This issue of LCM marks the start of our brand spankin' new column Irrigation Talk. In the coming months, we'll be dealing with practical irrigation topics in this space, and hearing what the experts have to say about them.

To kick things off, we asked 6 irrigation manufacturers about the most common problems contractors encounter when installing their products, and how to avoid these problems. The results, as you'll see, were illuminating to say the least.

If you have an idea for an Irrigation Talk topic, e-mail it to jfultz@landscapearchitect.com. We welcome your input.

Now, on to the experts...

Bill Hutcheon

Antelco Corporation

Product line: "Antelco manufactures a complete line of low volume irrigation products that includes drippers, sprays, sprinklers, fittings, filters and valves."

Most common installation mistake made by contractors:

"Many installers are unaware of how drip irrigation works and the requirements of filtration, pressure regulation and maintenance."

How contractors can avoid it:

"Use filters, pressure regulators, take apart drippers and flush the system before installing the heads. It is very economical and beneficial when installed correctly."

George Cook

Hit Products Corporation

"It is imperative to know before you start a job what water source characteristics are for that site. The best design and the best irrigation equipment will never make up for an irrigation installation designed for a 75 psi working pressure and a 30 gpm flow, when you're actually starting with 60 psi and a flow of 20 gpm." — George Cook, Hit Products Corp. Pictured: Installing a Hit Products Logic 2 wire receiver using a Hit DBC waterproof wire connector in a valve box with a 2-inch straight flow valve.

Product line: "Hit Products' main line of irrigation products consists of a complete line of pop-up sprayheads, threaded nozzles, electric remote control valves, lawn and garden/residential type 6-station, 9-station and 12-station indoor and outdoor controllers, the most user-friendly two-wire controller in the industry, plus a variety of accessories."

Most common installation mistake made by contractors:

"The most common mistake made in the installation of the Hit Products sprinklers, valves and controllers [involves] the contractor's knowledge of the specific water source at that specific job site. The best design and the best irrigation equipment will never make up for an irrigation installation designed for a 75 psi working pressure and a 30 gpm flow when you're actually starting with 60 psi and a flow of 20 gpm.

"It is imperative to know before you start a job what the following water source characteristics are for that site:

- Volume/Gallons per Minute (GPM) of water available from your water source at that specific point of connection.

- The true operating pressure at the maximum rate of flow you are going to be operating. Do not confuse this with static pressure when there is no flow, or less flow than the maximum flow rate of the system when completed.

- Designing the proper size for the length of actual wire run from the controller to the valve(s) and making proper waterproof wire splices at the valve."

How contractors can avoid it:

"I suggest to always re-confirm the job's water flow and pressure characteristics first thing upon arrival at a new job site. For all the blood, sweat and tears put into installing a well-designed professional irrigation system, a reconfirmation of the system's actual water characteristics can mean the difference between success and a ton of frustration!"

Dave Cummings

Irritrol

"The most common mistake is [made while] programming our controllers. We make some of the easiest controllers to program so most contractors don't even pick up the owner's manual to program these timers. We also have made the Raindial and the Total Control for so many years they assume that nothing has changed. Because of the new features they program slightly differently, which in turn can cause some mistakes. " -- Dave Cummings, Irritrol

Product line: "Irritrol Systems is now the new version of the old Hardie Irrigation company. This company was built on and has always been noticed as a controller and valve company. It was started as a residential product line that has grown to be a complete line manufacturer with a product for every application, from the smallest residence to the largest commercial site."

Most common installation mistake made by contractors:

"The most common mistake is [made while] programming our controllers. We make some of the easiest controllers to program so most contractors don't even pick up the owner's manual to program these timers. We also have made the Raindial and the Total Control for so many years they assume that nothing has changed.

"We recently added upgraded versions of these controllers with new added features. Because of the new features they program slightly differently, which in turn can cause some mistakes. They are so comfortable that they don't even read the manual and therefore don't program it right or don't use all of the available features."

How contractors can avoid it:

"There is no easy answer. If you make a controller that requires at lot of reading then the contractor will not like it -- his concern is that the customer might not be able to understand it. We have a lot of senior citizens and baby boomers that want precision (high tech) and simplified equipment to use.

"The answer is a controller that guides you through the programming. But with the current controllers it would be stickers or labels with reference to the features that the controller offers."

Dale Hansen

L.R. Nelson Corporation

Product line: "We manufacture all kinds of products to irrigate the smallest residential property [on up to] the largest commercial property. Our Landscape & Turf Division makes a full line of controllers (both battery-operated on valve and standard electric units), valves and sprinklers for professionally installed residential/commercial applications. Our product design focus is on serviceability. Realizing that anything mechanical will fail at some point, our goal is to make products that are easy to service."

Most common installation mistake made by contractors:

"They don't take advantage of all the time-saving features built into ourproducts."

How contractors can avoid it:

"Take a minute and let your distributor explain the features. Anotheroption would be to get on our web site at www.LRNelson.com. If all else fails, call us at 1-888-Nelson8 and one of our sales managers will explain all the labor-saving features built into all of our Turf products."

Jim H. Harryman

Maxray Irrigation Products

Product line: "Our DroughtMaster line of controllers consists of two single-zone models, three AC-powered multi-zone models, and three solar-powered multi-zone models."

Most common installation mistake made by contractors:

"The three most common problems that occur during or soon after installation [are]:

1) Incorrect orientation of solar panel resulting in low battery voltage, which causes erratic valve operation. The most common error has been placing the panel in a location that was shaded by a tree or a tall structure during midday sun and not in the morning or afternoon.

2) Incorrect orientation/location of moisture sensor resulting in under- or overwatering. If the sensor is positioned on its side, with the surfaces not vertical, the watering and drying cycles will be lengthened resulting in poor moisture control. If the sensor is placed too close to the surface, the deeper root areas will not reach proper moisture levels. If placed too deep, the plant will be overwatered without adequate oxygen.

3) Incorrect valve control due to the flooding of valve boxes and inadequate moisture."

How contractors can avoid it:

"The solutions [are]:

1) The solar panel is small (5" by 5") but will deliver 180 milliamps at 7.2 volts when properly positioned facing south at an angle of 57 degrees in full sunlight. The battery requires three hours of power from the panel during summer irrigation days and much less during winter.

2) To function correctly, the sensor must be placed 2/3 of plant root depth with the monitoring surfaces vertical. Vertical positioning allows equal moisture content on both surfaces.

3) Locate valve boxes out of the landscape area and use moisture-tolerant wiring devices."

Patricia Thompson

Rain Bird

Product line: "[Our] full line of products includes rotors, spray heads, valves, controllers, accessories and Xerigation® drip irrigation equipment. Rain Bird has developed several unique products to manage water more efficiently. These products include the 1800-SAM-PRS spray head, the Rain Curtain rotor nozzles and the Maxicom Central Control System."

Most common installation mistake made by contractors:

"We see a lot of contractors installing our products without flushing main and lateral lines prior to installation."

How contractors can avoid it:

"Flush the dirt and debris out of the lines prior to installing irrigation equipment. The flushing process clears out dirt and debris that gets into the lines while the pipe is being lain.

"To flush an irrigation system mainline, assemble all mainline components, except control valves, and then turn the water. Let it run until the water flows clean. Once the water runs clean, turn it off and install the control valves.

"To flush the zones and laterals, assemble the piping system, leaving sprinklers off the ends of any lateral line. Turn the water on and let it run until the water flows clean. Turn it off and install the remaining sprinkler heads."