Normal inspection routine: 

 "The best fertilizer is the footstep of the farmer..."

 

a. Daily: Look around the property for any obvious puddles from the previous operation cycle. This may indicate that there is a malfunction to the controller, broken sprinkler riser, stuck valve or leak in the pipe.

b. Weekly: Operate the irrigation system on a manual test cycle and observe each zone for operation. Look for sprinklers that are broken, have missing nozzles or just don’t appear that they are operating correctly.

c. Prior to mowing: Walk the lawn prior to mowing to look for any sprinkler that is stuck in the “up” position from the previous cycle (press down with a tap from your foot). 

d. Prior to garden edging, aeration or over-seeding with a slit seeder: Operate the irrigation system on a two-minute test cycle and flag every sprinkler and valve box. Look for places where pipes and wires cross garden boundaries. Consult your “as-built” diagram to verify that the system was completely flagged.

 

Operation strategies:

 

a. Seasonal adjustments: The controller should be set for a frequency and zone run times depending on many factors. These factors include temperature, precipitation and soil type. When the system is set up in the spring, the controller should be set for a frequency and time that is compatible with ambient precipitation. Usually every third day is satisfactory during May since there is normally ample rainfall. A rain switch should be used to adjust the controller so that each field receives approximately 1 inch of precipitation per week. 

b. Seasonally, monthly or when forecasts provide for a long-term wet or dry period:  Adjust the “seasonal adjust (%)” control so as to either add or reduce times for the entire irrigation system. In the event that a cooler, very rainy period is forecast, the rain delay function may be activated or the seasonal adjust (%) function may be activated to reduce or increase each program proportionally. This may save large amounts of water. 

c. Immediately after reseeding, liming or fertilizing the turf: Turn on the irrigation system for a manual cycle. This will “water in” the chemicals so that they do not “burn” the foliage.

d. After cleaning, adjusting or replacing a sprinkler: Operate the affected zones manually to make sure that the sprinkler is now functioning properly. 

e. Digging in the lawn or garden: Be careful when digging in the lawn or gardens such as planting new plants, weeding, cultivating planting trees, edging gardens or installing new underground utilities. You may damage the control wires, pipe or sprinklers. In gardens, drip tubing is generally out of sight and becomes damaged. When in doubt consult your “As-Built” diagram or call Aquarius for assistance.