A properly-designed and
installed automatic irrigation system will allow lawns and gardens
to flourish. The system should be suited to your specific needs
and should be easy to operate and maintain, but flexible enough to
minimize waste of our limited water resources. These may be good
questions to ask a contractor:
- Do you hold a J3 plumbing license? Does the installer have a J4
plumbing license?
- Will you provide a Certificate of Insurance?
- How long have you been in the irrigation business?
- May I have a list of references?
- Are you a member of the Connecticut Irrigation Contractors
Association?
- Are you a member of the nation-wide Irrigation Association?
- If I have a well or a pond, can I install an irrigation system?
- Will you install a state-approved reduced-pressure backflow
preventer to prevent contamination of drinking water?
- Do you install rain sensors?
- Will you zone spray sprinklers separately from rotor sprinklers
to prevent over-watering?
- Do you provide a warranty on parts and labor for the entire
system? Does this include first year winterizing and following
season start-up?
- Following completion of the job, will you instruct me in the
operation of my system? Will I be able to contact you if I have
further questions?
- Will you bill me AFTER the system has been completed and
satisfactory testing has been performed?
- Will you provide an "as installed" drawing of my sprinkler
system?
Today's Standards For Proper Irrigation
Backflow Prevention
The State of Connecticut requires all municipal water-supplied
irrigation systems to use a reduced-pressure device such as a Febco
825-Y or equivalent.
Controllers
Computer-controlled irrigation systems allow more flexibility in
scheduling and, with proper management, can save water.
Rain Switch
Rain switches save water by interrupting scheduled cycles during rainy
weather and allowing more freedom for the operator who monitors the
controller schedules.
Sprinklers
Sprinklers should be sized to the area to be watered, the water
supply, and the water pressure. Matched precipitation sprinklers allow
even distribution of water.
Valves
Valves with manual override and a flow handle allow for manual
watering and shutdown of valves that need service while the rest of
the system is left in operation.
Valve Boxes
Valve boxes provide a location point for valves and ease of future
service.
Wire
Multi-strand cable allows spare wires for future expansion and
double-jacket protection.
Drip Tubing
Pressure compensating dripperline puts water at the roots of the
plants, not on nearby structures. All drip zones should be regulated
with a pressure reducer.
Piping
All piping under continuous pressure should be PVC 200 PSI. PVC pipe
can withstand higher pressure than poly pipe, and fittings are less
subject to leaks. A main line with 80 PSI static pressure could have
spikes to 170 PSI or greater, due to "water hammer" caused by a
quick-closing valve.
Lateral lines are placed after the automatic valve and can be 100 PSI
poly pipe. These lines are under pressure only while the specific
sprinkler zone is operating, and at a reduced rate of pressure due to
water being released through the sprinkler nozzle. There are two types
of poly pipe: medium density #2306 and high density #3208. Both can
have the same pressure rating. Medium density pipe is better suited
for lawn irrigation because it has more flexibility and is less
susceptible to splitting and kinking.
Pumps
Booster pumps should be considered if the pressure at the farthest
lawn sprinkler is less than 35 PSI operating pressure. A sprinkler
with too little pressure will not provide even distribution of water;
a sprinkler with too much pressure will mist, allowing wind drift and
poor distribution.
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