The Parts of An Irrigation System
One of the best ways to ensure that your lawn or garden stays healthy throughout the year with minimal effort is to install an irrigation system. If you are new to this, it is always good to know some basic information about your irrigation system to quickly get any replacement parts or solve minor issues if they arise without having to call in an expert. Here is an essential guide to the elements of an irrigation system.
1. Water Source
Of course, the water source is an essential part of any irrigation system. While this is technically not a component, without this, your sprinkler system will not function. It is optional that the water source has to be directly connected to your home, but having a line directly related to the house is the easiest and quickest way of getting your system going. You can even consider using a rainwater source or a pond for your irrigation system, but installing the pressure and filters will need a fair bit of work.
2. Pump
The pump is the component that builds pressure to the line to ensure that the water is evenly distributed. Even if you have an irrigation system low on pressure, you will still need to install a pump to ensure the water reaches all of the lawn. This is why a pump is considered one of the essential parts of an irrigation system. However, remember that you must get the right size for your system, so research before getting one. Installing the wrong-sized pump may put too much load on your system, or it might need to give more power to reach all the irrigation lines.
3. Controller
You need a controller to ensure that the system waters. The controller is an integral part of the irrigation system that controls when the water will start flowing and when it will stop. It might also control water pressure if you have an adjustable pump. It is also good to be familiar with all the controls of the system in case you need to adjust it yourself.
There are many different types of controllers, but the most common one is digital nowadays. This lets you control several settings at once, and it is also better than the older timers that many irrigation systems still use. Always choose a controller that is easy to use and understand.
4. Backflow Preventor
When the water starts flowing through the irrigation system, you need to ensure that there is some prevention method in place to avoid backflow of the water. This backflow prevention functions as a valve preventing water from going back into the water line. For those who use fertilizers on their lawn, it is essential to have backflow prevention installed. Otherwise, the fertilizers will end up entering the main house water line from where you have taken the system connection.
Many cities have regulations that demand you use a backflow prevention component to prevent the entire water system from getting contaminated. Since this part also affects the water pressure, you should check this component frequently and replace it if it looks worn out or about to fail. If your backflow part breaks, you risk contaminating the entire water system.
5. Sensors
Nowadays, many irrigation systems have sensors that turn the water on and off. Some of these sensors can be installed inside the soil to monitor the content of the soil to prevent overwatering. Others detect weather conditions to ensure the system turns off in case of rainfall.
If you have an irrigation system without sensors, you might find a way to install sensors separately. These sensors can help you conserve a fair amount of water and make your system more autonomous.
While these are the essential components of an irrigation system, you will also find many lines and emitters. Lines are the pipes that spread the water throughout your lawn and are usually made of plastic tubing or PVC pipe. You can place them either under the ground or above, though having them hidden from view looks better. Meanwhile, emitters are the parts of the irrigation system that provide the actual water to the plants. They can either be a drip style or sprinkler style. They come with different heads, and you can choose which works best for your yard.
