Have you ever calibrated your sprinkler system? It’s sounds technically difficult and a bit intimidating. Guess what? It’s not!
How To Calibrate Your Sprinkler System
Calibrating means to check, standardize or adjust systematically. In a scientific world this sounds complicated. In the world of sprinkler systems we are going to make it simple! The tools you’ll need – 8 to 10 empty clean tuna cans.
Place the cans randomly in a single zone of your irrigation system. Go to your sprinkler timer and run that specific zone manually. Once the system is done running through the zone shut the sprinkler off. Go around and measure the depth of water in each can. Add the total depth of water collected and divide by the number of cans of used to get an average amount of water collected during a cycle of the sprinkler system for that specific zone.
Proper Collection Levels of Precipitation
Each can should collect 1/8″ to 1/4″ of precipitation If there is less than 1/8″ of an inch you need to increase your watering time. If there is more than 1/4″ you need to decrease your watering time.
Please note: if there is inconsistency in the amount of water collected in the cans scattered throughout the zone of the sprinkler system It’s a great indication that you need to adjust your sprinkler heads for better more uniform coverage in that zone.
Repeat The Calibration Test For Each Zone of The Irrigation System
You will need to repeat the above process for each zone of your irrigation system. Make sure you adjust your timer to reflect the needed increase or decrease in watering times as determined by the calibration test.
We refer to calibrating your irrigation system as “The Catch Can Test”. If you are unsure of how to do this or would like a trained professional to do this for you feel free to contact us at 239.772.2607 or contact us via Email.
