The "Irritation" System
~Ed Jensen

We all have been there before. Your landscaper recharged the irrigation system in the spring and you have authorized paying for some minor tune-ups, which of course always end up being more than what you budgeted. You’re good to go.

Before summer really has even kicked in you begin to get work requests to repair valves, replace heads, and the always popular "the clock was struck by lightening" will probably come up. How much of this is actually necessary? When does this stop? Is my irrigation contractor competent?

Unfortunately, irrigation system maintenance is absolutely necessary. Every year the system ages and requires some level of upkeep. Just like your car or your computer, the older it gets, plan on more going wrong.

How do you minimize costs?

1. Use qualified contractors that have been referred to you by qualified people. If you have a good contractor do not change; a new service provider will not have the history of the system. In the short term you may pay more for a new service provider as they learn the in’s and out’s of your system.
2. Do not under budget. A good rule of thumb is to add 10% to last year’s actual amount.
3. Set a benchmark for the irrigation system by a qualified contractor and allow him to help you build your budget. The contractor can make general recommendations relative to how much life is left in your clock, valves, sensors, and other areas.  This "audit" will help you plan.
4. Your contractor should be programmed to audit your system 3 to 4 times annually. This systems check can catch minor defects/flaws that are less expensive to repair proactively, not to mention avoiding the aggravation of dealing with "gushers" in the middle of a restful weekend.
5. With OLM involved, contractors are expected to spot check the irrigation system and be aware of "hot spots", oozing heads and valves, etc. Let us show you how OLM’s involvement keeps contractors on their toes and results in a better-looking property.

With water costs the way they are, an efficient "irritation" system will waste less water, result in lower water bills, and help keep your landscape looking its best.

As with most electronic items that we use during our daily lives, irrigation controllers have improved significantly in recent years. The old mechanical irrigation controllers contained many moving parts such as motors and timers. These controllers were relatively simple to program or set, however did not posse the technology or capabilities of today's Digital or Modular controllers.

Advantages of the Digital or Modular irrigation controllers include:

• Digital or Modular controller has basically no moving parts.
• Easy to program through self-prompting LCD display.
• Provides the ability to operate four independent programs, with up to six different start times.
• Controller has battery back up to maintain program memory during power outage situations.
• Can be set to run short test program for inspection.
• Provides features such as water budget adjustment, rain delay and cycle/soak program capabilities.
• Controller has the ability to diagnose and troubleshoot electrical programs such as solenoid or wiring faults indicating such faults via LCD display.
• Cost is about the same as outdated mechanical controllers.

If your current irrigation system is controlled by an mechanical controller we recommend you consider replacing such a controller with either a Digital or Modular controller.