Existing yards need to be watered at least two times a week for approximately 20 minutes each station (1/4-1/2 inch of water accumulation.
Newly laid sod should be watered twice daily during spring and summer months. After this period, reduce to watering once daily for 1-2 weeks. Following this, return to a normal watering pattern of 2-3 times weekly. Side yards and shaded areas require less water than the front or rear areas.
Water deep. Shallow watering only wets the soil and water doesn’t have time to soak in. This forces the roots to grow to the surface for water and then allows the sun to steal the water through evaporation.
Adjust your sprinkling schedule to change with the seasons.
Install a rain gauge. This allows your system to automatically shut off during rain, saving you money.
Do not water on windy days
Water in the early a.m. to avoid evaporation.
Mulch trees and plants to maintain moisture.
Have your sprinkler checked in the spring and the winter.
Choosing a Professional
Installing an automatic irrigation system is a complex task. That’s why it is
best to hire a qualified professional. Irrigation contractors are experts in
hydraulics, proper sprinkler system layout, plant water requirements and soil
types. Their skills will help ensure a water-efficient system and years of
trouble-free operation.
But how do you make sure that the person you hire is qualified to do the job?
Here are some handy guidelines to follow when choosing a contractor:
- Check for a valid license/certification (if required in your state)
- Ask for proof of liability insurance
- Talk to local references
- Make certain each contractor inspects your property prior to submitting
a bid
- Insist that the installation be completed in a timely manner
- Beware of low bidders that take costly shortcuts
- Be sure the contractor will obtain any required permits
- Be certain the contractor will install the backflow preventer required
by local codes (to protect your drinking supply)
Irrigation professionals are continuously looking for ways to more efficiently and effectively diagnose programs in the field. Now, instead of having to physically check each field wiring circuit for potential problems, the user can run the Hunter Quick Check procedure. This circuit diagnostic test is very beneficial because of its ability to aid in quickly identifying “shorts” commonly caused by faulty solenoids or when a bare common wire touches a bare station control wire.
The Quick Way to Check:
- To initiate the Hunter Quick Check, press the , , , the and buttons simultaneously.
- In the standby mode, the LCD will display all segments (helpful when troubleshooting display problems).
- Press the button to begin the Quick Check test procedure.
- Within seconds, the system searches all stations in an effort to detect a high current path through the station terminals.
- When a field wiring short is detected, an ERR symbol preceded by the station number will momentarily flash on the controller LCD display. After the Quick Check completes running this circuit diagnostic procedure, the controller returns to the automatic watering mode.