HELP & FAQ'S

An irrigation system is an automated sprinkler system for your landscape. An effective irrigation system will save you time, money, and water and give you control over when and how you water your landscapes. 

There are two main types of landscape irrigation: sprinkler systems and drip/micro irrigation. Typically, sprinklers are for large, uniform areas such as lawns, while drip/micro irrigation are for small, odd-shaped areas with non-uniform plantings such as garden beds. 

Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the base of plants through a network of tubes, pipes, and emitters, minimizing water waste.

While both drip and micro sprays are forms of micro irrigation – localized, low volume forms of irrigation –they do differ. Drip irrigation uses dripline or point-source emitters (drippers) to irrigate directly to the base of the plant while micro sprays spray water on an area. Both drip and micro sprays should be regulated to lower pressures (30 PSI is a good benchmark) and filtered because of their small orifices. Driplines and micro sprays have different precipitation rates (put out different amounts of water)
and should therefore be on separate zones.  

Backflow preventers are required by almost all municipalities and building codes in Canada. These requirements may vary in type of backflow prevention. You should consult your local bylaws and building codes. The Capital Regional District (CRD) requires that irrigation systems have a Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA) – a type of testable backflow preventer. Backflow preventers stop any contaminants that may breach your irrigation systems, such as fertilizers, from flowing back into the main water supply from your irrigation system. 

The valves of an irrigation system get their power from the timer/controller that controls them. There are two main types of controllers: AC (wall plugin) and DC (Battery Operated). Typically, an AC controller would be mounted on a house, in a garage, or on a shed and be plugged into an outlet. Wires are run from the controller to the valves in the yard which gives them power and tells them when to operate. A DC controller goes directly in the valve box with the valves and is powered by batteries, saving you from running wire from the controller location to the valves to power them. To use a DC controller, you need to have DC solenoids on your valves. DC controllers are typically only used in areas where it is difficult to run power to or in temporary systems. AC controllers are considered more permanent, longer lasting, and have more options such as number of zones, Wi-Fi operation with smart watering, intricate programming etc.  

Smart irrigation systems use technology and data from the internet, such as local weather stations and evapotranspiration rates, to optimize water usage based on factors like weather, soil moisture, soil type and plant type to promote efficient watering.  

Factors like plant types, soil, and climate influences water requirements. Consult plant-specific guidelines for accurate irrigation planning.

The use of weather sensors and adjusting irrigation schedules seasonally can help against underwatering or overwatering plants. Alternatively, using controllers with smart watering capabilities can automatically adjust your irrigation schedules based on weather and help water efficiently.  

Regular inspections, cleaning filters, checking for leaks, general functionality, and winterizing the system in the fall, are some of the maintenance essentials.

Some eco-friendly irrigation practices include: 

• Using controllers with smart watering capabilities. 
• Using pressure regulated spray heads. 
• Using drip line where possible. 
• Using heads with check valves to prevent low head drainage. 

DIY installation is possible for most systems, but consulting with a professional ensures proper design, installation, and functionality.  

It is best to water in the early morning when it is cooler. Less water will evaporate in the cooler morning than in the heat and light of day. This will give the water more opportunity to fully absorb into the soil and reach the roots.  

To clean an irrigation filter, first, turn off the water supply. Remove the filter housing – which is normally done by unscrewing the large part of the filter body that is not attached to the piping. You can then pull out the filter and clean it under running water, using a soft brush or toothbrush if necessary. 

Drip irrigation is considered more efficient than sprays for a couple reasons. First, drip systems deliver water directly to the base of the plant, minimizing evaporation and water waste due to wind. Second, drip irrigation provides slow, targeted flow, allowing the soil to absorb water gradually, preventing runoff.  

We completely get it, we change our minds too! While we wish we could, once an order is placed, we are unable to alter or cancel it at this time. We hope to have a cancellation window one day in the future.

Should the item(s) not work out, make sure to exchange for a preferred style or return for a refund. See our return policy and shipping policy for details.

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Standard shipping normally takes 3-5 days. Next day shipping is available on all domestic orders (for an additional charge). Check out our shipping policy for more details.

Items must be returned within 30 days after receiving your order. Items must be returned in the same condition in which they were received, be unused, and include all the original packaging. Online order returns must also be accompanied by a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) form. Check out our return policy for more details. Fill out RMA form online.

Refunds are processed within 7 days from when we receive the item(s).