There are a number of ways to save water that will help the environment and your pocket book. Poor sprinkler system set up is a leading cause of water waste. At JB Irrigation and Services we are implementing a program that will help eliminate this waste and lower your water bills. Here are five more water saving tips that you can implement on your Houston sprinkler system.

Change heads or nozzles to the same precipitation rate (balance coverage)

The application of water is not balanced. Rotor heads and Fan-spray heads should not be on the same zone. Sprinklers of mixed manufacturers should not be on the same zone. The differing application rates of the sprinklers cause uneven coverage.  You are forced to over water some areas (waste) to get just enough water for another area.

Consider bringing your system up to code

Texas State Law requires all Sprinkler systems to have an approved Backflow Preventer installed. ANYTHING that is in or on your lawn can be “sucked” back through your sprinkler system into your drinking water supply. Pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, just to name a few. It’s for your health, safety, and the protection of the public drinking water supply.

Raise heads too low in the grass

The grass blades are obstructing the spray patterns. We recommend changing out your 2”, 3”, or 4” heads with 6” pop-up heads. As grass grows it builds its own elevation upward. Dead grass blades, runners and root system all make up your lawn’s thatch. As thatch builds up so does the level of your lawn. Your lawn slowly inches upward leaving your irrigation heads too low. If the head can not spray out like it should, the result is that all the water pools immediately around the head (waste, runoff), while the rest of the areas receive no water.  Your heads may only spray correctly if the grass is freshly cut.

Raise heads that have become too low in bed areas

Change these heads to a 12-inch pop-up. When the system was originally installed, it probably reached and covered as it should. You need now to account for your plant’s growth. Now that the plants have grown the sprinkler spray has become blocked. The plant adjacent to the head receives all the water (way too much,=waste) where it should be broadcast over the entire area. The Plants that aren’t right next to a head do not get any water.

Install freeze protection components on system

During the winters of 2010 and 2011 a hard freeze in the Houston area damaged tens of thousands of sprinkler systems. Average freeze repair bill was about $400. Also is the potential to waste 1000’s of gallons of water if the burst is not detected immediately.