Irrigation In-line Filter System
 

I had a lawn care service come out and assess my badly damaged lawn. There were a number of issues that caused this damage. One remedy was to install the inline filter system for my irrigation. I thought it could be a good idea of keeping the sprinkler heads clean.
I haven’t heard much about this system, and just wondering if anyone has this unit, and whether they would recommend it.

Some areas in The Villages have dirty irrigation water that needs to be filtered, but most areas do not. I would check with your neighbors to see if others have an in-line filter. If not, you probably don't need one either.

When I have a sprinkler head that gets clogged, I remove the plastic filter inside the head and throw it away. Some people will clean it, but, in my opinion, the plastic filter really does not serve a useful purpose. I have had irrigation technicians tell me the same thing.

Call:
Chuck Grospitch
chuck.grospitch@gmail.com
440-823-4273

He's the expert on this topic.

I plan to install a filter. A filter of the same size (or tighter) than the individual screens eliminates the need to remove and clean them one at a time. Sounds good to me.

I do irrigation repair. I have a filter on mine and it works great. If you need assistance just let me know. Thanks

I don’t have the inline filter but I had thought about getting one. Our system is a new build in the Hammock at Fenney.

When I checked the filters earlier this year (after about 2 yrs in service) they were pretty bad. So I cleaned them all and reinstalled.

Your post prompted me into checking my “heads/filters”just now.

As you can see from the attached photo (8 months after the initial clean) they do have some “muck” on them, but nothing gritty or sandy that would prevent water flow.

So with that said, I personally don’t feel that I need one.

Will it hurt to get one, probably not. Your situation might be different. I’d recommend cleaning yours, reinstalling them, and then checking them in a few months. If you have a lot of gritty stuff in them, then get a filter.

An inline filter is essential in Citrus Grove . You won't believe how much green scum it captures before it makes its way to the individual heads.
Make sure you understand exactly where and in what orientation they are going to install it. Mine is paralell to and fairly tight to the house. I have seen some installed in a less eye friendly manner.

Works well for me south of Warm Springs. Captures a lot of algae at times. Haven't seen a clogged sprinkler head in months.

Chuck did a nice job installing.

I installed an inline filter at our home, and had one at our previous home as well. The irrigation water used down here south of SR-44 is filthy, and prior to having the inline filter I found myself cleaning the individual filters at each sprinkler head every couple of months. With the inline filter, cleaning the individual heads is reduced dramatically. Cleaning the inline filter is easy, and takes all of about 10 minutes.

One additional thing: most inline irrigation filters come with a clear plastic filter canister. Left uncovered, the canister will grow algae inside very quickly...i.e., it will turn green within a matter of days due to exposure to sunlight. The cure for that is to cover the canister with something opaque to block the sunlight. Vu-Flow, the manufacturer of my filter, has a black neoprene sleeve available that covers the canister, and keeps it sparkling clear.

If you have the standard Hunter nozzles on your irrigation system, you can buy these for one dollar each from sprinklerwarehouse.com. Spending time to remove and clean the plastic filters that snap onto the bottom of these nozzles is a waste of time. The filters will just restrict water flow through the nozzle. If you remove the filters you will get better water flow, and if a nozzle breaks, you can just screw a new one on.

The filter is worth it as an easier way to keep water clean, instead of cleaning 20+ little filters.
When is it worth it? When the retention ponds get really low, the silt/stuff gets picked up more easily by the pumps.

Chuck Grospitch did ours

Sure...that will work, until it doesn't. You will probably be OK running the fan-type heads without a filter. But, the rotor heads are another story. Those rotators have many moving parts inside, and accumulating silt and sludge will eventually cause them to stop rotating. The rotor heads are not really user serviceable, and when they quit working they must be replaced to the tune of about eight bucks apiece. I have over 40 of those rotor heads on my lot, and it is much easier to run an inline filter to keep 'em clean.

Clean Frequently
 

My irrigation company rep said that the inline filters must be cleaned regularly - maybe as often as weekly. The inline filter does work - just understand the maintenance needed.

Advice,
 

I have never cleaned my sprinkler filters. I didn’t see anything on YouTube. Is there info on how to do that.

Seems exaggerated