Maintaining an Irrigation System
Yearly drip system maintenance is especially important to make sure plants are receiving the water they require and that none is being wasted.
- Check the system early in spring before it is turned on for spring-summer irrigation. This would include opening the end caps and “flushing” the system.
- Clean filters regularly – at least monthly for wells, yearly for municipal water.
- Also check county and local municipality drought restrictions, such as when to irrigate and limits on water use.
- During the irrigation season, check the system on a monthly basis, inspecting tubing for leaks and clogged emitters. Use the senses (especially hearing and sight) to detect problems.
- Monitor and adjust the system relative to what is happening with the plants. Add/Remove tubing/emitters as plants grow or die and need to be replaced.
The topics outlined below will help you install a drip system.
- Drip irrigation vs other irrigation methods
- How to get started
- Drip irrigation management
- Key considerations when implementing a drip system
- Drip irrigation basics
- Drip irrigation in different landscape situations
- Determining how much water to apply and how often
- Maintaining an irrigation system
- How to get help