More irrigation breaks during periods of no usage Cancel The title field is required!

1. Michael Rogers

   

   2 posts
   
   11/23/2015 4:11 AM

   Hi,
   
   We still have PVC in more than half of our irrigation system. I seem to notice more irrigation breaks during periods of inactivity. We go a week or 10 days sometimes with no irrigation. I was wondering if any of you have noted this and have thought to run a couple of minutes now and then to keep the lines more flexible?
   
   System is at about 9.25 bars or 135 psi.
   
   Does this make any sense?
   
   Thanks Michael
   
   Michael Rogers
   Marbella Golf CC

   
   
   
   
2. Andrew Cross

   

   5 posts
   
   11/23/2015 1:11 PM

   That pressure seems a bit high, we run 120psi and we are on the high side for our area. What kind of breaks are we talking (blow outs or pin hole leaks at bell ends)? We have been plagues with pin hole leaks in a section of our course all on 2 1/2" glued bells (solvent welded). We notice the leaks more when we aren't watering since there is ample moisture in ground that leaks saturate areas more quickly and puddle. When we are super dry you may not notice the leak as the ground and plants are utilizing the moisture more readily. Make sense? I've never thought the pipe would be more brittle from not being used for a week or so.

   
   
   
   
3. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   11/23/2015 2:11 PM

   That seems high also. Ours is at 105 psi.

   
   
   
   
4. John Faber

   

   0 posts
   
   11/24/2015 2:11 PM

   This is a great post as we experience the exact same thing during our rainy month (typically June) and then late August when we don't need to water as frequently. Irrigation leaks spike, typically pin holes in glue joints also on 2.5" pipe but also the 2" and 3".
   Is it possible the saturated soil is more "flexible" causing the pipe to shift under ground even marginally and cause the pin holes?

   
   
   
   
5. Michael Posey

   

   0 posts
   
   11/24/2015 6:11 PM

   Pin holes are a sign of failure due to cyclic stress over time. How soon the pipe/fitting fails is a result of the frequency and range of the cycles. Pipes have the greatest psi when water is stationary, so several days of no use puts strain on these areas damaged by cyclic stress.

   
   
   
   
6. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   11/25/2015 8:11 AM

   We noticed a couple of small leaks yesterday after many days of no use. We seem to remember something in the same location last year on one hole. It was so late in the season, we shut down and figured we would fix in the spring. Started up and no leak, we kind of wonder if it is in a gasket bell?
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
7. Michael Hummel

   

   0 posts
   
   11/25/2015 8:11 AM

   I agree with Andy the pressure is a bit high... 120 psi or less depending on the pipe sizing.. I would consider adjusting the set point if you have a clay valve or adjust the maintenance pump if you have a newer system... as well as the ramping up of your main pumps...Also some re programming of your computer might be considered...

   
   
   
   
8. David Brandenburg

   

   3 posts
   
   11/26/2015 9:11 AM

   Pressure at the pumphouse depends on elevation on the course. We have seen a lot less leaks by keeping the pressure at 80 and then the pressure elevates depending on the water use peaking at 120.
   
   I have it set at 80 for water use up to 100gpm, so if I am going to be watering just a few heads I swing past the pumphouse and change it from varied pressure to a static pressure until I am done.