Full Product Manual

Table Of Contents
Page 74 Chapter 10
12. Layout XT-700 poly drip tubing or Landscape Dripline using fittings as
needed. Warm the tubing in the sun before installing to make it more flexible.
Don’t pull tubing too tight; allow for expansion and contraction due to
changing weather conditions.
13. Flush the line to remove debris.
14. Attach emission devices.
15. Staple XT-700 poly drip tubing or Landscape Dripline to grade.
16. Finish grade.
17. Plant ground cover.
18. Operate system for approximately two weeks, checking for correct operation
of all emission devices.
19. Flush system to remove any debris.
20. Mulch to cover system components and conserve water.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
There is a common misconception that low-volume irrigation systems require far
more maintenance than conventional irrigation systems. In fact, the conventional
systems also require substantial maintenance to keep them operating optimally.
However, conventional systems tend to be more “forgiving” of poor maintenance
practices. Since the entire area is being irrigated, it is more likely that individual
plants will be able to survive a poorly adjusted system.
In low-volume irrigation, each plant receives only as much water as it actually
requires. As a result, a clogged emitter or similar problem can cause extreme
stress to the plant that relies on that emitter for its water needs.
While the amount of maintenance for a low-volume system will not differ much
from conventional systems, the type of maintenance will. In a conventional
system, regular site reviews and system checks can determine problem areas
fairly easily, but once a problem is found, it may be quite difficult to repair.
In a low-volume system, maintenance is more detail-oriented. Filters must be
cleaned on a regular basis, depending on the water source being used. Site
reviews require close scrutiny for signs of plant stress caused by a clogged
emitter. However, once a problem is found, it can generally be fixed on the spot.
Table 10-1 outlines the recommended maintenance for low-volume systems.
Table 10-2 includes a list of common system problems and their typical causes
and solutions.
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