do I fix it? You can: ▪ Trim back overgrown vegetation.
Move the head with blocked spray pattern to a better location.
If the area is not suited for watering by a sprinkler head, consider replacing the turf with water-conserving plants.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

NO CHECK VALVES Why is this a problem?

▪ After a system is turned off, water may drain out of sprinkler heads that are at lower elevations. ▪ Check valves lock water in the lateral line and result in quicker start up times and no run off after the system turns off.

Rainbird 1800 Pressure Regulated Stem w/ a Check Valve (SAM)

How do I fix it? ▪ Install heads with check valves to eliminate water loss from the system, and prevent excess wear on the system pipes. ▪ Several types and brands of heads come with pre-installed check valves. If a check valve is necessary, simply replace the whole head.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

INAPPROPRIATE NOZZLE / SPRAY PATTERN Why is this a problem? ▪ Inappropriate spray patterns originate in one

of two ways, either the throw distance (radius) of the nozzle is too far, or the arc (spray angle) of the nozzle is not appropriate for the area to be irrigated. ▪ If the arc on a head is too wide, it leads to overspray onto undesired areas. If the arc is too narrow, it leads to dry spots and poor coverage. ▪ For example if you have a head with a 180 degree spray pattern in an area that only requires 160 degree spray pattern, this will result in overspray and an excessive amount of water loss. ▪ Fences, concrete, asphalt, rocks, and buildings don’t need water!

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

INAPPROPRIATE NOZZLE How do I fix it? ▪ Replace the nozzle with one that has the correct throw radius and arc. ▪ Variable arc nozzles (VAN) can be helpful in situations where a custom arc is needed. They should only be used when a custom angle is needed. ▪ The screw on top of the sprinkler head is designed to reduce the radius of the nozzle a maximum of 20%. When reducing the radius more than 20%, it results in misting and irregular spray patterns. ▪ If the radius needs to be reduced more the 20%, it is better to replace the current nozzle with one that has a smaller radius. ▪ To adjust the arc for rotor heads it is necessary to use a specific tool (key) that is designed for the sprinkler head.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

CLOGGED NOZZLE Why is this a problem?

▪ A clogged nozzle is caused be debris in the system getting stuck in the nozzle or the filter of a spray head. ▪Clogs may be caused by dirt, sand, roots, plastic, etc. ▪ Clogged heads can cause uneven distribution of water resulting in brown spots.

How do I fix it? ▪ With the system turned off, screw the nozzle off of the spray head. Be sure to hold onto the stem of the head or clamp it to prevent it from dropping back into the body of the head. ▪ Take the filter out of the stem and wash out any debris in the filter or the nozzle. ▪ Put the clean filter back into the stem and screw the nozzle back on. ▪ Adjust the spray pattern to ensure that water is spraying onto the turf.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

IMPROPER PRESSURE High Pressure Causes Misting! Why is this a problem? ▪ High pressure causes smaller droplets to be sprayed out of the sprinkler head. This results in water being blown down the street or evaporating into the air. ▪ As a result, the zone has to be watered for a longer period of time. ▪ Consistently high pressure can cause sprinkler heads to wear out more quickly.

Low Pressure Causes Poor Coverage! Why is this a problem? ▪ Low pressure does not allow the heads to pop up fully resulting in poor coverage. ▪ As a result, the zone has to be watered for a longer period of time.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

IMPROPER PRESSURE How do I regulate high pressure?

How do I increase low pressure?

▪ If pressure is high in the entire system: - Install a pressure reducer on the pipe, before the valves, feeding the whole system. ▪ If pressure is high in one or more zones: - If the zone has many heads, install a pressure reducing valve to the entire zone. - If the zone has only a few heads, install heads with pressure regulated stems.

▪ If pressure is low on the entire system: - Check with your local water district about main line pressure issues. ▪ If pressure is low in one area of a given zone: - Check for leaking heads or potential underground leaking lines. - If the zone has many heads, consider redesigning the system to efficiently water the area with fewer heads.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

OVERSPRAY Why is overspray a problem? ▪ Overspray is caused when sprinkler heads are improperly adjusted, and are set to spray on surfaces not requiring irrigation. ▪ These areas could be sidewalks, driveways, mulch or rock beds, or even fences. ▪ Overspray results in runoff and thus excessive water waste. ▪ You pay for this water though it is not being efficiently utilized.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

OVERSPRAY How do I decrease the occurrence of overspray in my landscape? ▪ Ensure that all nozzle and heads are

spraying the correct distance, angle, and direction while maintaining head to head coverage. ▪ Place all heads equidistant from each other so that head to head coverage is accomplished without overspray occurring on one side. ▪ Ensure that heads are placed a few inches away from the edge of hardscapes. ▪ Maintain appropriate system pressure so that mist is not blown onto hardscapes and other areas not requiring irrigation.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

POOR SPACING Why is this a problem? ▪ For adequate coverage, heads should be spaced so that the water from one head sprays to the next head and visa versa. ▪ This is referred to as head to head coverage. ▪ Heads that are spaced too far apart cannot get proper head to head coverage and create dry spots of brown grass.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

POOR SPACING Rotor Zone with Triangular Spacing

How do I create good spacing? ▪ The nozzles may need to be changed,

additional heads may need to be added, or the spacing of heads may need to altered. ▪ One must also be sure not to cause overspray in one direction simply to reach a greater distance in another direction. ▪ The goal of head to head spacing is to create “double coverage,” increasing the efficiency of the system and ensuring a more consistently green turf. ▪ A certified irrigation professional should be consulted and/or utilized when adding additional heads or changing the placement of existing heads.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

THATCH & AERATION Why is this a problem?

▪ Thatch is a spongy mat of root growth found directly under the grass, but above the soil. ▪ This layer can be caused by excessive surface watering and can make it difficult for water to penetrate to the soil, leading to excessive run-off.
Thatch should occasionally be removed to allow for healthy turf growth.

How do you rid your yard of thatch ? Aerate!


Aeration should be done twice a year, once in early spring and once in late fall, when the turf grass is dormant.
Over time, this will decrease the layer of thatch under the turf.

Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

INEFFICIENT WATERING SCHEDULE What defines an inefficient watering schedule and why? ▪ Watering every day or more than 2 to 3 days per week is considered inefficient watering.  Watering every day for a short period of time will deliver water shallowly to the landscape.

Applying water for only 1 cycle in a given watering day does not deliver water efficiently. ▪

 Turf grass can only absorb the first 5-7 minutes worth of water, after that the rest typically results in runoff.  One cycle does not allow the water to penetrate and deeply saturate the soil.
Both of these circumstances result in grass that in neither

drought tolerant or disease resistant. Watering for too long or not long enough based on the precipitation rate (in./hour) of the heads on your system.


This will create either areas of excessive moisture or dryness.



Slow the Flow Common Irrigation Issues:

WATERING SCHEDULE How can you create an efficient watering schedule for landscape? 1. Schedule a FREE Slow the Flow Colorado Irrigation Inspection so we can give you a customized watering schedule specific to the needs of your landscape! 2. Determine the precipitation rate of the heads on your system by performing a catch cup test or let us do it for you as part of the irrigation inspection. o

This will dictate how long you must run your system each cycle to provide an inch and a half of water per week.

3. As part of your inspection or on your own; evaluate your soil type to see if you have clay, sand, or loamy soil. o

This will influence how many cycles you will utilize each watering day. •

Clay soil absorbs water slowly where as sandy or loamy soil absorb water quickly

4. Water your landscape twice a week under normal conditions and three times if it is extremely hot or dry. 5. Utilize more than one cycle of watering on a water day to ensure deep penetration of water and soil saturation. This will help keep watering times short and decrease runoff.

FINAL NOTES  Always try to use the services of a certified irrigation professional to ensure quality work with a focus on efficiency and water conservation!  Finding a certified contractor in your area is easy!
Visit: The CRC Contractor Selection Skinny Sheet @ www.conservationcenter.org/assets/docs/skinny_sheets/CRC%20SKINNY%20Irrigation%20Contractors.pdf

The Irrigation Association @ www.irrigation.org The Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado @ www.alcc.com Partners For a Clean Environment @ www.pacepartners.org Green Industries of Colorado @ www.greenco.org EPA’s Water Sense Program @ www.epa.gov/watersense

Photo Credits










Geyser Photo - www.ehow.com/how_2384134_fix-broken-sprinkler-pipe.html Rainbird Nozzles and Filter - www.irrigationtutorials.com Thatch Diagram - www.scottslawnmaintenance.com Aeration Diagram - www.cleancut-landscapes.com Good Spacing Photo - www.leonard-landscaping.com No Overspray Photo - www.thelawnpeople.com Rotor Zone Photo - www.regencyonlinestore.com