Are My Pumps, Valves and Pipes Okay?
If you’re a complete newbie to the world of irrigation, and making sure that your grass is properly watered, you might not know how your sprinklers actually work. Under the surface of your sprinkler heads are pumps, valves and pipes that bring water from your source out to the dirt under your lawn.
Much like any other type of mechanical system, your irrigation system needs regular maintenance to ensure that it’s working as intended and keeping your lawn healthy and green. This means checking your pumps, valves and pipes for any irregularities like cracks, rust, poor water flow or really anything else that’s gonna stop your sprinklers from doing the job they were meant to do.
Below are some of the most common things to check for in your pumps, valves and pipes:
Pumps
Pumps are the foundation of any irrigation system, getting water from your source to the rest of your property. The most common issue with your pump is going to be electrical, usually having something to do with its foundation.
For example, a pump that turns off at random intervals during the watering process might be because of your property’s wiring, while a pump that won’t turn on at all can be caused by low voltage or an issue with your circuit breaker.
Of course, not every problem is solely electrical– parts within the pump, like the motor, can be broken or faulty and if your motor is seemingly working, but water isn’t flowing to your pipes, there can be a leak in your suction.
Valves
Valves are what allow you to control how much water is getting to your lawn. They’re vital to making sure you don’t under or overwater your property. The main issue is almost always going to be that your valves either aren’t opening completely, or that they aren’t closing completely.
More often than not, the problem is caused by blockage, namely something like a small rock, which will either keep your grass overwatered or underwatered. While this issue can be easily fixed, it’s imperative to keep an eye on your valve for proper water flow.
Pipes
More often than not, your issue is going to be in your sprinkler pipes. Issues in your pipes can either decrease or totally stop water flow, which can create brown patches on your lawn.
Cracks can happen naturally during temperature shifts and need to be addressed immediately when they happen. Rust can also build up within your pipes (and often cause cracks) if your system is connected to a water source with a high iron content.
When the whole point of a sprinkler system is to get water spread on the property, it should be a no-brainer that having a cracked pipe, which can leak several gallons of water per day, is an issue that would require immediate attention.
For any of these issues, if you can’t fix them yourself, be sure to seek assistance from a professional irrigation system maintenance company as soon as possible.
Above all else, it’s important to make sure your irrigation system is properly installed by professionals to limit unnecessary maintenance as much as possible. While care and repair is impossible to avoid entirely, getting your sprinklers done by experienced professionals will limit the amount of work they’ll need in the future.
