3 Tips To Troubleshoot Your Irrigation System

4/15/2018 (Permalink)

An irrigation system can be a convenient way to keep a happy, healthy lawn or garden, but sometimes even the best sprinkler system needs a little maintenance. Irrigation problems can be more than just a headache. Left unchecked, they can cause serious flooding damage. With warmer weather heading to Terre Haute, IN, now may be a great time to ensure your sprinklers are working optimally.

1. Clear the Terrain

Start with the simplest solution: Check to make sure there are no rocks or debris causing irrigation problems. Tree roots, rocks and other debris can get stuck in your irrigation line or solenoids.

2. Check the Pressure

If you notice your sprinklers are barely shooting any water, low-pressure could be the culprit. This is commonly due to a loose valve or loose solenoid. In many cases, you can remedy this by making sure the valves near your backflow device are fully open. If not the valves, you may have a leak or a crushed pipe.

3. Get in the Zone

An irrigation system is usually divided into zones. The zones should have an electrical valve that controls the sprinkler heads. If a zone is malfunctioning, the issue could be as simple as making sure the valves are open. It’s common for valves to accidentally close due to human error or pressure from roots wrapping around pipes.

Sometimes a zone problem is electrical. In that case, check your timer or controller. To do this, you should use a volt meter to test out the wiring. If you’re not getting a reading of 24 volts, then the problem is likely your timer. To solve a timer malfunction, fix your wiring. If the zone is getting power, the issue could be a faulty solenoid. Solenoids are susceptible to both corrosion and debris, which can keep the valves open. Clearing debris can fix the problem. However, when corrosion is the culprit, it’s often best to replace the solenoid entirely.

It’s normal to need more help. If you’re still not able to identify the issue with your irrigation system, or you experience flooding, you can always work with a water cleanup specialist.

For more information, please visit us athttp://www.SERVPROvigocounty.com/.