Irrigation question. When my system runs for more then 4 min. i get flooding & run off down the street.?

Question

But if i turn it off after 4 min. the next morning the soil is bone dry. the water only soaked in about an inch. How can I get my soil to soak and not runn off?

Answer 1

Okay, here is our plan... first we re program your controller. Unless you have a 10 year old junk heap your clock has at least a min of 4 start times programed into it. set the first run for 3 minutes. set run 2 to start 90 minutes later & for 3 minutes. Run 3 to start 90 minutes later again for 3 minutes. Run 4 60 minutes later for 4 minutes. That should get a start on some percolation so your roots get a drink. Meanwhile, exchange you sprinkler heads for Hunter or Hardie brand low flow adjustable heads. (about $1.50 each at any good landscape / irrigation supply company. you won't find them at the depot type home centers)
Continue the timing we set for at least several days or until you install the new low flow heads.
I'll bet you that your current heads are puttin out at least 6 gal per minute each (standard flow for homeowner grade sprinklers like rainbird, etc). the new low flow ag grade heads will be putting out about 2.5 gal per minute.
you do the math. 10 heads@ 6 gal per min = 60 gal per min.
10 heads @ 2.5 gal per min = 25 gal per min.
longer run times, much less flow.
SLOW & DEEP. SLOW & DEEP. SLOW & DEEP! just keep that in mind.
E-mail me via answers & give me details of your auto system & clock. I'll draw you up a quick irrigation design plan & a list of stuff to pick up. we'll have you up & running in a few days with no run off or water waste.

Answer 2

Why do you run off down the street?? Is the flooding that bad??

Sooo sorry, that one was just too tempting.

Sorry again, I'm normally very serious about this...

On a serious level, it does sound like you need to turn the soil a bit, the water isn't reaching the roots of the plants because the soil is too hard and dry.

Answer 3

Have you looked for leaks in the underground piping system? Sometimes it is possible for the piping near a sprinkler head to crack due to some kind of force (such as someone stepping on it) pushing the head down.

Has there been any kind of digging activity in your yard and maybe a flower bed? We recently added some new sidewalks, one of the workers hit the underground piping system and left a crack.

Answer 4

The reason you run off is because your soil is hard packed dirt. Try tealing the soil up or aereating it. This could solve your problem.

Answer 5

spike the ground it may help water to soak in