Although July has passed, the month where irrigation providers recognize "Smart Irrigation Month," our growing season and need for efficient watering has not stopped. In fact, August, September and October are critical months for irrigating and maintaining lawn and plant health as we move toward the close of another year.
One of the most undervalued and over-sought efforts to ensure your irrigation system is running at peak efficiency is the seasonal (or monthly) check-up, commonly referred to as an inspection. Mid-season check-ups and/or inspections provide numerous benefits in a single visit. First, controller reprogramming is a key factor in managing water cycles and water usage. Second, head adjustments and nozzle selection ensure maximum coverage and equal water distribution. Lastly, discovering leaks and identifying problematic zone valves helps to minimize water loss and excessive water use.
Irrigation controllers, commonly referred to as timers, are the "brain" of the operating system. I preach about smart controllers, specifically their advantages of automatic watering adjustments based on current weather patterns. Here's the honest truth: a smart controller is only as smart as the person programming it. The same idea goes for standard (conventional) controllers – the settings within the program(s) are only as efficient as the programmer. Controllers are not a "set it and forget it" type of device. Spring, summer and fall each require different program settings. Taking this idea a step further, each month within a growing season should have programming that matches the current climatic conditions and weather patterns. Whether you are paying for water or not, wise, well-sequenced irrigation controller programming is one of the single most critical steps toward efficient use of water. A mid-season or monthly check-up should always include a review and (possible) changes to the program settings.
A physical walk-around and hands-on adjustments of the individual heads is the second step to a thorough inspection. When I mention "hands-on," I literally mean touching and each head and verifying the direction and distance of the spray pattern. As the majority of irrigation systems cycle in the early morning hours, it's easy to miss a non-rotating head or a clogged nozzle.
These small, yet common examples are easily preventable through proactive inspections. Have you had visitors recently who accidentally veered off your driveway or along the street? Do you have a lawn maintenance provider who uses large machines to cut your grass? Again, these are common examples of instances where heads could be damaged or mis-aligned without knowledge of the issue for a long period of time. Whether you choose to invest your time in routine inspections, or bringing in professional irrigation personnel head and nozzle adjustments should be part of any inspection and/or check-ups.
The last key component to an irrigation check-up should be a thorough underground zone valve assessment. Leaks within the underground piping system are typically the leading cause of wasted water. An accidental slice or puncture from new plantings, deep tree root feeding or edging a mulch bed can cause an immense amount of water loss when undetected. Furthermore, if you have drip tubing, be aware of the thirsty squirrels and chipmunks! Due to the heat, these animals will seek out moisture and condensation on exposed tubing and chew through the pipe wall, creating a leak that commonly goes undetected.
As part of the aforementioned hands-on approach, a careful eye to zone valve operation is imperative. Specifically, zone valves that may be stuck open. Whether the valve is partially or fully stuck in the open position, water is continually being used when and where it should not be. As previously mentioned, the majority of irrigation systems operate overnight or during the early morning hours. Unless you watch your system operate at these early times, a stuck valve and subsequent leak will likely go unnoticed for a long time. Detecting (and rectifying) pipe leaks and valve issues during a daytime inspection will help minimize wasted water and lead to peak performance of existing zones.
In closing, smart irrigation is not all about the newest products or the most technologically advanced controllers. The secret to efficient irrigation is periodic check-ups. Whether you as a homeowner invest your time to perform an inspection or you have a trusted, licensed professional, the value of irrigation system inspections is underestimated.
It is important to note that the age of an irrigation system does not make a difference. All irrigation system components are subject to failure from outside factors. Systems have numerous moving parts that affect each other. Many potential problems can be addressed at seasonal check-up visits. Water conservation and efficiency efforts are found in the simple details like periodic controller reprogramming changes, head & nozzle adjustments and leak identification coupled with resolving problematic zone valves.