CIT Irrigation System Installation & Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: When scheduling irrigation for a newly installed turf lawn (sod or seed), the watering frequency should initially be:

Once per week with deep watering
Multiple times per day with short run times to keep the surface consistently moist until roots establish (Correct answer)
The same as an established lawn
Only when visible wilting occurs

Correct answer: Multiple times per day with short run times to keep the surface consistently moist until roots establish

New turf — whether sod or seed — requires frequent, light watering (2-4 times daily for seed, 1-2 times daily for sod) to keep the surface and root zone consistently moist. Deep, infrequent watering is appropriate only after roots have established (typically 3-6 weeks).

Establishment watering differs fundamentally from maintenance watering: (1) Seed establishment: water 2-4 times daily for 5-10 minutes per cycle to keep the top 1 inch moist (seeds dry out and die quickly). Continue for 2-4 weeks until germination and initial root growth. (2) Sod establishment: water 1-2 times daily for 10-20 minutes to keep the sod and 1-2 inches of soil below it moist. Continue for 2-3 weeks. (3) Transition period: gradually reduce frequency and increase duration over 2-4 weeks. (4) Maintenance watering: deep and infrequent (2-3 times per week) to encourage deep root growth. The controller should be reprogrammed at each transition stage. Most callbacks on new installations result from improper establishment watering instructions.

Question 2: During a routine maintenance visit, a technician notices that several spray heads on a zone are producing a fine mist rather than a defined spray pattern. This indicates:

The system is working correctly
Operating pressure at the heads is too high, causing misting that wastes water through wind drift and evaporation (Correct answer)
The heads need to be raised higher
The zone valve is partially closed

Correct answer: Operating pressure at the heads is too high, causing misting that wastes water through wind drift and evaporation

Misting from spray heads indicates excessive pressure, which breaks the water stream into tiny droplets susceptible to wind drift and evaporation. Spray heads typically need 30 PSI — pressures above 40 PSI cause significant misting. Pressure regulation is the solution.

Misting is one of the most common and wasteful irrigation problems. High pressure forces water through the nozzle at excessive velocity, breaking it into tiny droplets that: (1) drift in wind (even light breeze moves mist significantly), (2) evaporate before reaching the ground (up to 30% loss), (3) distribute unevenly (heavy application near the head, almost nothing at the edges). Solutions: (1) Install pressure-regulating heads (PRS bodies) that maintain 30 PSI at the nozzle — the most effective solution. (2) Install an in-line pressure regulator for the entire zone. (3) Switch to rotary-style nozzles (MP Rotators) that operate well at higher pressures and produce larger, wind-resistant streams. (4) Avoid spray heads on high-pressure systems altogether. Most manufacturers now offer PRS (pressure-regulated spray) bodies as standard options.

Question 3: A proper irrigation system maintenance checklist should include all of the following EXCEPT:

Inspecting and adjusting sprinkler head alignment and coverage
Adding chlorine to the mainline to improve water quality (Correct answer)
Checking for and repairing leaks at heads, fittings, and valves
Testing the rain sensor and controller programming

Correct answer: Adding chlorine to the mainline to improve water quality

While sprinkler inspection, leak repair, and controller/sensor testing are standard maintenance items, adding chlorine to the mainline is not a routine maintenance procedure. Chlorine treatment is only used in specific situations like treating drip system biological clogging under professional supervision.

A comprehensive irrigation maintenance checklist includes: (1) Head inspection — check for damaged, clogged, sunken, or tilted heads; verify arc, radius, and rotation on rotors; clean clogged nozzles. (2) Leak detection — run each zone and inspect all heads, pipe connections, valve boxes, and backflow preventer for leaks. (3) Controller check — verify programming matches seasonal needs, check battery, verify date/time, adjust seasonal percentage. (4) Rain sensor test — press the sensor spindles to verify it interrupts the controller signal. (5) Valve operation — check for manual operation, full opening/closing, and bleed screw function. (6) Filter cleaning — especially for drip systems. (7) Backflow preventer inspection — visual check for leaks, coordinate annual certified testing. Chlorine injection is a specialized procedure used only for drip systems with biological clogging (algae, bacterial slime) and must be done carefully to avoid plant damage.

Question 4: After completing an irrigation repair, the technician should always:

Leave immediately to save time
Test the repaired zone, verify proper operation, document the work performed, and inform the property owner of any remaining issues (Correct answer)
Only test the zone if the customer requests it
Wait 24 hours before testing

Correct answer: Test the repaired zone, verify proper operation, document the work performed, and inform the property owner of any remaining issues

Professional service requires testing all repairs before leaving the site, documenting the work performed (including parts used and any warranty information), and communicating any additional issues discovered during the repair to the property owner.

The post-repair protocol ensures quality and customer satisfaction: (1) Test the repaired zone through a full cycle — verify the fix resolved the problem. (2) Run adjacent zones to ensure the repair didn't create new issues (e.g., a mainline repair might have introduced debris that affects other zones). (3) Check for new leaks at all repair points under full operating pressure. (4) Document: repair date, problem found, parts used, work performed, time spent. (5) Photograph the completed repair (especially before backfilling trenches). (6) Update the as-built drawing if the repair changed the system layout. (7) Inform the property owner: what was repaired, any additional problems observed (create a maintenance proposal), and any adjustments made to the controller. This documentation protects both the contractor and customer and builds trust for future service.

Question 5: An irrigation system installed with reclaimed (recycled) water must have what distinguishing feature on all above-ground components?

Red paint
Purple identification — purple pipe, purple valve box lids, purple tags on heads, and warning signs stating 'RECLAIMED WATER - DO NOT DRINK' (Correct answer)
Yellow caution tape
No special identification is required

Correct answer: Purple identification — purple pipe, purple valve box lids, purple tags on heads, and warning signs stating 'RECLAIMED WATER - DO NOT DRINK'

All reclaimed water irrigation components must be clearly identified with purple coloring (Pantone 522C) and warning signage. This includes purple pipe, purple valve box lids, purple caps on heads, and signs at the controller, meter, and visible valve boxes.

The purple color identification system for reclaimed water is mandated by plumbing codes (Uniform Plumbing Code, International Plumbing Code) and health departments. Requirements typically include: (1) All pipe must be purple or marked with purple tape at regular intervals. (2) All valve box lids must be purple (not green). (3) Quick couplers (if used) must have purple covers. (4) Signs at the point of connection: 'CAUTION: RECLAIMED WATER — DO NOT DRINK / NO TOMAR.' (5) Signs at the controller and in visible areas. (6) Hose bibs must be removed or permanently locked to prevent drinking. (7) No cross-connections with potable water — minimum separation distances required. (8) Dedicated backflow prevention. Violations can result in significant fines and mandatory system modifications. The purple identification system protects public health by clearly communicating that the water is not potable.

Question 6: What is the purpose of a flushing valve or end cap on a drip irrigation lateral line?

To connect additional drip tubing
To allow periodic flushing of accumulated sediment and debris from the lateral to prevent emitter clogging (Correct answer)
To regulate pressure in the drip system
To connect the lateral to the mainline

Correct answer: To allow periodic flushing of accumulated sediment and debris from the lateral to prevent emitter clogging

Flushing valves or removable end caps at the end of drip laterals allow periodic flushing to remove sediment, algae, and debris that accumulate in the tubing. Opening the end allows high-velocity water to carry out accumulated material that would otherwise clog emitters.

Drip line flushing is essential preventive maintenance: (1) Even with proper filtration, fine particles pass through filters and settle in the tubing (especially at low-flow periods). (2) Biological growth (algae, bacterial slime) develops inside tubing, particularly in warm climates and with organic water sources. (3) Mineral precipitates (calcium, iron) form inside tubing and at emitter orifices. Flushing protocol: open end caps or flush valves on all laterals, run the zone for 2-3 minutes until water runs clear. Flushing velocity should be at least 1 fps (some sources recommend 2 fps). Automatic flush valves open briefly at the start and end of each irrigation cycle, providing maintenance-free flushing. Manual end caps (figure-8 end closures or compression caps) require the technician to remove them for flushing. Quarterly flushing is recommended for most systems; monthly for poor water quality.

CIT Irrigation System Installation & Maintenance 2

When scheduling irrigation for a newly installed turf lawn (sod or seed), the watering frequency should initially be: