If you have exceptionally bad retic flow and pressure then it could be that you have a restrictor fitted to your water meter.
This can limit the flow to 9l/min and mean that it’s very difficult to get an efficient system up and running.
If you aren’t sure then check with your plumber. You may go from 9l to 30l overnight!
This is a common question.
And the answer is usually very simple. Generally speaking this happens when more than one start time is set.
Unless there is a watering exemption in place you are only allowed to water once a day which means you only need one start time.
Often people get ‘start times’ and ‘run times’ mixed up. So get this :
YOU ONLY NEED 1 START TIME!
Most errors are made when people set 5.00am as a start time, then 5.15, 5.30 and so on.
So when you set your controller make note of which function you are operating in the dial and just set the one start time.
If you get stuck then just give me a call!
I have had a call each year for the last two years to come and replace the turf at this small backyard in Butler. A combination of young dogs and a shaded area means it has been tough for the lawn to survive.
It starts with a dig out of the old turf. Only 12m so not too much hard work. You can see the patchy old lawn below.
Then it’s time to screed and update the sprinklers with some mp rotators. The regular Toro nozzles were getting blown around in the wind and dirtying the pool fence.
And from here it was a case of laying the Sir Walter slabs and making it look good again.
Hopefully he won’t need to call next year!
It’s pretty miserable outside today but Sunday and Monday are looking very nice!
Call us to ensure you’re retic Controller is working and set correctly.
Today’s job was to install a backyard system for a client in Jindalee.
There was no retic in the place at all so we began with the sprinklers plumber, then the master valve and just one station solenoid to serve the lawn using MP Rotators.
The trencher got a good workout in the established turf and we finished in good time.
If you need retic installed in your backyard then be sure to give us a call!
Nope…
If your reticulation isn’t working then changing the battery will just be $9 down the drain.
The battery is not responsible for the operation of the sprinklers. It simply helps to retain the settings when the power goes off.
Your retic needs 24v if power to open the solenoids so changing a battery wont do the job.
If it’s not working then it could be any one of a number of issues – but it won’t be the battery!
If you see water running down your street like this from the sprinkler at the bottom of the hill then it means you have at least one leaky solenoid.
The next step is to locate the correct solenoid and change it over. We can do this quickly with our solenoid detector and we can generally get the location perfect which minimises the digging in your lawn.
Here you can see we have been able to pinpoint the faulty valve.
Then once the valve is exchanges we test it and make sure all is working as it should be.
And just for good measure we go back to the sprinkler that was causing the problem and ensure it is no longer weeping.
Problem solved!
If your sprinklers are barely spraying then it will be one of a few issues.
The most likely is that the system has a leak and pressure is getting released at a point other than the nozzles. Most likely is that a riser has broken and needs replacing.
Another possibility is that all nozzles are blocked. Rather than trying to unblock them you’re probably better off just replacing them.
Another possibility is that the solenoid has seized and is partially shut. This is the least likely option.
So
a) check for leaks around the base of sprinklers.
b) remove a nozzle and check to see if there is good water pressure.
c) if neither of the above resolve the issue then you may need to check out the solenoid.
By a process of deduction you should be able to find the problem!
If you ever find yourself in a situation where one of the wires to your solenoids has broken and you either can’t be bothered or are unable to find the break then ‘add a station’ is your friend!
By using this device you can make one power wire serve two solenoids, meaning you can either add a solenoid in a space where there is no access for new wires, or you can keep a solenoid operational by using the add a station on the functioning wire.
It’s saved a lot of people over the years and is one of the most useful retic devices I have come across.
Yeah you can.
But the pipes get crusty with sand and they are harder to cut and keep clean.
The green retic glue will still work even with a little water on it so you don’t need the two surfaces perfectly dry and clean – although that is preferable.
The biggest challenge of rainy days is definitely the sand that sticks to the pipes but just carry a towel and wipe the ends before joining and it should be fine!