How to Properly Operate and Maintain Your Automatic Irrigation System

Watering your landscape can be a time-consuming and tedious task, especially if you have a large yard. However, installing an automatic irrigation system can make your life easier and provide you with several advantages. Not only does it save you time and effort, but it also saves water and money in the long run.
 

However, simply installing an automatic irrigation system is not enough. Proper design and operation of the system are necessary to fully realize its benefits. For example, it's essential to properly set the controller to activate specific zones at specific times. This not only helps you save water and money by avoiding overwatering, but it also ensures that your plants receive the appropriate amount of water they need to thrive.

Setting the timer properly is essential to ensure that your automatic irrigation system is operating efficiently and effectively. However, to do so, it's crucial to understand the water needs of the plants in your landscape.
 

Different plants have different water needs, and it's important to adjust the timer on the control panel accordingly. For example, seasonal plants tend to need less water than more permanent annual plantings. Similarly, flowers need less water than trees and shrubs. Additionally, all plants require less water during cooler spring and fall months than they do in the heat of the summer.

By making sure to adjust the timer on the control panel to account for these changes, you can help ensure that your plants receive the appropriate amount of water they need to thrive. This not only helps you save water and money, but it also promotes a healthy and vibrant landscape for years to come.

Another crucial consideration for the proper operation of your Irrigation system is to match water distribution with sun exposure. In general, the sunnier the conditions, the more water the plants in your landscape will need.

To achieve optimal results, it's important to take into account the amount of sunlight that your landscape receives and adjust the water distribution accordingly. For example, plants in areas with full sun exposure typically require more water than those in shaded areas.
 

Additionally, the slope of your landscape can also impact the water distribution needs. A sloping landscape will require much more water than a level one, as water tends to run off more easily on a slope.

By taking into account these factors and adjusting the water distribution accordingly, you can help ensure that your plants receive the appropriate amount of water they need to thrive. This not only promotes a healthy and vibrant landscape, but it also helps you save water and money in the long run.

The Importance of Good Soil

It's important to consider the type of soil you have. The type of soil can have a big impact on how well your sprinkler system works and how much water is needed to keep your lawn or garden healthy. 

Irrigation: Checking the Water Pressure Regularly

Checking the water pressure and looking for water puddles are just a couple of the many tasks that should be performed on a regular basis. In addition to these, there are several other things that you can do to keep your system in good working order.

• First: An  important task that should be performed first and regularly is checking the sprinkler heads themselves. Over time, the heads can become clogged with dirt, debris, or other materials, which can impede water flow or cause the heads to malfunction. It's important to clean the heads periodically to ensure that they are able to deliver water effectively to your lawn or garden.

  
  

• Second: Checking the water delivery pipes for cracks, leaks, or other damage. Even small cracks or leaks can result in wasted water and reduced system efficiency, so it's important to identify and repair them as soon as possible.

  
  
• Third: It's also important to ensure that the system is properly programmed and that the sprinkler heads are adjusted correctly. This includes setting the correct watering schedule based on weather conditions and the needs of your lawn or garden, as well as adjusting the heads to ensure that they are delivering water evenly across the entire area.

Maintaining an automatic sprinkler system requires ongoing effort and attention to detail. By performing regular maintenance, identifying and correcting small problems early on, and ensuring that the system is functioning properly, you can help to extend the lifespan of the system, reduce water waste, and keep your lawn or garden looking healthy and vibrant all season long.

 As with any other mechanical device, automatic sprinkler systems will breakdown over time with use. Water delivery pipes can crack and leak, sprinkler heads can malfunction or become clogged. The only way to keep the system working properly is to perform regular maintenance. Ongoing maintenance will ensure that small problems are discovered early and repaired in order to prevent bigger problems from developing later.

 Don't wait until it's too late. Call Top Notch today to schedule a maintenance visit and ensure that your systems are running smoothly and efficiently for years to come.