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Irrigation 101
Irrigation systems are a rather complicated combination of pipes, valves, control wires, controllers, fittings, and sprinkler heads. The elements that set one contractor apart from another are their level of expertise in areas such as hydraulics and electrical properties, irrigation system design, product selection, installation technique, employee training, and quality control.
The system design process begins with the water supply available in gallons per minute and static pressure. The flow in gallons per minute can be estimated utilizing the advertised flow of the city meter or supply pump, which can be applied to published charts on recommended velocity and friction line loss. The pressure can be taken at any point in the supply system, providing the water is not flowing to any point of use. This is static pressure.
The initial system layout begins with a drawing or blueprint of the property to be irrigated. Head placement is conducted beginning with product selection and head spacing based upon product specifications. Then the all-important pipe sizing begins, utilizing the available water supply broken down in gallons per minute and static water pressure. Dynamic water pressure can only be measured when the system is actually flowing. Pipe sizing takes into account the length of the pipe run, the friction loss, the velocity the water flows through the pipe, the water supply, and the pressure available. These calculations determine the size of the pipe required to provide sufficient water flow and pressure.
At this point, you would be surprised to know that there is a high percentage of irrigation contractors who have no concept of the information Irrigation Pro Inc. has given to you. Most of the irrigation contractors wing it, and believe me, it shows, especially when summer is here. You shouldn't spend your hard-earned money with such contractors that are not Certified Irrigation Contractors (CIC).
Choosing a Contractor
Invest Wisely
A Very Important Decision
A professionally installed sprinkler system is the smart way to beautify your landscape and one that will make your life easier. To make the most of your investment, you will want to make sure it is designed and installed properly, with the diverse needs of your landscape in mind.
Choosing the right contractor is an important decision. The contractor will design and install your automatic sprinkler system and will ensure the right components are used for each part of your landscape.
What to Look Out for
- Omitting a backflow preventer when required by local regulations to protect your drinking water supply.
- Spacing sprinklers too far apart. This makes it impossible for certain areas to receive enough water, which can cause brown spots in your lawn.
- Mixing sprinklers with different application rates on the same line. This causes one area to be overwatered in order to sufficiently water another.
- Not using special watertight connectors and protective valve boxes to safeguard the electrical elements.
Confidence Counts
Above all, you should choose a contractor you feel you can trust, a contractor who installs professional series products, such as Rain Bird components, the world's leading manufacturer of irrigation equipment. For more than seven decades, professional irrigation contractors have used Rain Bird products to provide the industries most water efficient, durable and diverse irrigation components, so homeowners like you can have a beautiful lawn and the time to enjoy it.