Proper head adjustment is a critical part to a properly functioning irrigation system. The best designed system can waste as much water as the poorest designed irrigation system if the sprinkler heads are not properly adjusted. This is a relatively quick operation that should be done a couple times per year or whenever landscaping is done around a sprinkler head.
The type of sprinkler head that needs adjustment will depend on the tool that will best suit your needs. For the most part any adjustment can be done with a small flat head screw driver. However, there are specialized tools that can make the job easier.
The two main adjustments that we are looking to accomplish are for distance and accuracy. For distance our goal is for each sprinkler head to reach the next closest sprinkler head for the best coverage. If we are overshooting it will not be optimal coverage and may need to run that zone for a longer period of time to get the best water distribution. If we are undershooting the water, we may end up with dry areas in the lawn. Either way you will end up with a lot of wasted water. Accuracy is another important factor in adjusting the heads. This will be different depending upon where each sprinkler head is placed; the most noticeable will be along any pavement. The goal is to have our sprinkler head stop right along the lawn line. If the head goes to short it will result in dry lawn and if the spray goes too far it will result in wasted water. Again this is much more noticeable along any pavement but important throughout your lawn.
Winters in Minnesota are hard on our sprinkler heads and often result in them coming out of adjustment. A spring start-up is a great way to have a professional come out and get your system properly adjusted. Throughout the year heads may become out of adjustment as well, with activity on the lawn and plant growth affecting your system as well. Having a mid-season check is another way to keep your system in good health during the hot summer months when your lawn needs water the most. Barrett would love to help you keep your irrigation system running efficiently with proper head adjustment so your lawn looks great!
