34 SportsTurf | March 2014 www.sportsturfonline.com
Irrigation & Drainage
it is to have problems down the road. The investment of
money on the front end to use the services of a quality profes-
sional such as a Certified Irrigation Designer (information is
available
at www.irrigation.org) can mean savings in the effi-
ciency and integrity of a system.
Once any system is installed, however, regular mainte-
nance is your friend. None of it is too difficult; as long as it
is done on a regular schedule, it will become easier.
At least on a seasonal basis, remember to do the follow-
ing:
• Test the irrigation and drainage systems to ensure there
are no leaks, breaks or blockages. If problems are found, con-
sult construction diagrams to locate and investigate them.
• If the irrigation system has been winterized (drained or
blown out), it should be reopened carefully, allowing water
to flow slowly into the system zone by zone. Next, at a
minimum, check the day and time on the controller to en-
sure it is correct and then run the controller through one full
cycle.
• Check for the proper opening and closing of each valve.
• Check the spray pattern to make sure it is fully covering
each zone.
• Check the operation of each sprinkler head. Do pop-ups
function correctly? Do rotary heads rotate? Are heads at the
correct height and are they adjusted correctly?
Photo courtesy of Stantec Sport, Boston, MA
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