As summer season peaks and the temperatures rise in Trenton, IL, it’s a good time to ensure your sprinkler system is functioning optimally. Conducting a summer maintenance inspection can help you identify any necessary repairs early on, saving you money on water bills and promoting a healthy lawn.
Here is a checklist for your inspection:
Controllers:
- Confirm that the controller is set up for summer watering schedules and complies with local watering restrictions.
- Pre-program the seasonal adjust feature to allow for automatic adjustments or manually change the run time percentage for summer.
Sensors:
- Inspect the rain/freeze sensor for proper placement and any damage.
- Clean out any dead insects and debris and replace the discs if they are moldy or misshapen.
- Verify that the sensor is functioning correctly and replace batteries for wireless versions if needed.
Backflow Prevention Assembly (BPA):
- Examine above-ground BPAs for broken ball valves, cracks, leaks, or a warped body.
- For below-ground BPAs, check for visible damage.
- Investigate any water inside the box and determine the cause (e.g., leaking or rain).
Valve Boxes and Valves:
- Check valve boxes and lids for damage and repair or replace them.
- Ensure that the boxes are free of overgrown grass and debris for easy access.
- Inspect valve assemblies for cracks and broken or loose wires.
- Address water inside the box and investigate potential causes.
Sprinklers:
- Inspect sprinkler heads in each zone and remove any obstructions like overgrown grass, dirt, rocks, or mulch that may clog the nozzles.
- Look for broken or cracked sprinklers and replace them with the same model and brand in each zone.
- Straighten leaning sprinklers and adjust those that are too high or too low.
- Trim bushes or shrubs that may obstruct a sprinkler’s water flow.
Manually Run Zones:
- Manually run each zone and check for issues like pop-up sprinklers not extending completely or retracting fully.
- Address any leaks, including those near the top or below the sprinkler.
- Investigate issues with sprinkler rotation, spray pattern, and water flow.
- Ensure head-to-head coverage among sprinklers.
- Address broken or leaking pipes and zones that won’t shut down.
Drip Irrigation:
- Run the drip system for 20-30 minutes to observe emitter wetting patterns.
- Check water pressure, leaks, line breaks, and kinks in tubing.
- Inspect for clogged, broken, or missing emitters and clean or replace as needed.
- Monitor wet soil patterns around plants and adjust emitters for proper coverage.
- Flush lines, inspect and clean filters, and add emitters or micro-sprays for new plants as necessary.
By following this checklist in Trenton, IL, you can ensure your sprinkler system operates efficiently during the summer months. For professional sprinkler system maintenance and installation, contact the experts at Diversified Services, we will take care of all your landscaping and irrigation needs.