Repairing Broken Sprinkler Heads

You are Inspecting your yard and you have noticed that there are lots of broken sprinkler heads, especially at the edges of the lawn. If you have a lawn mowing service, your initial reaction might be to go after them as the culprit, but a little understanding of how yards develop and weather over time shows that this problem is the result of erosion, improperly installed irrigation, or a combination of both. 

When the landscaping contractor installed your sprinkler system, they set the depth of the heads according to the lay of the land at that particular time. The ground was likely softer and it settled.  The sod was likely more full and lush as it just came from the sod farm. The top of the rotary or pop up sprayhead where the nozzle sprays the water particles was likely covered in part by loose top soil. What happens over time, particularly on slopes, is the topsoil erodes away and it exposes the top of the sprinkler head, leaving it vulnerable for lawnmower blades and riding mower tires. Although your yard service could be a little more careful, it is often difficult to avoid broken sprinkler heads in the situation.   

If loss of topsoil in the lawn does not seem to be the explanation for broken sprinkler heads, another plausible explanation is that the sprinkler system installation was done improperly.  It is important to bury the PVC mains, the flex pipe tubing and the sprinkler heads to a certain depth.  The tops of the heads should typically lay just under the roots of the turf. 

In either circumstance, managing the situation could call for a combination of solutions.  One solution is to bring in a layer of more top soil. In addition, burying the sprinkler heads deeper in the ground could be necessary as well.  The end result should be that the top of the sprinkler head recedes deeper than the turf line down into the ground.  

For this and more tips on groundskeeping, Lawn Care and Sprinkler repair Columbia S.C. Lexington and Irmo, visit us online at http://www.BusyBeeLawnCare.com or give us a buzz at (803)331-5323

Toro Sprinkler System Repair

If you have a Toro irrigation sprinkler system that needs repair in the Greater Columbia South Carolina Area we can help.  Toro is a very common type of sprinkler control panel that we see mostly in residential yard applications.  We usually see The Toro Lawn Master II Timer, the ECxtra, or the TMC 212 in use.  Most problems the user encounter stem from a proper knowledge of setting the control panel for proper water times and frequency.  One of the most common problems is when 2 programs are enabled resulting in overwatering.  It is important to pay attention to what programs are enabled, for example, if program A and Program B are both set to come on.  Other issues with the Toro Timer occur when the current time and date are not properly set.  Setting the timer is one of the items covered with an annual system startup in the spring. 

Give us a Buzz at (803)331-5323 or visit http://www.busybeelawncare.com/sprinkler-repair-columbia.htm if your Toro Sprinkler System needs attention! 

Start Sprinkler System By Bleeding Valves

Starting up your sprinkler system for the spring lawn watering season Should be done carefully and professionally Especially if your irrigation system was winterized and evacuated of all of the water in every zone.

A professional sprinkler repair service would first open the bleeder valve on each of the zones. This would require that you know where the irrigation valves are located.

Next, the Water main or the irrigation backflow control valve should be turned on slowly and carefully. Too much water pressure at one time where there is an abundance of air in the pipes can cause the pipes to rupture or the valves to break.

As the air escapes the sprinkler heads each zone should be turned off at the bleeder valve one at a time. The irrigation water main control valve can then be turned completely to the on position.

Doing a sprinkler system restart in the early spring can ensure that you get a jump on Properly maintaining your lawn. It also helps to identify if you have any problems with your system that May need to be scheduled by a professional sprinkler repair service.

Broken Sprinkler Head Repair

Broken Sprinkler Head Repair

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How to Select the Best Rotator Head Types for Your Sprinkler System

Once you’ve learned the basics of how sprinkler systems work, and have learned the difference between spray heads and rotator heads, you can begin your search for the best rotator head types for your lawn sprinkler system. Since rotator heads cover larger areas of the lawn, you’ll need to compare rotator head types in order to choose those that will work best for your individual situation.

Rotator heads are typically spaced 18-55 ft. apart, and require a lot of water pressure to operate. The rule of thumb regarding the selection of rotator heads is: “the water pressure at the rotor head (in PSI) must exceed the distance (in feet) between the heads.” And if you’re going to space your sprinkler heads more than 45 ft apart, hire a professional sprinkler repair service or designer with the specialized knowledge that’s needed for the design project.

Gear-drive rotator heads have interchangeable nozzles with a radius reduction screw. Simply put, but turning the screw clockwise, the stream of water is distorted, which results in a reduction of the water stream radius. Do not adjust the radius based on watching the stream alone. The lawn surrounding the sprinkler will be a better indication of what adjustments need to be made.

If you’re worried about the esthetics of your landscaping, as well as the safety of rotator heads protruding from your yard, pop-up heads are a better choice than shrub style. They are installed below ground, and are only visible during watering periods. Because they are underground, they aren’t a tripping hazard.

The majority of rotator heads on the market have the same basic features, and therefore meet the minimum quality requirements. When shopping for rotator heads, check the radius listed on the packaging. The spacing of these heads according to the radius is very important, and should be followed according to recommendations.