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Sprinkler Systems: Commonly Asked Questions Courtesy of Rain Bird The Advantages of Owning an Automatic Sprinkler System
Q. Will an automatic sprinkler system use more water than I'm currently using? A. No. In fact, it will conserve water. You'll never have to worry about runoff from overwatering or wasting water when you forget to turn off the hose. And, with a Rain Bird rain sensor, your system will know when it is raining and simply shut itself off when water is not needed. Q. Does having a sprinkler system really save time? A. Yes. You won't have to spend another minute of your valuable leisure time watering the lawn. Your new system will do all the watering for you - even when you're away from home. Q. Will an automatic sprinkler system water as well as I can water by hand? A. It will do a much better job because a professionally designed system will deliver exactly the right amount of water to individual lawn and garden areas. Q. We generally get 689mm (27.1 inches) of rainfall a year. Do we really need a sprinkler system? A. If it rained at your house every three days - the same exact amount each time - you probably wouldn't need a sprinkler system. But nature doesn't work that way, and the only way to ensure healthy, lush growth is to make certain your lawn and plants receive a regularly timed, evenly measured amount of water. In the dry season when there is little or no rain, your yard can suffer damage after just a few days without water. Q. Are there different systems from which to choose? A. Although every system should be tailored to meet individual needs, a typical system will be comprised of a controller (which functions as the brains of the system), valves (which open and close to release and stop the flow of water to underground pipes) and sprinklers (which actually distribute the water to a given area). It's best if all components of a system are manufactured by the same company in order to ensure that they are designed to work well together. Q. How do I know what type of system is best for me? A. It's always best to work with a professional irrigation contractor who is knowledgeable about such factors as water source and pressure, soil type, planting materials and weather conditions. We will take all of this into consideration in designing a system specific to the needs of your landscape. Q. Can I save money by installing my own system?
We will pay special attention to such important factors as sprinkler patterns (it is important to overlap the patterns so that the outer edges receive sufficient water for healthy growth) and backflow prevention (which is necessary to protect your drinking water supply). And because we are familiar with local plumbing and electrical codes, you won't have to worry about costly mistakes in wiring or pipe installation. We can do the job faster, with less disruption to existing landscape, and will guarantee our work. Q. Will I have difficulty operating this system? A. We will help you select the best controller (the brains of the system) for your needs, and we will set it with your individual watering schedule. We will work with you to explain the system's operation. Then, if necessary, you can easily change the watering schedule by just following the easy instructions on the inside of the controller cabinet. Q. How much will a good system cost?
A. The price of a system will vary depending upon many factors such as property size, type of landscaping and unique designs. We are familiar with Rain Bird's many professional series products and know-how to put the right ones together in a system that will achieve maximum results for you. But you can count on us to design a cost-effective system comprising quality Rain Bird products. We also know that Rain Bird and its nationwide distributor network stand behind all of its products and are serious about commitment to quality construction and after-sale service. Like most people, you probably have many questions you'd like to ask before finalizing your decision to purchase an automatic sprinkler system. Reading this information should provide many answers for you, but please don't hesitate to ask us any additional questions you may have.
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Commonly Asked Questions Courtesy of Hunter |
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| Q: Why would my sprinkler system continue running even after the controller is unplugged? | |
A: There are two reasons why your sprinklers would continue running: It
is possible that your valves have been opened manually. You will
need to locate your valve box(es) and twist the solenoid(s) on the
valves clockwise until snug, the solenoid is in the shape of a cylinder
with two wires. |
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Q: How often should I check my irrigation system’s performance? |
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| A: It’s a good idea to check it frequently during the peak watering season to make sure that everything is functioning correctly and water is being applied as needed to the plant material. Users will often do a quick run through of each zone after they have finished mowing and trimming. A handy tool to have installed in your Hunter system is one of our popular remote controls. These time-saving devices allow you to walk around your property and turn the valves on and off without having to keep going back to the controller. | |
| Q: What should I look for during my system performance check? | |
| A: Turn on each zone and observe the operation to make sure the spray from each sprinkler is going where it’s needed. Make sure all rotary sprinklers are rotating in their intended arc. Look for any wet or dry spots and see if there is an obvious reason why that is occurring. Also, be aware that sometimes the controller may need to be adjusted if temperatures are extremely hot or cold, or if there was recent precipitation. | |
| Q: How much time do I run my sprinklers to water my lawn effectively? | |
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Chances are your professional contractor programmed the controller
when they were finished installing the system. They probably also
gave you a schedule (or schedules) you could enter into the controller
during different seasons of the year. If not, you should contact
an irrigation professional in your area who can give you guidance
as to the number of minutes each zone should water, and on how many
days of the week.
Each climate has different requirements; each plant material will have varying needs, as well. In addition, be sure to account for the fact that different types of sprinklers apply water at varying rates. |
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| Please click on the link for more information on how to determine correct watering times: | www.wateright.org |
| Q: Why do my sprinklers cycle repeatedly in automatic mode? | |
A: A common reason for cycling repeatedly is too many programmed start times in your controller. Only one start time per active program is required. Individual stations are assigned to a program. Each program requires only one start time to initiate a watering sequence of the stations assigned to that program. Start times are assigned to programs, not stations. The controller will operate the stations in numerical order, one at a time. When a station has completed it’s watering, it will switch to the next station in that program automatically. For example: Program A has six stations (1-6) assigned to it and the program has one start time at 8:00 AM. At 8:00 AM, station 1 will water, followed by station 2, then station 3, and so on until all six stations have watered. To remove a “WATERING START TIME,” put the dial in the “SET WATERING START TIMES” position, using the right pointing and left pointing arrows to scroll through the Watering Start Times. When the display showing the Watering Start Time to be eliminated, push either the button with the PLUS or MINUS sign until the word "OFF" appears on the display. ("OFF" is located between 11:45 PM and 12:00 AM). |
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| Q: Why are my sprinklers not watering? | |
A: There are three reasons why your sprinklers may not be watering:
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Many people say convenience is the biggest
advantage to an automatic system since they don't have to spend
their time watering by hand or moving the hose around the yard.
Others say extended plant life and lower water usage are the most
important benefits. Still others believe a sprinkler system is one
of the most of the best financial investments they can make in their
home since appearance is a key factor in determining market value.
And guess what - they're all right!
A. No! In fact,
it could cost you more money in the long run. A professional irrigation
contractor will design and install the most cost-effective and energy-efficient
system possible. You can be certain that we will select the appropriate
equipment for the job, while streamlining the maintenance required
to keep your landscaping in top shape.