Month: July 2020

Get to Know Your Sprinkler Pumps with Sprinkler Master Repair

Knowing about your sprinkler pumps is important if you want a healthy, green lawn. By counting on the services of Sprinkler Master Repair, we’re here to help you know all you need to know when it comes to these important pumps. If you have any questions or concerns, or perhaps if you’d just like to get in touch with us, click here to be directed to any of our franchise locations around the United States!

ITS PURPOSE

Sprinkler Pumps are used to increase pressure in a sprinkler system. Pumps are typically used in low-pressure or large systems. They are usually between 3 and 5 horsepower, depending on the size of the sprinkler system, and are usually connected to 115 volts and 230 volts. The pipe sizes are usually between 1 and two inches with not much fluctuation in between. Though the pumps are simple enough, there are things you’ll need to do to maintain them properly.

Click here to watch a video that gives a general overview of the sprinkler pump, and get in touch with any of our Sprinkler Master Repair locations to get your questions answered or your needs met!

Names of Parts:

Pump: These increase water pressure and volume and are run by an electric motor.

Pump Start Relays: These are electrically operated switches that turn on the pump. It’s started by a surge from the sprinkler timer that sends the power to the pump.

Foot Valves: These valves let water into the system and prevents the pump from draining out. Usually, these are used when you’re pulling water from a body of water such as a canal or a lake.

Loss of Prime Switches: are switches that will turn off the pump if there is no water coming into the pump. This prevents pump burnouts.

Above-Ground Sprinkler Pumps: boost the water pressure in the system by a significant amount. A downside is that they are very expensive, both to buy and repair.

Common Problems with Sprinkler Pumps:

• Not getting power
• The pump is bad
• Cracks in the pump causing leaks
• Bad pump start relay
• Not enough water getting to the pump
• Clogged filter

How to Diagnose and Repair Problems:

With a pump, there can only be 3 sources to a problem.

1. The pump is bad

2. Power isn’t reaching the pump

3. Water is not getting to the pump

You know the pump is bad if there is power running to it, but it’s still not functioning. Use a multimeter to test if there is power on the wires. If the pump is bad, you will most likely need to replace it or have it rebuilt. If no power is getting to the pump, use a multi-meter to see if you are getting power.

There are 4 things that could be why the pump is not getting power:

1. Power In: Check and see if there is power coming to the relay. If there is not power, the breaker might have tripped.
2. Relay Switch: If power is coming to the relay switch, check the outgoing part to see if you are getting power going out of the relay. If no power is going out, it is most likely a bad relay switch.
3. Bad Wiring: If you are getting power going out of the relay but not to the pump, most likely there is a break in the wire.
4. Loss of Prime Switches: You can manually override the loss of prime switch to see if that is causing the problem. If the loss of prime is turning off the pump, it’s most likely doing its job and the system lacks the incoming pressure to run stably. If it has enough PSI, but the switch is not working, the switch could be bad but if its low PSI, it could be a filter that needs to be cleaned.

How to Install or Repair:

Pumps should be installed on a flat, secure surface such as a plastic box or cement. Pumps should also be installed with a cover to protect them from weathering and wearing prematurely. For installation of the electrical components, make sure to follow all guidelines from the pump manufacturer, and know if it’s 110 volts or 220 volts coming to the pump. Whenever dealing with any electrical parts on the pump, ensure the breaker is turned off.

If a pump goes out, it can be replaced and hooked back up as long as none of the existing wires are modified or changed. A pump should be on its own breaker and connected to a relay. When connecting a pump to a sprinkler system, make sure it comes right off the main water supply before it connects to any components (except a filter and main valve). Usually, the main water supply connects to the center of the pump (usually a 1 ½ inch female connection) and comes out of the top or side (usually a 1-inch female connection). Since pumps are installed above ground, make sure to use the galvanized pipe.

When you’re finished with the pumps, make sure they are primed — which means that they have water inside that can keep the pieces lubricated. However, if there is pressure coming into the system, you usually won’t have to prime. In the case that you do, there is a primer access port usually on top of the pump. Remove the plug and pour water into it, replace the plug and run it for a few seconds.

Tips and Tricks:

Pumps often run at expensive prices. Be sure that you know what you’re doing, or get in touch with any of our Sprinkler Master Repair locations by clicking here. Our experienced and qualified sprinkler technicians can get the job done right the first time. Choose Sprinkler Master Repair to work on your sprinkler pumps, and so much more!

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Common Sprinkler Heads with Sprinkler Master Repair

Sprinkler Heads are an essential part of any lawn with an automatic sprinkler system installed in them. They’re not so much there for creativity, but rather for functionality. Choosing the right sprinkler head can prove to be an important task, as one must consider the implications of saving water, money, and energy depending on the type of sprinkler head to install. Of the big three that we’ll discuss today, they all have differing functions. At Sprinkler Master Repair, we’re dedicated to helping you know all you need when it comes to picking and choosing the perfect sprinkler head for your lawn.

Get in touch with any of our Sprinkler Master Repair locations to learn more and schedule an appointment about installing or repairing your sprinkler heads, at Colorado Springs, Fresno, Reno, Boise, Lincoln, and all our areas in Utah, including — Logan, Utah County, Salt Lake City, Davis County, West Jordan/Sandy, and Weber County. No matter where you are, Sprinkler Master Repair is here to serve you and your sprinkler needs!

Overview of Sprinkler Heads

There are three main styles of sprinkler heads. They all have different functions, but they all serve the same purpose of spraying water from the sprinkler lines and out to the lawn. Sprinkler heads are positioned around the yard to provide full coverage of the lawn and flower beds. They are designed to retract to sit at or slightly below ground level when not in operation. When the head is activated, water pressure causes the head to pop up and efficiently spray water to use less water and save more time than by dragging the hose around your yard. Though there is a cost with installing a sprinkler system, you’ll save more time and money in the long run with Sprinkler Master Repair!

Click here to watch an overview of the types of sprinkler heads.

Common Types of Sprinkler Head:

In the expertise of Sprinkler Master Repair, there are three main types of sprinkler heads to look out for. As explained above, they all serve a separate but equal function in getting your lawn watered and promoting healthy grass-growth. The most common types of sprinkler head are:

1. Pop-Up Sprinkler Heads

2. Gear-Driven Rotor Sprinkler Heads

3. Impact Rotor Sprinkler Heads

Pop-Up Sprinkler Heads

Pop-Up Sprinkler Heads spray in a fan pattern and are generally used for smaller areas like park strips. They come in various heights, with most new sprinkler systems using all 4” sprinklers. Taller sprinkler heads are used for ground cover, gardens, and shrubs.

Some additional facts and figures about the Pop-up Sprinkler Head:

• Pop-up spray nozzles are a separate part of the sprinkler body.
• They are screwed on the top of the sprinkler riser and spray between 3-18’ depending on the head you choose.
• Pop-up sprinkler heads have various spray patterns, such as a full circle, half-circle, or a quarter circle, square, rectangle, etc.
• There are also separate variable arc nozzles that have an adjustable spray from 0-360 degrees.

Gear-Driven Rotor Sprinkler Heads

Gear-Driven Rotors are very common in medium-to-large scale sprinkler systems. These rotors are more water-efficient and quiet, but typically require more maintenance than the Impact Rotors. These are commonly used in large residential areas to get the most bang for your buck.

Gear-driven rotors come with nozzle trees, similar to this, with many different nozzles to choose from. The nozzles range from 1.5 to 8 gallons per minute (GPM) and typically have standard angle spray or low angle spray.

The Gear-Driven Rotors’ spray distance ranges from 18 to 55 feet with an arc range from 40 to 360 degrees.

Impact Rotor Sprinkler Heads

Impact Rotors are similar to Gear-Driven Rotors in distance and arc ranges. They have a simple design and work well in areas where irrigation water is used in the sprinkler system. These rotors require less maintenance because they can take on dirty water without breaking.

One downfall of the Impact Rotors is that they tend to be noisier than the other types of sprinkler heads. They are also more expensive because they are often made out of higher-cost materials such as brass. Due to that cost, however, they are guaranteed to last longer than their plastic counterparts.

Conclusion

Once more, the three types of sprinkler heads discussed above are simply just the most common. By getting in touch with any Sprinkler Master Repair location, we can help you learn more, install, or repair your sprinkler heads using quality parts and service at an affordable price. We only install the best and repair the rest at every job!

Click here to get in contact with the nearest Sprinkler Master Repair location to you, today!

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Understanding Sprinkler Wires with Sprinkler Master Repair

Sprinklers can be confusing if you’re unsure what you’re dealing with. That’s why at Sprinkler Master Repair, we’re here to help you know all you need when dealing with your sprinkler wiring. Across all of our franchise locations, including Colorado Springs, Fresno, Reno, Boise, Lincoln, and all in Utah — with Logan, Utah County, Salt Lake City, Davis County, West Jordan/Sandy, and Weber County, we offer the best parts, service, and work at an affordable price!

To best help you on the journey of understanding sprinkler wires, we’ll be breaking things down by purpose, parts, pros and cons, common problems, and other factors. We’re doing what we can to ensure that you know what to do with your sprinkler wires. If you do need any additional help of any kind, however, be sure to check out this link to get in touch with your local Sprinkler Master Repair location today!

ITS PURPOSE

The purpose of the sprinkler wire is to deliver electricity from the timer to the automatic valves, which allows the valves to open. Every valve has a solenoid with two wires; one common wire, and one zone wire. The common wire is usually white but can be any color as long as it’s hooked to the common slot in the sprinkler timer. It’s important for the common wire to be connected to every zone.

On the contrary, the zone wire is any wire that’s hooked up to the specific zone. These are usually different colors. The two wires are connected to either end of the solenoid wiring but never connected together and run underground to the sprinkler timer. Each zone wire is hooked to a separate zone slot on the sprinkler timer. If two zone wires are connected together at any point, they will both turn on at the same time. However, if a common wire is connected to a zone where the sprinkler timer is, it will fail.

Check out this video to learn more about sprinkler wires.

Names of Parts

Sprinkler wire is generally one wire bundle with many strands of smaller 18-gauge wire inside it.

• Wire Strands: These strands usually come in 3 to 8 wires but can go up to 12 or more. You will always need one extra wire in the bundle than the number of valves. For example, if you have four valves you will need a minimum of five strands of wire, with the fifth wire being the common wire. When running new wire, try to have more than the minimum. If wires break, it makes it easier to fix or add zones with the provided, extra wire.
• Wire Nuts: These are used to connect the solenoid and wire from the timer.
• Sprinkler Nodes: These are small sprinkler timer that fits in a valve box.
• Wire Strippers: These are used to cut and strip the wire coating off.
• Wire Testers: The cheap way is to get three, 9-volt batteries and put them together. You can then use them to open the solenoid or test of the wire is broken. They also make a tool that sends out a signal in a pulse to turn on valves and can help find broken wires too.
• Multimeter Tool: This tests the voltage and resistance to tell if you have power. Volts need to be between 24-28. You can also use this to check for resistance. Usually, there needs to be between 20-60 ohms to know the solenoid and wire are both good.

Pros and Cons

• Wires can be run a very long distance, but the longer they are, the easier they become to be cut by shovels or other objects.
• It’s hard to determine where they are broken since they run underground.
• They can become brittle, burnt, or exposed over time much like other wiring units.
• One pro is that they do allow you to have a sprinkler timer run the sprinkler, making it generally easier to water the lawn.

Common Problems with Sprinkler Wires

One of the most common problems in any sprinkler system is a valve not turning on. Most often that is caused by electrical problems. There can only be 3 sources to an electrical problem — a bad wire, timer, or solenoid. You can start diagnosing either at the timer or the solenoid.

Your best tool for diagnosing is the multimeter. When using the multimeter to test a sprinkler system, the red probe will be for the valve wire, while the black wire is for the common wire. Turn the center knob to the correct setting and the probes will connect.

Conclusion

Sprinkler wiring may be a bit difficult to understand at first, but by calling any of our Sprinkler Master Repair locations through clicking this link, you’ll be able to get everything set up, or fixed, in no time at all! At every Sprinkler Master Repair location, we install the best and repair the rest!

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