July 17, 2024

Inspect Sprinkler Systems for Efficient Use During Heat

Historically, July is the hottest month in Colorado. As temperatures rise across the state, landscapes react to the weather and require increased water usage. Irrigating properly ensures the landscape stays protected from heat, resulting in efficient water use that reduces your water bill and demand on your local watershed.

Here are some tips to keep your landscape healthy this summer without overwatering:

Routine Sprinkler Inspections
  • Run each zone manually and inspect each sprinkler head. Ensure heads are straight, not leaking and applying water to the intended area. Adjust heads over- spraying onto paved surfaces or areas not requiring irrigation.
Check your Schedule
  • Set your controller’s schedule for the hottest time of the year, then use the seasonal adjust feature to reduce watering during cooler, shoulder seasons. This means the peak season demand should be set at 100 percent of seasonal adjustment.
  • Implement cycle and soak. Since much of the soil on the Front Range is clay, it can only accept water at a slow rate. Schedule shorter run times with more cycles instead of one long cycle. Program one to two hours or two in-between cycles and set to run on a less frequent basis. This will encourage the water to percolate deep and draw roots further into the soil, making them more tolerant to extreme temperature.
Consider Upgrading Your Sprinkler System
  • WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers can save time and money with automated scheduling. By recognizing weather patterns and accounting for precipitation, these products can keep your landscape soil at the ideal moisture capacity without much manual intervention.

  • The sale of non-pressure regulated spray bodies was banned by state law in 2019, if you have not replaced any sprinkler heads since then, now is the time to consider upgrades. PRS spray bodies regulate pressure at the head, increasing uniformity and can reduce losses from misting and evaporation.