We called on one of our professional points of contact, Chuck Deleasaes of Spirit Filled Sprinklers; and he concurs. He also sees people turning off their irrigation system entirely during our rainy summers. The problem, he says, is that no mechanical item should be shut down over extended time periods without a thorough inspection prior to relying on its use once again. Many people have flipped the “ON” switch to their irrigation system thinking all is well, only to find later that parts of the system were not operating up to par. Chuck recommends having your irrigation system checked by a professional at least two times per year, preferable more, to ensure optimal operation.

Another detail to attend to with your irrigation is the timing of watering. Twice a week between the hours of 4 and 8 a.m. is ideal thus allowing the sunshine to evaporate any excess water. Any earlier, and the water is sitting on the plant material too long before the sun rises; which can then lead to fungus. Check your local regulations to be sure your watering schedule complies with rules set forth locally.

So, keep your irrigation system in good working order. Avoid costly repairs and damage to plants and grass due to over or under watering. Ask your person responsible for mowing to check your system on a monthly basis, and see to it that they are actually performing a thorough check. And finally, hire a professional to give your system a thorough check at least twice a year. It could save you money and effort in the long run.