Sprinkler System Maintenance Instructions

Environmentally sensitive people and activists dealing with the burning issue of environmental degradation and pollution are always very concerned about natural resources like water. It is also being said that the future wars will be fought for water and not for oil or weapons or the likes. So one wonders what are the various ways in which we can contribute our bit towards saving this essential and almost inevitable natural resource. So one answer that prominently pops up in the mind is having sprinklers in gardens - be it a private garden or a public garden. It is a system, where there is no gushing of water from a pipe, which leads to wastage. Instead, it has a mechanism, which ensures that droplets of water are continuously sprinkled on the plants. This means that there is no wastage and the bare minimum needed for the plants reaches the plants. So this makes these sprinklers an important aspect of lawn care.

However, just as these sprinkler systems are environment friendly and it is advocated by almost everyone you come across, they need some extra care. There the sprinkler system maintenance comes into the picture. Maintenance and sprinkler system troubleshooting are absolutely essential for avoiding misuse of water. So here are a few tricks and pointers for sprinkler system maintenance.

Instructions for Sprinkler System Maintenance

• Observation and inspection of the sprinklers is the first thing you need to do when you start off. Take a look at the broken or worn out parts like the sprinkler head and so on and unscrew them from the sprinkler.
• Get matching parts and replace the previous ones.
• Then, for checking how the sprinkler head is working, run the system and then measure the amount of water sprinkled by the sprinkler.
• Measure the amount of water by collecting it in a tin can or using a rain gauge. If the pressure and the flow of the sprinkler head is low, then you would need to detach the head, clean it and inspect for cracks.
• Deal with individual sprinkler heads and adjust the spray patterns using a screwdriver. This adjustment will prevent spraying of sidewalks, roads and driveways, and there would be no dry lawn areas.
• Quarter circle, half circle, three quarter circle and a complete circle are the usual spray patterns. Another thing which can cause the spray pattern to change is stepping on or moving the sprinkler heads.
• Before the cold weather, drain off the entire system. For doing that either follow the sprinkler system installation manual or take the help of a professional, who would be aptly skilled and would know how to repair a sprinkler system.
• While installing the system in spring, be careful and follow every precaution related to sprinkler system maintenance.
• If it has happened that you are losing on the sprinkler power, see if the controller or the times is working properly. In case there is a loss of power, it could mean that you need to reset the controller.
• Adjust water levels depending on the seasons. In spring and fall, generally the plants need less water.
• Do a leaking or 'weeping' sprinkler check after a single cycle.
• If you find a leaking sprinkler, it indicates a damaged or worn out valve somewhere in the valve box and has to be changed.

After you are done with this, just go through the checklist for sprinkler system maintenance once again. That includes as follows:

• Is the water being splashed and sprayed all over except the plants?
• Are there any obstacles between the water and the desired areas?
• Are there any leaks?
• Are there any damaged sprinkler heads?
• Is the pressure of water too high or low?

So once you are done with answering all these questions in negative, consider your work done! That was just about what all there was, to mention about sprinkler system maintenance.

Finally, lets conserve water by having sprinkler systems and maintaining them, even if it is on a small scale. Because who knows by doing it you are setting an example. After all, charity begins at home!