Great Falls, MT • (406) 454-2963
Tricks and Tips

1. Watering Considerations
2. Controller Considerations
3. General Summer Maintenance
4. Winterization
5. Spring Start-up
6. What to consider when comparing bid prices


1. Tip: Watering Considerations

  • Avoid over-watering lawns and gardens, usually it is just a waste of water. Depending on the type of soil, watering may need to occur more frequently for less time to eliminate runoff. Example: In heavy clay a yard should be watered 3 times a day for 5 minutes, for a total of 15 minutes. This will allow the water to soak in, while minimizing runoff.
  • Water in the early morning. This allows for the leaf surfaces to dry off during the day, which will prevent fungus that is usually caused by watering in the evening. Early morning watering also saves money on the water bill, since most of the water can soak in and not evaporate. To accomplish this have the watering cycle finish just before sunup.
  • Set up the zones to achieve efficient watering and so that all plants get the approximate amount of water.
  • Keep grass at a long enough length to shade the roots, and prevent evaporation. This will also encourage a more solid root system.
  • Use mulch such as; pine bark, compost, wood chips, lava rock or limestone on any areas of exposed dirt surrounding plants. This will significantly reduce moisture evaporation. However, don't use sheet plastic to cover exposed dirt, this will prevent it from breathing.
  • Adjust the system as the weather and seasons change. This can be done manually or shut-off devices that detect rain, high wind, or freezing weather can be easily installed.

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2. Tip: Controller Considerations

Directions for controller operation are on the inside of the controller.

The controller should always remain plugged in. During winter switch controller to off position, but leave plugged in.

RHS Timing Recommendations
  • Large Radius heads - RB 2045 maxipaw, Toro 700, Hunter PGP
    • Cool Weather - 30-40 minutes every zone every day
    • Hot Weather - 40-60 minutes every zone every day
  • Small Radius heads - RB 1804
    • Cool Weather - 10-15 minutes every zone every day
    • Hot Weather - 15-30 minutes every zone every day
  • Start Time - Subtract total watering time from sunrise.
  • Watering Days - During summer water every day, however, spring and fall watering can be changed to every other day.

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3. Tip: General Summer Maintenance

Once a month turn the system on in the middle of the day, and make sure things are working properly. Areas that start to brown are a good indicator that the system needs to be adjusted or repaired.

Things to check while the system is on.
  • Sprinkler Heads
    1. Head Alignment - Make sure that the sprinklers aren't watering sidewalks or driveways.
    2. Head Adjustment - Make sure the heads are spraying large droplets, and not a fine mist or fog which are more susceptible to evaporation and wind.
    3. Clean Nozzle - If the head if not spraying correctly still, try cleaning the head out.
      • Spray Head: Head can be screwed off to clean.
      • Impact Head: A head removal wrench is required that is available for RHS.
  • Grass Height
    • Make sure sprinkler heads pop up higher than the height of the grass, if not trim the grass with a knife or scissors. The heads need to have a clear spray path in order to maximize the coverage area.
  • Coverage Areas
    • Make sure that all areas of the lawn and garden are getting watered, check any brown spots and see if they are getting any water.
  • Any other problems with the system contact Ron Hall Sprinklers

NOTE: If the lawn stays green the system is probably functioning properly.

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4. Tip: Winterization
Even though poly pipe has expansion properties that allow it handle cold weather. RHS believes that it is better to be safe than sorry, so to do this it is recommended that all lines and valves be blown out. This process doesn't cost much, and prevents any freezing problems and allows for an earlier spring start-up. NOTE: Turning the controller off doesn't protect the system from freezing. If the system was installed by RHS or you are in the computer we will call you in the fall and let you know when blowouts scheduled for your neighborhood.

If there is an early cold snap RHS recommends the following procedure.
  1. Shut off sprinkler system water supply.
  2. Remove drain plug under vacuum breaker
  3. Wrap exposed copper pipes and vacuum breaker in insulation, old towels or blankets.
If it warms up again the above procedures can be reversed to turn the system back on.

Self Winterization: Sprinkler systems can be winterized by patient the home owner with a small 1 or 2 horsepower air compressor.

Steps for Self Winterization:
  1. Attach the air compressor to the plug by the vacuum breaker or to the drain at the end of the manifold in the redwood box enclosing the valves.
  2. If the system has a pump, disconnect it otherwise, go to the controller, manually start zone 1.
  3. Turn on the air compressor. Blow air into the lines until no more water comes out of zone 1.
  4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 going through all the zones in the system.
  5. If the landscape of the system has varying or steep slopes, repeat steps 2 - 4 to make sure all water is out of the system.
  6. Disconnect air compressor, leave drain valve open, turn controller to the off position for the winter. DO NOT unplug the controller!

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5. Tip: Spring Start-up
It is easy for the home owner to start the system up in the spring. To do this, all zones and heads should be checked for approximate direction, and cleanliness. Ron Hall Sprinklers does provide this service for a small fee. If you have any questions or want to schedule a spring start-up contact Ron Hall Sprinklers.

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6. Tip: What to consider when comparing bid prices
1. Q: Does a licensed plumber install the vacuum breaker?
Why: It is required by law.
2. Q: Is all indoor and outdoor plumbing done in copper?
Why: PVC and Poly are more susceptible to damage.
3. Q: Is the vacuum breaker installation plumb and neat?
Why: When your lawn looks good we look good.
4. Q: Are valve boxes placed in inconspicuous locations?
Why: Plastic valve boxes are not as inconspicuous as wood boxes.
5. Q: Do zone valves have manual flow controls?
Why: Provides advantages to home owner and maintenance personnel.
6. Q: Are manifolds constructed of heavy-duty SCH80 threaded tee's?
Why: Glued SCH40 manifolds will crack and can not be economically repaired.
7. Q: Is the pop-up height of the sprinkler adequate for the application?
Why: Heads should pop up enough to maximize range, but not so high that they are susceptible to damage.
8. Q: Are low angle spray heads used around buildings, gardens and in restricted areas?
Why: This gives better control of water application and keeps most water off buildings and unwanted areas.
9. Q: Are rotor heads and spray heads zoned together?
Why: This will cause flooding in spray areas and drought in rotor areas.
10. Q: Are commercial grade components used and are parts readily available?
Why: Residential grade parts have poorer seals, lower pop-up and are made of lower grade plastics. Some brands are not easily obtainable.
11. Q: Does installation of heads meet manufacturers design specification?
Why: If heads are spread to far apart or if to many heads are on one zone dry spots will occur.
12. Q: Does the contractor correct and brown spots that may occur do to improper irrigation?
Why: The customer shouldn't have to pay extra for what the installers overlooked.
13. Q: Does contractor give consideration to zoning heads that water similar areas?
Why: Sun, shade, garden and hills all have different watering needs.
14. Q: Does contractor provide zone chart and service manual at end of project?
Why: An educated home owner can save a lot of time and money by solving the small problems.
15. Q: Does the contractor provide a quality follow-up inspection after installation?
Why: Any thing that was over looked during installation can be fixed without bothering the home owner.
16. Q: Does contractor provide service technicians for spring turn-on, winterization, and general repairs?
Why: It is easier and less expensive for the company who installed the system to do service and repairs on the system.

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