A general rule of thumb, especially in the summertime when the temperatures are high, is to always set your watering times for the early hours of the morning. At Commercial Lawn Irrigation, we recommend sprinkler system run times be set between the hours of 4:00 and 6:00 in the morning.
The ideal time to water, therefore, is early in the morning between 4 am and 8 am. Your lawn will have time to absorb the moisture deep down to promote root growth, but will not be too damp by dark that it encourages fungus and other problems. The number of hours of continuous wetness should be kept to a minimum.
To keep your irrigation investment safe, monitor the weather and wait until temperatures consistently remain above freezing through the night. Typically, the best time to start up your sprinkler system is between the middle of April and the middle of May.
Aerate to increase infiltration. 6. Water in the early morning (4am to 10am). This allows the grass blades to dry, making them less susceptible to foliar diseases.
If the temperature reaches above 70 degrees consistently for more than 3 days then begin automatic watering or run one cycle manually. Temperatures in the 60's or below you may water once or twice a week or water manually. Temperatures above 80's begin automatic watering every other day as per your water district code.
Avoid watering grass on a hot afternoon when it's 95 degrees or higher. The best time to water grass is at dawn or in the early evening. Water deeply three times a week instead of a little water daily. Test whether your sprinkler system is watering your lawn evenly.
A common rule that is followed for obstructions within 18 inches of the sprinkler deflector is the “three times rule”. This requires sprinklers to be positioned away from obstructions a minimum or three times the maximum dimension of the obstruction.
The “Four Times Rule” is really just an extension of the “three times rule” however it covers extended coverage sprinklers and the maximum clearance is 36 inches (0.9144 m).
But life happens and sooner or later the running sprinkler is forgotten – even overnight! Not only does this waste water, it's also tough on the water bill – and can cause irreparable lawn and plant damage. In fact, over-watering can cause just as many problems as under-watering.
An automatic sprinkler is typically activated when the temperature reaches within the range of 135-165 degrees Fahrenheit, saturating the fire below it. Sprinkler heads have a small glass plug containing a glycerin-based, colored liquid that expands with temperature.
It is best to turn on your system during the warmest time of the day when anticipating freezing conditions. Be sure the outside temperature is 40 degrees fahrenheit or above when you run your system. You ABSOLUTELY do not want to run your sprinkler system during a hard freeze as this will cause damage to your system.
Fire sprinkler systems are actually quite sophisticated, and are designed to be heat sensitive so that sprinklers only activate when the temperatures rise to fire-induced temps, usually somewhere between 155 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nothing should be in that area between the bottom of the sprinkler heads and the imaginary horizontal plane parallel to the ceiling that is 18 inches below. This is done to allow an even and unobstructed spray pattern from the sprinklers when triggered to extinguish the fire.
On the other hand, watering longer but less frequently, “deep watering,” produces deep roots that mean lawns can better survive periods of drought. The ideal watering schedule is once or twice per week, for about 25 to 30 minutes each time.
Watering in the morning also helps your lawn stay cooler throughout the hottest parts of the day, decreasing the amount of heat stress for the turf. If you are unable to water in the mornings, early evening (between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM) is the next best time.
At different pressures, the sprinkler head and nozzle will consume different amounts of water. For example, at 35 pounds per square inch (PSI) the 5000 Series Rotor using the 3.0 nozzle will use 3.11 gallons per minute (GPM). If your home's water capacity was 10 GPM, you could place 3 heads per zone.
You can operate 2 or 3 sprinklers at one time with 'Y's and extra hoses, depending on your water pressure. To run more than one sprinkler off the same faucet, attach a 'Y' to your faucet and run a hose to each sprinkler.
Running multiple zones at once is usually not possible due water-pressure and flow limitations at residential properties. As with any standard irrigation controller, you can wire multiple solenoids/valves to the same zone output if you want.
Or, if you prefer, simply leave the irrigation design up to an installation professional, so you can be guaranteed head-to-head coverage. Typically, though, a sprinkler system zone will boast 5 to 6 rotor heads and/or 8 to 10 spray heads.
Check your system's design.
Keep the spray at least 2 feet away from the house.
1 of NFPA 13, which states that the distance from the sprinkler to the wall can be no more than one-half the allowable distance between sprinklers. The max distance between standard spray sprinklers in light hazard settings is 15 ft. (4.6 m) (with exceptions for light-hazard, combustible concealed spaces).
So, how often should you water your lawn in the summer? The answer may surprise you. Between irrigation and natural rainfall, your grass should receive between 1 and 1.5 inches of water each week during the summer. Water deeply every other day for the best results.
Don't water everyday.
The more shallow your grass roots are, the less hearty it will be in hot weather. Instead water about two times per week for longer periods of time.
It's important to water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance. Most grasses require about 1-2 inches of water per week, which can be achieved through one or two deep watering sessions. Overwatering can lead to shallow root growth, disease, and pest problems.