[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Hape2Bhr

Wonder how the OP made out?

I was thinking the same thing, I hope they reply on what they found.

[Ozzello]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I understand that you need the filter to adjust the throw distance, but I have never seen any technician actually adjust the throw distance. They just use another nozzle. I have had technicians tell me that they routinely discard the filters because it reduces clogs and maintenance calls. Personally, I never clean a filter, I just throw them away. To me, the only purpose the filter has is to protect a nozzle that you can buy for less than 2 dollars. I understand that this may not apply to rotating sprinkler heads, which I don't have.

Guess I am old school. I clean the filters, clean spray heads, adjust heads, BEFORE replacing parts. But I am not chasing sales to boost my income, as most techs are.
I am chasing the best landscape I can give each homeowner.
I have heard too many "techs" and "landscape designers" laugh about "Job security" after I point out that what they are doing (or teaching employees to do) isn't the best for the homeowner... than I can count.
Very sad how greed has become a forgivable sin in today's society.

Not many homes in TV have a properly adjusted shrub spray system. Most are watering walls, sidewalks at the entry etc.
A GOOD tech will utilize the adjustments as needed.
The increments ALL irrigation heads come in, leave a lot in between. And except for the cheapest "spot spitter", they are ALL adjustable (well except the spray heads someone stole the filter out of) for a reason.

A lazy or greedy tech will set you up for replacing more spray heads in the future because more will clog after the filter is gone, and that is sales. But most homeowners think a tech knows his (or her) stuff, because the tech knows how to set a timer, or was from a big 5 company that takes care of everyone's lawn, and they trust them.

I don't care if 1,000 techs, (and 10 guys working at Ace hardware) told you to not use the filter in a spray head, it lessens the value of the head, shortens the life of the head... and is IRRITATING to the honest and educated tech that attempts to adjust the head to properly tune the system.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Ozzello

I don't care if 1,000 techs, (and 10 guys working at Ace hardware) told you to not use the filter in a spray head, it lessens the value of the head, shortens the life of the head... and is IRRITATING to the honest and educated tech that attempts to adjust the head to properly tune the system.

Right, most people think, well I'll just replace the head when it goes bad but in reality once they remove the filter, they find they are replacing a lot of heads over time that they would not have had to do.

I think a main irrigation filter is the answer. Since I've installed one years ago, never had any problems with the spray heads. Especially the small ones spraying my flower bed. I make a couple of adjustments periodically if I see something not right but that's about it.

[Ozzello]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I understand that you need the filter to adjust the throw distance, but I have never seen any technician actually adjust the throw distance. They just use another nozzle. I have had technicians tell me that they routinely discard the filters because it reduces clogs and maintenance calls. Personally, I never clean a filter, I just throw them away. To me, the only purpose the filter has is to protect a nozzle that you can buy for less than 2 dollars. I understand that this may not apply to rotating sprinkler heads, which I don't have.

Originally Posted by jrref

Right, most people think, well I'll just replace the head when it goes bad but in reality once they remove the filter, they find they are replacing a lot of heads over time that they would not have had to do.

I think a main irrigation filter is the answer. Since I've installed one years ago, never had any problems with the spray heads. Especially the small ones spraying my flower bed. I make a couple of adjustments periodically if I see something not right but that's about it.

I like a filter in the line. Before the valves or after the valves? Both? They do require maint. of course, but most of what I find clogging heads is either a bit of pipe glue that finally came loose from the install or work, crap that got in the pipe when someone else worked on it and didn't flush lines at all, lots of stuff that is actually growing in the lines themselves. Even parts of valves that are wearing. Nothing stops us from needing to do occasional maintenance, and just good ol' walk arounds looking at every head on every zone.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by jrref

Right, most people think, well I'll just replace the head when it goes bad but in reality once they remove the filter, they find they are replacing a lot of heads over time that they would not have had to do.

...

What is "a lot of heads" and over what time? I'm at eight years and I think I've replaced three heads. Even then, one was hit by a mower so a filter would not have helped at all.

I can't emphasize enough: YMMV. Those who irrigate with potable water likely have fewer problems. I have irrigation water that must be pretty clean. A lot of the problems mentioned in other threads were from those south of 44.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

What is "a lot of heads" and over what time? I'm at eight years and I think I've replaced three heads. Even then, one was hit by a mower so a filter would not have helped at all.

I can't emphasize enough: YMMV. Those who irrigate with potable water likely have fewer problems. I have irrigation water that must be pretty clean. A lot of the problems mentioned in other threads were from those south of 44.

You are in a minority. Typically the non-potable water is full of sediment when the ponds are low and we don't have a lot of rain. For those who use potable water I wouldn't expect any problems.

Since I've installed an in-line irrigation filter, in the past 4 years since I've lived here I haven't had to replace any filters, zero and when I check the spray head filters are clean. But I'm always sad watching my neighbors who don't want to spend the money installing an in-line filter but spend money having an Irrigation company come and replace spray heads every single year.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Ozzello

I like a filter in the line. Before the valves or after the valves? Both? They do require maint. of course, but most of what I find clogging heads is either a bit of pipe glue that finally came loose from the install or work, crap that got in the pipe when someone else worked on it and didn't flush lines at all, lots of stuff that is actually growing in the lines themselves. Even parts of valves that are wearing. Nothing stops us from needing to do occasional maintenance, and just good ol' walk arounds looking at every head on every zone.

The irrigation filter I was referring to goes in-line before the valve box. Depending on your non-potable irrigation water you typically have to clean the one in-line filter once a month.

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