water conservation tips Archives - South Austin Irrigation

Troubleshooting Common Irrigation System Issues In Austin & How To Fix Them

September 30, 2023 By Matt Sorenson

When it comes to ensuring that your irrigation system is functioning properly, more often than not, it’s worth your while to call in the sprinkler repair experts. Achieving good quality summer lawn care and maximizing your water conservation requires that your sprinkler system issues be ironed out.

Here is some guidance on how to troubleshoot some of the more common irrigation system issues in Austin, how to know if there’s a problem, and whether you should call in the pros to resolve it.

Uneven Watering

One of the easiest ways to determine if you have a problem with your sprinkler system is when you start noticing that some areas of your lawn or yard are receiving more water than other areas. When this happens, you’ll notice uneven growth. Areas that receive adequate water would will be green and lush, with grass growing thick, while other areas might look dry and parched.

There are several possible causes for this. One of the more common causes is clogged nozzles or emitters. There could also be misaligned or broken sprinkler heads that need fixing, or there could be a problem with your water pressure that needs to be looked at. To solve these problems, one could clean the clogged nozzles and replace any damaged ones that are found.

To fix misaligned sprinkler heads, the direction and angle should be adjusted. Finally, you can ensure consistent water pressure by adjusting the system’s pressure regulator or hiring a professional to come in and identify and resolve your water pressure issues.

Very Low Water Pressure

When you notice that your sprinklers or your drip emitters are not providing adequate water coverage, there’s a good chance that this could be a water pressure problem.

It’s possible that partially closed valves are to blame for the low water pressure. If this has occurred, the solution would be to check and open them if possible. If you are not sure how to check and open partially closed valves, particularly if you have a very large system, then it is best to call in a professional who can assess the situation for you.

Another problem with water pressure might be attributed to blockages in the pipes or the filters. They should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis to avoid this problem. Any screens or filters that have become damaged might need to be replaced. The same goes for pipes.

Lastly, low water pressure could also result from the main water supply being compromised. If this is the case, you might need to consult the local water supplier to ensure that there aren’t any issues on their end. It might be a result of water restrictions being enacted or perhaps a burst pipe somewhere in the system.

If you cannot find the source of low pressure on your property, then you can deduce that it is most likely a problem with the water supply.

Very High Water Pressure

When the water pressure is excessively high, damage can be caused to the sprinkler components, resulting in misting or, in other cases, overwatering.

Possible causes of high water pressure include a faulty pressure regulator. To solve this, you should adjust or replace the pressure regulator. This can help you maintain appropriate water pressure.

Another common issue is a leak at a connection or pipe, more on this in the next section.

Like with low water pressure, if the problem is not coming from your equipment on your property, then there is a likelihood that the high water pressure is a problem with the water supplier. If this is the case, then you should install pressure-reducing valves that can manage and mitigate any intense water pressure fluctuations to protect your components and your landscape.

Leaks

Leaks are a common problem in sprinkler systems. If you notice that there is water pooling around sprinkler heads or next to valves or pipes, it could indicate that there is a leak in the system. Leaks are important to fix because they not only cause a reduction in water pressure but also lead to a significant amount of lost water, which can be expensive, not to mention wasteful.

Some of the possible causes of leaks could include damaged sprinkler heads, cracked pipes, or potentially broken valves. Loose connections can also be the cause of water leaks. However, most water leaks tend to result from wear and tear over time on sprinkler systems that have not been adequately maintained.

To solve leaks, the first step is to find where they’re coming from. This would include inspecting the system for visible leaks and tracing them back to their source. Once this is found, the damaged components must be replaced. Any loose connections that are found need to be tightened up and resealed or, if needed, replaced entirely with more functional joints.

To avoid leaks in the future, routine maintenance should be carried out on the sprinkler system to help offset wear and tear and identify potential weak points early on.

Overlapping Sprinkler Coverage

Overlapping sprinkler coverage is a problem because it leads to wasted water and potential waterlogging. This problem occurs when sprinkler heads are angled in such a way that they both cover the same area, resulting in double watering.

Usually, this is simply caused by incorrect sprinkler head placement, or the sprinkler heads being knocked out of position. Misaligned nozzles could also be the cause. The solution for this is simple, as it requires the adjustment of the sprinkler heads’ positioning to eliminate any overlapping coverage and the alignment of nozzles to avoid overspraying.

Generally, this kind of adjustment can be done yourself. In situations with many sprinkler heads and a large landscape, it might be best that professionals adjust the heads to ensure the most economical and effective coverage of the landscape.

Dripping & Sputtering

Sprinklers should operate with a smooth hum. However, if you notice that any of your sprinkler heads are dripping excessively or sputtering, particularly when the system has been turned off, then you might have a problem with pressure being trapped in the pipes or debris blocking the valves.

You could have check valves installed to help prevent pressure from building up in the pipes, which could eliminate dripping. You should also clean or replace any valves that may be clogged and causing the problem.

For expert sprinkler repair in Austin, contact us at South Austin Irrigation today. We can help ensure that your sprinkler system operates optimally so that you get the best summer lawn care possible with maximum water conservation. Whether you need a sprinkler valve repair or sprinkler head replacement, give us a call!

Maximizing Water Efficiency: Tips For A Sustainable Irrigation System In South Austin

August 23, 2023 By Matt Sorenson

Ensuring that your irrigation system is in good working order is important, as this will contribute to sustainable water usage and help the city of Austin navigate the significant and extended drought that has been experienced here over the past few years.

As such, when it comes to residential summer lawn care practices, the importance of water conservation cannot be overstated. Not only does it contribute to a healthier natural environment but also to the well-being of society within the city.

We here at South Austin Irrigation believe that, when it comes to being water conscious, there are several important reasons why you should have your sprinklers repaired and kept in good working order.

Reduce Your Water Bills

In addition to improving everyone’s access to water and benefiting society as a whole, using less water will result in lower personal water usage costs. Naturally, when water is scarce during drought periods, the cost of water may increase. Therefore, the more you use it, the more expensive it becomes.

Reducing your water usage by ensuring an efficient, optimally designed, and well-maintained irrigation system can help you significantly reduce your water utility bills.

Ensure More Efficient Watering

Sprinklers are designed to distribute water evenly and with precision to specific areas of the landscape. When a sprinkler system is poorly maintained, its intricate design can be compromised, leading to unintentional over- or under-watering in certain areas of the garden.

If the system is misaligned, becomes clogged, or experiences uneven water flow owing to general wear and tear and a lack of maintenance, then uneven watering can result, creating waste.

This wastefulness will not only increase your water bill but will also have a detrimental effect on your plants’ health. Thankfully, it is simple to prevent such unnecessary waste by making sure that the maintenance is done properly, which will ensure more optimal water distribution.

Detect and Repair Leaks Early On

Like any other mechanical system, sprinkler systems will develop inefficiencies from wear and tear over time. This wear and tear can eventually result in leaks and damaged components. These might include things like cracked pipes, faulty valves, or even malfunctioning sprinkler heads, which can lead to water losses and inefficiencies throughout the system. Water losses translate to wasted water, increased costs, and harm done to your garden and society at large.

It is vital that these issues are identified and repaired as promptly as possible to minimize water loss and conserve the valuable resource that is water.

Seasonal Irrigation Adjustments

As the different seasons roll around, your garden will require varying amounts of water to ensure optimal plant growth and health. Modern sprinkler systems typically come with features like timers and programmable controllers, which give you the power to adjust your watering schedules. This can be done according to forecasted weather conditions or other specific requirements.

Having your sprinkler system kept in good repair will ensure these features continue to function correctly, which will allow you to adapt your watering patterns to conserve as much water as possible.

A reminder to Austin residents about the city’s current water restrictions. Consult this watering schedule and adhere to your assigned watering days and times.

A More Attractive Property

Ensuring that your sprinkler system is properly maintained and that any repairs are done promptly can help ensure that your garden is well looked after and that it stays green and attractive all year round.

When your garden is attractive and lush, this can improve the value of the property quite significantly, as well as its sellability. A well-maintained garden signals to potential homebuyers that the house has similarly been well looked after, thus leading to greater buyer confidence.

Thankfully, maintaining an attractive landscape is not very difficult if your sprinkler system is in good condition. All this requires is periodic sprinkler maintenance and repairs done by an irrigation expert. Moreover, by using smart sprinkler technologies that are more water-efficient and that more effectively control water flow and direction, you can make sure that your plants are watered just the right amount they need to ensure the most attractive growth possible.

To improve your garden’s water conservation capabilities and get expert sprinkler repair in Austin, speak to the trusted summer lawn care specialists at South Austin Irrigation today.

5 Reasons Why Trees Die Too Soon in Central Texas

December 2, 2022 By Matt Sorenson

You water, mulch and fertilize your garden regularly. But somehow, one or two of your trees die every year and you can never figure out why. Is it you? The environment? Something else?

Here are five common reasons why Austinites lose trees:

1. The weather and soil

If your trees are not native or adapted to Central Texas, they will likely not survive the long, hot summers, the occasional cold winter and the alkaline soil. As a result, they will also be much more prone to insect infestations, diseases and/or leaf-drop.

2. Transportation/planting damage

Young trees are especially susceptible to damage during transportation and planting. The bark is tender enough that if it’s damaged, the vulnerable vascular system could get exposed. If that happens, the tree will die because it will lose its ability to transport water and nutrients from the roots to the stems and leaves.

3. Root/leaf dehydration

Container-grown trees need watering every day until they get planted or their roots will dry out. This is especially true during the hot days of summer. And when trees leave the nursery, they need to be covered. If they aren’t, the wind will dehydrate the leaves and small limbs, which will traumatize the tree and possibly cause it to shed its leaves later.

4. Improper planting

Trees should not be planted too deeply into the ground. As a good rule of thumb, the hole should be as deep as the root ball is tall and about twice as wide. After the tree is in the ground, it should be covered with the original soil and a layer of bark mulch right up to (but not touching) the trunk.

5. Over (or under) watering

The most common reason why trees die in Central Texas is that they get over (or under) watered within the first year-and-half of the day they were planted. Trees need at least 18 months to get established so they can survive extremes of temperature. During this critical window of time, it’s wise to test the soil around newly planted trees to make sure the roots are getting what they need.

South Austin Irrigation is here to help you keep your lawn and garden looking good no matter the season. If you’re looking to upgrade/repair your irrigation system, contact us today!

Call South Austin Irrigation at (512) 534-7449 to find out how we can help you with your irrigation system.

A Word About Xeriscaping

November 11, 2022 By Matt Sorenson

Texas can get very hot and it’s also prone to drought: 2011 was one of the driest years on record in the state. Climate issues like these can make it both difficult and expensive for people to maintain traditional landscapes.

If you are thinking about your lawn-and-garden options, then perhaps you should consider xeriscaping. The word itself is a compound of the Greek word xeros meaning dry and “-scape.” The term was coined by the Denver Water Department in 1981 to refer to a landscape design that has been carefully tailored to withstand drought conditions.

In xeriscaping, landscapers group plants with similar water requirements for more efficient watering. They also tend to avoid using turf grass because of the amount of water needed to maintain it. Not all practitioners of xeriscape landscaping completely eliminate lawns, however. Some simply switch to lawn grasses that demand less water. Others will relegate the lawn area to an accent on the landscape rather than maintaining it as the dominant element.

Less lawn to work with means that other elements will take precedence in a landscape.

In the Southwestern deserts, cacti, gravel and extended patios tend to dominate. An extended patio is just an enlarged patio that takes up space where turf grass would otherwise be planted. In regions like the Austin area that are dry but not quite as arid, ground covers, shrubs and mulches may take over for traditional lawns.

Xeriscape landscapes have a number of benefits.

Not only do they present fewer upkeep issues, they are also cheaper to maintain and help with water conservation.

4 Tips on Planting and Caring for Flowers During Drought

September 24, 2022 By Matt Sorenson

Part of what makes any landscape more beautiful are flowers. Unfortunately, many flower varieties are too fragile to withstand the kind of drought conditions that are currently a fact of life here in Austin and across much of the United States. But it’s still possible to add color to your landscape, especially if you choose low-water use annuals and perennials.

Here are some tips you can use to keep your blooms happy and healthy, even these water-tight times.

1. Prepare the soil properly

Loosen soil to a depth of 12 inches. Central Texas soil has a high concentration of clay, so adding three inches of compost on the surface and tilling it to a 12-inch depth is advisable.

2. Select your flowers with care

Look for annuals or perennials with gray or silver foliage as they are the most drought-tolerant.

3. Mulch, mulch, mulch

Apply one to two inches of mulch between flowers to avoid evaporation and control the growth of water-stealing weeds. With perennials, this can be permanent mulch like wood chips. With annual flowers, use dried grass clippings.

4. Irrigate twice a week

Water your flowers in the evening after 7 or 8PM or early in the morning between 5 and 9 AM to minimize evaporation. If you only allowed to run your irrigation system once a week, alternate between using soaker hoses or drip emitters one day and hand-watering when it’s time to irrigate again.

You can irrigate annuals and perennials twice a week if you’ve mulched your plants and water them deeply at each application. Be aware that some flowers will bloom less when you give them less water.

At South Austin Irrigation Repair, we know that working with water restrictions can be a challenge. But we also believe that it’s still possible to have and maintain a beautiful landscape despite current drought conditions. When you need irrigation system repairs, service or advice, we have the solutions for you!

Call South Austin Irrigation at (512) 534-7449 to find out more about irrigation for you.

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