RJ

McGrath, Inc.

Newton, MA (617) 332-3339

Lawn Sprinkler Systems Since 1957

So many times I have heard people blaming the sprinkler system for over watering or wasting water. Sprinkler systems can’t think, they don’t make decisions. Poor Design, improper scheduling and using the wrong product in the wrong situation is what turns a helpful landscape tool into a soggy mess. Listed below are a few helpful tips to avoid that soggy mess.

Possible Causes

My Sprinkler system uses too much water

Scheduling

The number one reason why peoples water bill get so high is due to improper scheduling. Rule of thumb: 40 Minutes per day for Rotary Sprinklers and 7 Minutes a day for Spray Sprinklers. Then adjust for full sun, full shade or different soil conditions. Sandy Soil needs a longer run time than clay or loam. In full sun the evaporation rate is higher than in full shade.

Programing the controller correctly is very important. You may think that the system is only running once a day but in fact it may be running more than that. Look for a hidden start time on another program. A lot of controllers have multiple programs with multiple start times for each program. So many times we show up to evaluate a system and find that the systems controller is not programmed correctly. Check out the owners manual page for more info on changing the controllers times.

Stuck Zone Valve

A valve that will not shut off may be the cause of excessive water use. When a zone valve is stuck on the water in a particular section of the yard in constantly running. It is most of the time easy to identify this problem. Some sprinkler systems have what is called a master valve on their system. This controls all of the zone valves making it sometimes difficult to realize that a zone valve is stuck on. This happens usually if a pipe was broken and dirt got into the valve. Maybe after some recent planting. A weekly or monthly walk through of the sprinkler system is advised to find out about problems like this.

If you have a stuck valve it is time to contact us to find the valve and clean it.

Un-detected Leak

Leaks happen usually in older systems or if some recent landscape work was done. Most systems in the first 10 years of their life never have a leak. But if a leak does occur and water is constantly running due to a leak in the main line of the sprinkler system this could be the cause of excessive water use. Leaks are actually very easy to find. Some of the signs of a leak when the system is running is water bubbling up from under the ground or a big puddle in the lawn. Tell tale sign of a leak when the system is not running is a hole in the ground, mulch washed out of the bed into the lawn or a sunken part of the lawn , walkway, patio, etc.

Sometimes leaks are not easy to find. It is very rare that a leak could go un detected but it has happened. Main line leaks will use the most water due to the fact that they usually leak 24 hours a day until they are fixed or the water is shut off. Zone line leaks are not as bad but more likely to go undetected because they on leak when the system is running.

To find out if you have a main line leak follow these steps:

1. Turn off ALL the water in the house. (Clothes Washer, Shower, Dishwasher, Sink, Do Not Flush Toilets)

2. Go to the water meter and listen for running water. Generally this is apparent. To find out what the sound is like, before the test turn on the kitchen sink and listen to the water meter.

3. Look at the water meter. It has a red hand like on the face of a watch. If it is spinning, And There Is No Water Running In The House, you may have a leak in the main line of the sprinkler system.

If you have a main line leak shut off the water to the sprinkler system and contact us to repair it. See how to shut off the system for further instructions.

To find out if you have a zone line leak follow these steps:

1. Turn on each zone at the controller.

2. Walk out into the yard and view the performance of each zone.

3. If the sprinkler heads are not throwing water they way they used to look for a leak in the ground around that area.

If you have a zone line leak program that zone not to turn on at the controller and contact us to repair it. See manuals page for further info.

New System

Often times just after a new sprinkler system is installed water bills rise. This is because even though homeowners were watering their lawn by hand or moving that yellow sprinkler around they were not using enough water to get the job done. See calculating how much water is used. Dragging the hose around is actually wasting water due to the fact the water being applied is not getting the job done (green lawn), so almost why bother. The efficiency level of an automatic sprinkler system far exceeds that of a hand held hose. Given the same amount of water a sprinkler system will water a larger portion of the property evenly than will a hand held hose or manual sprinkler. Given an unlimited water supply, a sprinkler system will use less water to get the job done than a hand held hose or little yellow sprinkler.

No Rain Sensor

Enough said. If you do not have a rain sensor on your system then you are wasting a ton of water and money. We install one on every new system and are a strong advocate for proper water use and conservation. Contact us to have a rain sensor install on your sprinkler system,

Out Of Date System

Sprinkler systems should be tweeked and evaluated every 4 – 5 years. When the original sprinkler system is installed it is designed to what the landscape looks like then. Unless the landscape stayed exactly the same way year after year it will need adjustments. Not a lot though. Maybe that shrub has over grown a little and the sprinkler head is under the plant and hitting the branches. A little work and the head can be moved a foot or two. Basically … when the landscape changes, the sprinkler system should too.

A lot of water can be wasted by being thrown on the new patio, spraying under the plant that are covering the sprinklers etc.

Poor Design

This is probably the biggest area that can waste water. And the most difficult to identify. Throwing water over the public sidewalk, mixing spray heads and rotary heads on the same zone (click here) not zoning sunny & shady areas differently are just a few of the design problems that can increase water usage.

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