An Introduction to Irrigation Systems
Everyone wants to have a great looking lawn, garden, or landscape. Many people invest a good deal of money for the outdoor beauty of their homes. Irrigation systems are one of the keys to maintaining that beauty year after year. There are many parts, pieces, and processes that go into making an irrigation system work.

Lawn and Garden Sprinklers
Sprinklers are usually the first thing people think of when looking to irrigate their lawn or garden. This is for good reason. Whether you need an overhead sprinkler for watering your lawn or a drip system suited for trees and shrubs, it’s important to choose the right sprinkler for the job.

Pipes
Along with sprinklers, pipes are also quite important. Having the correct piping will ensure all sprinklers in your system get the proper water pressure. Whether its PVC pipe, or polyethylene, or metal pipes such as steel or cast iron, be sure to choose the right pressure rating for your system as well as making sure the pipe you choose will be well suited for the area in which you live.

Valves
There are several different valves that an irrigation system will use. The main valves are used by the controller to regulate water flow. These can be hydraulic or electric depending upon your needs. Also anti-siphon valves are important for preventing backflow, and shut-off valves can make your life easier when it comes to maintenance of your system by allowing you to shut off the water to your system without interfering with the water supply to your home.

Controllers
Controllers are the devices that regulate water flow by opening each valve at the proper time and for the proper duration. Controllers come in different styles depending on how big or small your irrigation system needs to be. A single controller can regulate as few as 4 valves or as many as 40, and some systems may require more than one controller. Each has its own features, some more sophisticated than others, and cost varies accordingly.

Sprinkler Heads
Whether you have an overhead sprinkler or a drip system, the sprinkler head is an important choice. Each head disperses water differently. Some heads oscillate and have adjustable angles of dispersion while others simply disperse water evenly in a 360 degree pattern. Each head also has different throw, or distance, over which the water is spread. Some throw for as little as 4 feet while others can throw water up to 60 feet.

Rain Sensors
These sensors can assist the controller with water conservation by detecting rainy weather and instructing the controller to disable the system to prevent over-watering. Some also contain sensors to detect freezing conditions.

Water Conservation
The main purpose of any irrigation system is to conserve water while keeping your lawn and garden properly irrigated. Things like adjusting your controller settings, choosing the best times to run your system, giving the sprinkler system a tune-up, or fixing leaky valves can all help conserve water and keep your bill under control.

Troubleshooting Irrigation Problems
Troubleshooting is another important step. Sometimes a sprinkler might work manually but not electrically, a valve won’t close, or a spray head won’t spray. Knowing what to look for and the steps to repair it can help you keep your system running efficiently.

Irrigation Scheduling and Timing
Scheduling is another big key to successful irrigation. By using a smart controller to manage your system or by knowing how to check soil moisture and knowing your plants well, you can time your watering for optimal water usage and optimal plant growth.

Maintenance
Lastly, it is important to perform routine maintenance on your system. This includes controller maintenance, sprinkler or drip system maintenance, and winterizing.