An irrigation system that functions exceptionally well is the sign of a true professional. To ensure irrigation installations are kept at the highest quality, developers and contractors should remain mindful of a few tips that will keep systems running and customers happy. Like most situations within the land development industry, communication between the developer and the contractor is essential. While much of the burden often falls to the contractor, to save time and money, the developer needs to know the questions to ask and the answers he should hear in return.

Tip #1: Start with a professional design
A quality installation begins with a professional design. When done correctly, a proper irrigation design goes beyond laying out pipe and selecting heads. An irrigation designer should collect important site information such as available flow and pressure, water needs of the target plant material, and potential obstacles to a clean installation to create a highly efficient system.

Assembling site information for the irrigation design can have a profound effect on the outcome of the system. Accurate flow and pressure readings can eliminate costly mistakes such as too many heads on a zone. All too frequently, developers and contractors go onto a property determining zones and water needs based on the shape of the property rather than on the plant water requirements, situation of the property and the long term implications of the installation. The result is wasted water, wasted time and – in the end – wasted money. Most irrigators over water because they do not take the time to determine where the water should go and how much should be applied. Potential obstacles that are not taken into account can create a more expensive installation, making it hard to save money on the job. A good design makes the installer’s job much easier and less costly.

Tip #2: Plan
Hundreds, even thousands, of dollars can be saved by planning the installation. Needless trips to the supply house, employees waiting idly for materials to arrive, reworking an installation “on the fly” because of a poor design can all be eliminated with proper planning. Before stepping onto a job, contractors should make a list of what needs to be done and what products are needed. Contractors can then coordinate these elements to ensure that everything is delivered on time. A little obsessive behavior before hand should help to reduce overall costs.

Tip #3: Think about the future
Even if a plan works well for today, it may not meet the requirements of tomorrow. It is important to ascertain future design possibilities and needs. For example, when installing in a new residential development, contractors should account for the possibility that, as more houses are added to the area, available water flow and pressure may change This may require smaller spacing on heads to account for a loss in pressure.

Contractors should also ask the developer questions about the future expectations of the property. Is the property owner thinking about adding a deck to the back yard? If so, the contractor can reroute the mainline when installing the system, greatly reducing the time needed down the road to rework the system when that deck is finally installed.

Tip #4: Choose the right materials
Developers should make sure that the contractors are using the lastest technology. All too frequently when going to a distributor for irrigation products, contractors reach for the supplies that they know and trust. Keep in mind there are many new products on the market that may make jobs easier. Contractors should spend some time educating themselves on what is available and what makes the most sense for the project on which they are working.

Tip #5: Make it easy to maintain
When installing a system, contractors should make sure they are not creating problems that will make it difficult to maintain the system down the road. Developers do not want problems after the contractor leaves the job.Using swing arms and flexi pipe will help when the need arises to adjust heads. Spend the time to install valve boxes properly, leaving enough room inside so that any future repairs or general maintenance can be easily done.

Tip #6: ­Flush the system
It is not unusual for development projects to fall behind schedule. In an effort to finish the job, many contractors have found themselves in a situation where they were forced to rush to get a system installed. When this happens, one important step that is frequently overlooked is taking the time to flush the system. Flushing before and after the valves are attached and before nozzles are fastened will help keep unwanted debris out of the system. It could also potentially save hours of troubleshooting and servicing work.

Tip #6: Check the system
Before backfilling the system, contractors should make a final check of the entire installation. If there are leaks or flow issues, contractors will be able to catch them before a potential problem is covered with turf.

One of the keys to growing an installation service is satisfied customers that spread the word on the quality of a contractor’s work. By following some simple steps to ensure an irrigation system is installed properly, contractors can ensure their customers’ satisfaction – and a steady workload – for years to come. Developers seldom complete just one project and they will be utilizing contractors that make their life easier. SLDT