Before spring start-up of irrigation installations, it is worth going through all the elements step by step - from the water source and pump, through filtration, fittings, to sprinklers and drip lines - to ensure failure-free operation. garden irrigation throughout the season, also when working in automatic mode.
Assessment of water source, quality and available capacity
The first step before starting is to define what will be powered by it irrigation system and what efficiency we can achieve with stable pressure - this applies to wells, water networks and rainwater tanks.
- Check water sources – drilled well, dug well, water supply, open tank, Rainwater tank or greater retention.
- Assess the current water table level and possible seasonal fluctuations - protect yourself against a drop in intake efficiency during the peak season lawn irrigation.
- Measure approximately amount of water achievable: open flow test for 30-60 minutes and conversion to l/min to properly plan an irrigation system.
- Assess the basic water parameters (sand, mechanical impurities, possible iron) - this is crucial for the selection of filtration, protection of IBO pumps / IPRO and limitations water loss in the installation.
If you, as the owner, assume intensive garden irrigation powered from Rainwater, it is necessary to select the appropriate retention capacity and rainwater pumps from the IBO offer, so that water supply it was also stable when many sections were operating at the same time.
You can find more about rainwater pumps and IBO garden pumps on the manufacturer's website: rainwater and garden IBO pumps.
Pump selection and verification - submersible pump, garden pump, hydrophore
Before starting the season, it is necessary to check whether it has been applied Submersible pump, Garden pump or the pressure booster set has parameters corresponding to the design flow and pressure requirements for the selected one watering system.
- Submersible pump IBO / IPRO – used for deep shots with high performance requirements, ideal for extensive shots lawn irrigation systems and long-range sprinkler sections.
- Garden pump – a good choice for shallow shots or working with Rainwater tank, where mobility is required or periodic garden irrigation.
- Hydrophore or automatic control unit - for installations requiring stable pressure throughout system operation (extensive sprinkler sections, drip lines at different levels).
It is worth verifying:
- The pump's lifting height and capacity must meet the demand irrigation system requires for the most loaded section, taking into account pressure losses in the pipeline, fittings and filters.
- The electrical condition (cables, plugs, connectors, redundant protections) and the tightness of connection stubs and bypasses - this is the basis for safe powering the irrigation system.
- Visual inspection of the body, seals and possible leaks.
Examples of submersible pumps IPRO for power supply professional irrigation system you will find here: Dambat IBO deep well pumps / IPRO.
Filtration and protection of water quality
With intense lawn irrigation and plantings, regardless of the type used type of irrigation, it is crucial to select filtration tailored to the intake - both in terms of pump life and reliability Sprinkler nozzles and drip lines.
- Mesh filter – the basic element that irrigation system includes for most installations; protects sprinklers and drip installation against mechanical contamination (sand, solid fractions).
- Carbon filter – used less frequently, mainly where better water quality is required (e.g. sensitive crops or connecting installations). garden irrigation with utility water supply).
- Periodic inspection of filter cartridges, rinsing, cleaning and recording replacement dates in the documentation working irrigation system it didn't lose flow.
Remember that filtration that is too fine in relation to efficiency may increase water loss on the filters and lower irrigation system efficiency, if it is not properly oversized.
Detailed instructions and installation recommendations for IBO pump controllers and accessories are available in the instructions section: instructions for IBO pumps and accessories.
Inspection of fittings, PE pipelines and connectors
Before the season, a comprehensive inspection of fittings, manifolds, section valves and supply pipelines should be carried out so that complete irrigation system it was tight and ready to work under maximum load.
- Browse all PE lines and PE connectors – check the tightness of connections, possible mechanical damage to cables, pipes and joints, especially after winter.
- Check shut-off and control fittings, section valves, air vents and non-return valves - they are functioning properly system elements are crucial for even distribution of flow.
- Fill the installation with water and perform a short test system operation at low pressure to locate any leaks.
From the installer's point of view, it is also a good time to correct the section configuration, if in the previous season water your garden properly did not cover all zones or there were problems with the uniformity of watering.
The current offer of fittings and accessories for IBO pumps can be found on the manufacturer's website: Dambat – Polish manufacturer of IBO i pumps IPRO.
Sprinklers, drip lines and selection of irrigation type
The key stage in preparing the installation is to verify whether it is selected appropriate type of irrigation actually matches the current plantings, soil and size of the garden, and whether irrigation system must be adapted to new areas or lawn renovations.
- Static sprinklers – most often used for smaller ranges, regular and typical geometry watering the lawn, require careful inspection of angles, ranges and nozzles before the season.
- Rotary sprinklers – ideal for larger areas, in complex areas sprinkler systems, require stable pressure provided by a properly selected IBO pump / IPRO.
- Drip installation i drip irrigation installation – recommended where soil irrigation it has to be precise, a garden watering system must minimize losses and improve water use by roots.
Modern lawn irrigation systems and rebate take into account a combination of sprinklers and extensive drip lines, creating personalized irrigation systems adjusted to specific zones, solar exposure and soil moisture.
The selection of appropriate devices for irrigation of lawns and gardens using submersible and surface pumps and IBO hydrophores is described in the article: Submersible pumps in garden irrigation.
Automation, control, programmers and drivers
When intense and repetitive automatic garden irrigation it is necessary to use appropriate control so that automatic irrigation system maintained optimal operating parameters of pumps, sections and watering schedules.
- Driver i Programmer – they constitute the heart of the system, they manage the operation of solenoid valves, schedules and the sequence of sections, they allow plan an irrigation system so as to avoid overloading the water source.
- The cooperation of the controller with sensors - humidity, rain, flow - increases irrigation system efficiency, limits water consumption and allows you to choose optimally appropriate amount of water to current ones plant needs.
- Pump controllers, pressure switches and electronic IBO controllers - protect the installation against dry running, pressure drops and overload, which is important in intense garden irrigation.
Before the season, you should verify the settings Programmer i Driver, adjusting schedules to the current one size of the garden, expansion of zones, as well as planned changes in garden irrigation project.
Detailed instructions for installation and configuration of IBO pump controllers can be downloaded from the section: IBO manuals – pump drivers and controllers.
Hydraulics, pressure and regulation – preparation for intensive work
To install irrigation system properly and prepare it for intense loads, it is necessary to check under what conditions the pump operates and what its target is water pressure and whether we will maintain the required value for sprinklers and drip lines at key points in the installation.
- Pressure regulator – stabilizes the operating parameters of the installation, protects the fittings and Sprinkler nozzles against excessive pressure, keeps repeatable system operation with variable capture conditions.
- Section calibration – dividing zones so that lawn irrigation systems and drip sections operated in optimal flow and pressure ranges, a irrigation system must be sized for the furthest supply points.
- Hydraulic analysis – assessment of whether Power supply is able to provide proper irrigation of the garden even at maximum load, taking into account plant development and increasing soil retention.
In practice, as buildings grow and the character of the garden changes, it may be necessary adjustment of the irrigation system by adding sections, replacing pumps or adjusting nozzles to maintain high irrigation system efficiency.
More information about pump operating parameters and pressure selection can be found in the Dambat guide: IBO water pump guide / IPRO.
Design, modernization and adjustment of the irrigation system to the garden
Before the next season, it is worth verifying whether the current one is OK irrigation project corresponds to the current development, planting arrangement and planned changes - this applies to both new flowerbeds, lawn expansion and retention installations Rainwater.
- Review of existing documentation i garden irrigation project – verification of sections, pipe cross-sections, sprinkler types, drip line lengths and pump loads.
- Analysis how preparation of irrigation systems may take into account future expansion (e.g. additional irrigation kit for a greenhouse or vegetable garden).
- Assessment whether size of the garden and new plantings require more personalized irrigation systems – e.g. separate sections from drip irrigation system and independent sequences for different zones.
It is particularly important at the modernization stage choosing the right system – in many cases various irrigation systems it is worth combining them using separate ones independent irrigation system for greenhouses and central professional irrigation system for the lawn, powered by a common pump IPRO with adequate performance reserve.
Inspirations and tips on how to choose appropriate irrigation system for various applications you will find in the articles on the Dambat blog: types and selection of water pumps.
Pre-season checklist – step by step
Below is a shortened checklist for the installer preparing complete irrigation system for the season of intensive garden watering using IBO pumps / IPRO:
- Water source – assessment of efficiency, water level, quality and availability Rainwater and water from the well.
- Pump – inspection Submersible pump or Garden pump, operating parameters, protections and adaptation to installation requirements.
- Filters – control Mesh filter and possible Carbon filter, rinsing, replacing cartridges.
- Fittings and pipelines – overview PE connectors, shut-off fittings, section valves, tightness test.
- Sprinklers and drip lines – inspection Sprinkler nozzles, angle settings, flows, cleaning the ends of drip lines.
- Control – updating schedules in Programmer i Driver, integration of humidity and rain sensors.
- Plumbing – verification whether irrigation system requires adjustments in terms of pressure, sections and flows.
- Documentation – update irrigation project, making changes, notes on performed service activities.
So prepared, working irrigation system will ensure stability garden irrigation i lawn irrigation throughout the season, with optimized operating parameters of IBO pumps / IPRO and minimizing failures during critical drought periods.
For more product information and configuration options universal irrigation system for the garden using IBO pumps and accessories, please visit: Dambat – manufacturer of irrigation systems and IBO pumps.
FAQ – the most frequently asked questions from installers
Which pump should you choose to power an intensive lawn watering system using rainwater?
When powered by Rainwater tank most often used Garden pump or submersible pump for Rainwater from the Dambat offer, so that watering system he was stable Power supply irrigation system when several sections are working.
The selection should take into account the required capacity, lifting height, line length and type of sprinklers and drip lines used to ensure irrigation system includesł capacity reserve for expansion.
With large gardens and extensive facilities lawn irrigation systems worth considering Submersible pump IPRO along with appropriate control.
How often should you service the filters in your irrigation system?
Filter service depends on the water quality and the intensity of operation of the installation, but at intensive garden irrigation inspection is recommended Mesh filter at least once a month during the season.
When using water with a lot of suspensions or when it is intense watering the lawn and drip lines, it is worth shortening the interval to 1-2 weeks to maintain high irrigation system efficiency.
What to do if the water pressure in the sprinklers drops when several sections are running?
A drop in pressure usually means that irrigation system requires division into a larger number of sections or use of a pump with higher efficiency and pressure, in accordance with the IBO pump selection recommendations / IPRO.
First of all, it is worth checking the filters for patency and tightness PE connectors and any leaks they may cause water loss.
How to choose the programmer's work schedule to suit the needs of plants?
Schedule Programmer i Driver should take into account plant needs, soil type, solar exposure and local weather conditions - shorter cycles are often more effective than long sessions.
By enabling rain and humidity sensors, you can dynamically adjustment of the irrigation system to current conditions, limiting water consumption while maintaining appropriate soil moisture.
What should you pay attention to when installing an irrigation system with an IBO pump yourself?
At self-assembly of the system it is crucial to correctly select the IBO pump, pipe diameters, appropriate sprinklers and drip lines so that install irrigation system in accordance with hydraulic assumptions.
It is also important to use appropriate filters, Pressure regulator, electrical protection and planning the work of the section in Programmerto system operation did not overload the water source.
Is it worth investing in advanced irrigation systems with sensors?
Advanced irrigation systems with humidity, rain and flow sensors allow for significant reductions water loss and adjust amount of water to the current needs of plants, increasing irrigation system efficiency.
With growing irrigation costs and more frequent periods of drought, this type of solutions in combination with IBO pumps / IPRO become standard in modern irrigation systems gardens and green areas.
Where to find instructions and technical support for IBO pumps / IPRO?
Instructions for installation, operation and selection of IBO pumps / IPRO are available on the manufacturer's website in the section: downloadable instructions – Dambat.
Additionally, the Dambat blog has many articles to help design of irrigation systems, pump selection and optimization lawn irrigation systems and gardens.
