Before installing a sprinkler system..what are some "bad shortcuts" to look out for from my installer?
Question:I:E..material used..xtra water meter needed? heads..
Answers:
i service irrigation systems for a living. i have seen all of the good, and all of the bad.
check liscencing, and make sure they use the correct utility locates and backflow preventers.
a second water meter will only pay itself off in the long run.
Brand name is a huge thing. the best rotor heads- Hunter
the best mister spray heads- Rainbird
Controllers- Hunter
valves, Hunter is okay and easy to repair, Rainbird is the best quality. Irritrol is okay and great for high pressure conditions, but is hard to work on.
Stay away from the following brands for heads valves, and timers: Nelson, K-rain, Toro, weathermatic, Orbit
also, head location is a major thing.
the heads do not need to be where an edger can hit them ( right inbetween a sod line and a pinestraw island, or driveway.
they should be 3-4 inches inside the sod or beds.
the heads should also be low enough so a mower will not hit them. (flush with ground level)
make sure he puts the valves in a convienient location.( not where a bunch of trees will grow roots)
multistrand wire is the best wire ( barron is a good brand)
rain sensors suck. they are a waste of money. (all of them)
make sure he wire nuts and seals up all wire connections (duck tape doesnt work for long.)
hope this helps
used bird brand materiels, make sure it works before,he covers up the soil, and get a work guartee, in writing
for at least a year..
the single most important thing is to check the contractor's license and to check with the better business bureau to see if there have been complaints against him.
the second most important thing is the depth of the trench. it should be a minimum of 18". most contractors will bury the pipe shallow. longevity of the system will be determined by this, regardless of what the contrator may say. at 18' it will be below the frost line and will not suffer from heat damage.
here is a tutorial, so you can have basic knowledge on your side. http://www.irrigationtutorials.com/insta...
hope this helps.
More Related Questions & Answers...