Quick answer: A rain sensor tells the irrigation controller to suspend or interrupt scheduled watering after enough rainfall has been detected. Its job is to prevent unnecessary irrigation during or after rain; it does not diagnose leaks, measure every area of soil, or correct poor sprinkler coverage. Rain sensor versus weather-based controller A traditional rain…
Quick answer: Yes. Irrigation leaks and control problems can increase water use, especially when they occur repeatedly during automatic watering or allow water to pass when the system should be off. The size of the increase depends on the type of leak and how often it occurs. Visible leaks are not the only source of…
Quick answer: Irrigation schedules should change as weather and landscape demand change. A controller that uses the same watering frequency and runtime from cool spring weather through summer heat can either waste water or leave the landscape short of what it needs. Spring Start conservatively and account for rainfall. Check that the system itself is…
Quick answer: Yes. A thorough spring sprinkler start-up can reveal leaks, weak zones, malfunctioning valves, broken heads, controller problems and poor coverage before they waste water throughout the watering season. Winter and landscape changes can expose new problems Freeze conditions, soil movement, landscaping and ordinary wear can affect irrigation components while the system is inactive…
Quick answer: Weather-based irrigation controllers can reduce unnecessary watering by adjusting schedules using weather information instead of running the same fixed program regardless of changing conditions. Savings depend on correct setup and a mechanically sound irrigation system. What weather-based control changes Traditional controllers run according to programmed days and runtimes unless someone changes them. Weather-aware…
Quick answer: Dry or stressed turf can result from too little irrigation, but it can also come from poor sprinkler coverage, clogged nozzles, low pressure or a failed zone. Before increasing the schedule, determine whether water is actually reaching the affected area. Check whether the problem follows sprinkler coverage A sharply defined dry area near…
Quick answer: Common signs of excessive irrigation include persistently soft soil, standing water, runoff, frequent puddling, and a schedule that waters regardless of recent rainfall. Some lawn problems can resemble overwatering, so check irrigation coverage and drainage before assuming runtime alone is responsible. Watch the soil and runoff If water begins running onto pavement before…