Troubleshooting Your Sprinkler System
The 2 main ways that the system will not work is no power or no water.
Before you check the rain sensor please ensure the water has not been shut
off to the irrigation system and that you have power at the plug
that the controller is plugged into. To test this you can plug a blow dryer,
drill etc. into the outlet. Even if the controller has a display on the LCD screen
it is because they have a backup battery, but it still will not work without power.
If you are having a problem with your system, before you call our office, check
the following list of questions, answers and troubleshooting tips.
Information about your controller can be downloaded right from our Controller Instructions webpage.
Click here for links to the manufacturer’s website and their latest Controller Manuals
Technical Support and FAQ’s From Rain Bird
https://www.rainbird.com/homeowner/index.htm
Rain Bird Instruction Manuals & Literature
https://www.rainbird.com/homeowners
System has not watered since last cycle
Has it been raining? If so, the Rain Sensor is designed to override the
system to conserve water. There are 2 types of rain sensors. One
that collects water in tray. if water is present empty the tray and the system will reactivate.
The other is a mini-click rain sensor. It has felt pads that swell as it rains.
This type of rain sensor usually takes 2 days of sunshine before it will reactivate itself.
I have tried the power and it is working, but system will still not activate
Check to see that a wire has not been cut. This usually occurs when there has been some landscaping work done. If this is the case book an appointment for one of our technicians to come out.
Only some watering zones are working
Each irrigation zone is controlled by a separate valve. If this is the case you
have a faulty valve and you will need to book an appointment to have one of our technician’s replace the faulty valve.
My irrigation system is not coming on at its programmed time
If you have checked that the program is correct, the only way that this can work incorrectly is if the current day and time is not correct. Re-program THE DATE AND TIME IN your controller and this should work. If there was a power failure, controllers over 2 years old with battery backup only save THE PROGRAM. The date and time go back to the Factory Default.
Spray patterns and sprinkler heads not working in correct areas
Most pop-up sprinkler heads can be turned by simply grabbing the stem and turning back into correct position.
The spray pattern from my system is either too strong or not strong enough
You can adjust the spray amount by turning the screw clockwise on top of the spray head.
Pop up is coming up but no water is coming out?
Make sure the head is not screwed down all the way.
If it isn’t, check to see if the nozzle is clogged with debris.
If it is, unscrew the top of the nozzle, flush out the nozzle and replace t he nozzle head.
Please let the office know what kind of system you have when you call for an appointment.
Below are a few Frequently Asked questions about automatic sprinkler systems,
if these do not answer your questions please feel free to call or email us and we
will get back to you as soon as possible.
Most Frequently asked Questions before installing irrigation
Prior to making a purchasing decision regarding an irrigation system, you may have a few questions you would like answered.
If you don’t fine the answer to your question here, feel free to call or email us and we will get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.
Is it necessary for my installation contractor to be licensed and insured?
Residential irrigation systems are usually connected to a municipal water supply, so they must meet municipal codes for installation. Your local plumbing inspectors can tell you what is required for your area. Ask your contractor if they are familiar with municipal standards.
Also, make sure they have liability insurance and comply with Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) regulations.
How are the piping and heads installed in established landscaped areas and is
there any damage to existing planting and lawn areas?
This will depend on what type of landscaping is already established. In large lawn areas, we use what is call a “ditch witch” pipe puller which pulls the pipe underground and leaves a single line. If we need to get more pipes in one trench we first cut the existing turf and fold it to one side and then use a trenching machine.
In some cases where we cannot get the machinery on site we will dig all trenches
by hand. This results in little damage to the landscape and once watering starts, after about a week, the lines will disappear. Georgian Sprinklers. will install a very clean and professional job with little disruption to the landscaping.
Once the irrigation system is installed, what then?
Once the system is installed, we will set the controller to what is best for your landscaping needs. We will leave you the controller manual to study and after a week to ten days we will send a technician back to go over the system
with you while showing you all the features of the controller.
This provides time to ensure that the system has been operating properly, and gives us an opportunity to do any final tuning of the system. You will
also be provided with a laminated zone list located next to the controller. This will
let you know exactly where your zones are located.
Service and Warranty
Georgian Sprinklers Inc. warranties all installations against defects in material
and workmanship for a period of 2 years from the original date of installation.
In addition, some manufactures warranties extend to 3 to 5 years on parts. To retain
this warranty, yearly service is required.
This involves a. Spring Start-Up and Fall Shut-Down/Winterization There is a small fee associated with these services.
Spring Start-Up and Fall Shut-Down/Winterization must be performed by a Georgian Sprinklers Inc. technician for the warranty to remain in force. Our service vehicles are all equipped with radios communicating with the office,
to ensure quick and reliable service to the customer in case of troubleshooting.
FAQ’s about Automatic Sprinkler Systems
Will an automatic sprinkler system use more water than I’m currently using?
No. In fact, it will conserve water. You’ll never have to worry about runoff from over
watering or wasting water when you forget to turn off the hose. And, with a moisture sensor, your system will know when it is raining and simply shut itself off when water is not needed.
Does having a sprinkler system really save time?
Yes. You will not have to spend another minute of your valuable leisure time watering the lawn. Your new system will do all of the watering for you-even when you’re away from home.
Will an automatic sprinkler system water as well as I can water by hand?
It will do a better job because a professionally designed system will deliver exactly the right amount of water to individual lawn and garden.
We generally get 40 or more inches of rainfall a year. Do we really need a sprinkler system?
If it rained every three days the same exact amount each time-you probably wouldn’t need a sprinkler system. But nature doesn’t work that way, and the only way to ensure healthy, lush growth is to make certain your lawn and plants receive a regularly timed, evenly measured amount of water.
In the dry season when there is little or no rain, your lawn and gardens can suffer damage
after just a few days without water.
Are there different systems to choose from?
Systems are tailored to meet individual needs. But a typical system is comprised of:
- A controller (the brains of the system)
- Valves (which open and close to release and stop the flow of water to underground pipes) and
- Sprinklers (which actually distribute the water to a given area).
It’s best if all components of a system are manufactured by the same company in order to ensure that they are designed to work well together. But unlike Rain Bird, most companies make only a component or two of the complete system.
Rain Bird designs and manufactures all of the major components
of a complete irrigation system. Rain Bird also has a nationwide network of distributors to support contractors who install Rain Bird systems.
How do I know what type of system is best for me?
It’s always best to work with a professional irrigation contractor, who is knowledgeable about factors like water source and pressure, soil type, planting materials and weather conditions.
He/she will take all of this into consideration in designing a system specific to the needs of your landscape.
Can I save money by installing my own system?
It could cost you more money in the long run. A professional irrigation contractor will design and install the most cost-effective and water efficient system possible. You can be certain that he/she will select the appropriate equipment for the job, while streamlining the maintenance required to keepyour landscaping in top shape.
They will pay special attention to such important factors as sprinkler patterns (it is important to overlap the patterns so that the outer edges receive sufficient water for healthy growth) and backflow prevention (necessary to protect your drinking water supply).
And because your contractor is familiar with local plumbing and electrical codes, you won’t have to worry about costly mistakes in wiring or pipe installation. They can do the job faster, with less disruption to existing landscaping, and will guarantee the work.
Will I have difficulty operating this system?
Your contractor will help you select the best controller for your needs, and they will set it with your individual watering schedule.
Your contractor also will work with you to explain the system’s operation. Then, if necessary, you can easily change the watering schedule by just following the easy instructions on the inside of the controller cabinet.
How much will a good system cost?
The price of a system will vary depending upon many factors such as property size, type of landscaping and special designs. But you can count on your irrigation contractor to design a cost-effective system comprised of quality Rain Bird products. He/she is familiar with Rain Bird’s many professional series products and knows
how to put the right ones together in a system that will achieve maximum results for you.
They also know that Rain Bird, as well as its nationwide distributor network, stands behind all of its products and is serious about commitment to quality construction and after-sale service.