These days, sprinklers have a design that is a third more efficient compared to sprinklers in the past. It is not unlikely that you could find a sprinkler or irrigation system with controllers programmed by software and then connected to weather sensors or remote soil. Some of them have controls with built-in pressure for the prevention of overwatering. For example, a homeowner may see a patch of brown in the grass and think right away that the lawn needs to be watered. However, there is a specific way to water the grass so as not to destroy the turf. Let’s take a closer look.

Timed System
Sprinkler systems that are timed to water will have a night or early morning schedule. In that way, not many people will see exactly what is taking place. For added efficiency, it is best to let each watering zone run briefly during the allowed daylight hours. This will help you to evaluate the extent at which it is operating.

Assess the Operation
When you assess the operation of your sprinkler system, you will look for various things such as:

• Are there any broken lines?
• Are there any damaged sprinkler heads?
• Have any of the sprinkler heads repositioned?
• Is there clogging in the nozzles?
• Is water reaching the right places where it is needed and not the opposite?

You should also look to see if vegetation is causing the sprinkler spray to be blocked. If you notice any fogging or misting over the sprinkler, then water is being wasted. Make sure that you adjust the controller timers to match the season.

The Runoff
If the water begins moving to the driveway or sidewalk, it means that you are overwatering and the lawn has become saturated. This is called a ‘runoff.’ Also, sprinkler heads may drain after the system shuts down. You want to make sure that they are properly drained. Or to stop drainage, identify the low points of the system and install a check valve. It would be ideal to set up shorter times for the sprinkler to go on and more cycles.

The Solution
To avoid runoffs, you can do one of three things:

• Shorten the watering schedule
• Allow sufficient time for each watering schedule to be completed
• Have your repair company add a retrofit sensor to the existing controller or have it reset to accommodate brief watering times and watering intervals

You should then make an observation on the results and then accommodate any adjustments if possible.

Repair the Damage
You may be losing water from your sprinkler system because of a break in the water lines. You could replace the parts or get the damage fixed. Reduce the pressure of the water that goes to the sprinkler so that it is not damaged.

Replace or Repair
You can either replace a sprinkler system by purchasing the most technologically advanced one or search for ways that you can retrofit the existing system. If you haven’t examined your sprinkler system in years, you may not be aware of the distinct differences in the technology used in the past and the new technology. It is like a disparity between the smart phone device and a rotary dial phone. For this reason, you need an expert to guide you into making the appropriate decision.

If you need to replace your sprinkler system or have it repaired, contact J&R Sprinklers. We offer sprinkler services Denver residents have come to appreciate. We invite you to take action today and ask for a free estimate when you call us at 303-688-5909.