As the weather outside starts to warm up, many homeowners go outside and start their gardens. Whether your garden focuses on sustainability or you just enjoy looking at flowers, having the right tools is the key to a successful season. One of the most essential components of your garden is your sprinklers and irrigation system. Common plumbing problems like poor water pressure and leaks can negatively impact your gardening plans.
Outdoor Faucets
One of the very first things on your garden plumbing checklist should be inspecting your outdoor faucets or hose bibs. These are the most vulnerable parts of your plumbing system because of freezing temperatures. Even frost-free models can develop hidden leaks and worn-out seals over time. Start by turning your faucet on slowly and watching for any leaks around the handle or spigot.
If you see water dripping when the faucet is on, you may need to have the washer or cartridge replaced. Be sure to also inspect the line running to that outdoor spigot for any leaks or cracks that need to be addressed. If you don’t notice any leaks, turn up the water supply to its full position. Ensure there’s a steady flow of water coming out. If you are experiencing weak pressure, there may be a blockage, mineral buildup, or a partially closed valve that’s causing the problem.
Hoses
Your garden hoses experience general wear and tear and sun exposure throughout the spring and summer. A damaged garden hose can waste a large amount of water in a short amount of time. To prevent this from happening, it’s best to unroll each of your hoses and inspect them for cracks, soft spots, or bulges.
Check the fittings at each end to ensure that there is no damage. If the hose looks alright, connect it to your spigot and try running water through it. Ensure there is a solid stream of water coming out and there are no leaks at the fittings or along your hose. Now is the perfect time to go ahead and install those quick-connect fittings to ensure everything is ready to go for your gardening season. Storing your hoses indoors during the cold weather months can protect them.
Lawn and Garden Sprinklers
If you have sprinklers that you use as part of your irrigation system, it’s necessary to do a full test cycle before relying on them for the summer. You want to inspect each sprinkler head to ensure that it’s performing correctly with an even spray pattern. If you notice dry patches, sputtering, or uneven spray patterns, this can indicate a malfunction with the head. It could be something as simple as a clogged nozzle, and you need to remove the debris. In other cases, a full replacement may be necessary.
Irrigation and Sprinkler Timers
Timers are the perfect addition to any garden irrigation system. They help conserve water and ensure that your garden gets the water it needs to flourish. Ideally, you want to ensure that you’re not watering too much in the early season. Upgrading to a smart irrigation timer can be a great option for homeowners who need custom watering schedules.
Many smart timers will adjust to outdoor weather conditions. This means it will conserve water by not watering your garden when it has already rained for the day. This is great for reducing your utility bills and ensuring your garden doesn’t get overwatered. You can even connect many smart irrigation systems to your smartphone to see how much water they’re using and adjust as necessary. Now is the perfect time to go ahead and connect smart timers to your phone so that they’re ready to go.
Importance of Fixing Small Problems
It’s always important to catch issues when they’re small. Even small drips from your hose can turn into expensive issues over a short period of time. Taking care of these issues now will help set you up for an easy, stress-free gardening season.
Reliable Plumbing Inspection Services
Linn Benton Plumbing offers reliable plumbing services and inspections for Albany, OR, and the surrounding communities. We can also assist with all your plumbing installation, replacement, and repair needs. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced plumbing professionals at Linn Benton Plumbing.
