I agree that, if you have a problem with clogged sprinkler heads, it is a good idea to install a filter for the entire system. But, I have never had a problem with clogged heads. Occasionally, a sprinkler head will break or become misaligned, but almost never clogged with sand, debris, or algae. Maybe clogging occurs in some areas of The Villages.

Now that is interesting, had no idea there would be such a difference in the soil between villages ! We live closer to Lake Sumter area and the filters in the heads always need cleaning a couple times a year. We've even found small "stones", larger than the usual sand that clogs them. You are so lucky in Pennycamp believe me. Is your system a Hunter ? Maybe the villages are putting in systems now that don't get so clogged with sand and such ?

Thank you ! We were going to follow the advice on here and just remove all the filters.... due to your post, we tried just one (we've been doing all the routine spring yard work) and you are so right, NOT going to be good to remove them, so back to just keeping them CLEAN of the sand and grit. Maybe the person who has removed them successfully has a different brand, not the Hunter heads we have with the small screws on top ?

Personally I'd say don't worry about it, if your lawn looks fine, they are working fine...LOL ! But yes, we've found ours ARE working, but after we do the routine maintenance each spring and fall, cleaning the little filters (Hunter system), we definitely see an improvement !

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Yes, that's always seemed "crazy" (unless maybe a municipality is greedy, LOL) to charge extra "sewer" tax for water that does not use the "sewer system". We've had that in several states where we've lived. Probably too costly to the municipality to install a separate meter of course. Actually it's a pretty cleaver scheme for additional revenue, I remember many years ago when the community where we lived at the time was running low on things that could be taxed (this was in Illinois), and came up with a "flush" tax, tax the water on both ends, into the house and then when it leaves ! Ingenious !

Big thank you. We didn't find the cleaning to be overly taxing, a little vinegar soak, and yes, as you said, a toothbrush. Usually didn't replace them with new ones unless un-saveable. The price of a packet of 4 was no where near $.20 cents each, so thanks for the tip... going to order a quantity !

Note that the small screw on top of the nozzle can be used to increase or decrease the radius or "throw" of the water stream. However, these screws are rarely used by sprinkler technicians because there are many different color-coded nozzles that produce different throw distances. Here is a Hunter video that demonstrates the use of the adjustment screw.

Sprays - Adjusting the Radius on Spray Nozzles | Hunter Industries

Up north the municipality would assess the sewer rate from the usage in the quarter in the winter so their was no irrigation factor. January thru March water meter set the yearly rate for the sewer. Florida is different.

This is all so eye opening, had no idea of the differences in systems and the conditions if the different villages ! We have to use the little "key" to adjust the spray screw often. Never have used a screw driver, always use the little "key" that comes with most (and many people keep inside the control box). Our neighbor's hire people to clean and adjust theirs (it runs quite a bit if you are thinking about not doing your own) but the people doing theirs used the same type of little "key" we use to adjust ours... they did not use a screwdriver either.

Another thanks ! Very helpful ! !

Would you please post a photo of what Chuck installed? I'd like to see what they look like. I assume it is above ground. How will it be protected from freezing in the winter?

q11

Shut the water off, cycle the valves to drain.

I would point that the hose bibb (or spigot) is illegal because that is not potable water. I would highly recommend that you either remove it or disable it. If a person or an animal drinks water from that spigot and gets sick, you could be facing a huge lawsuit. Also, the color of the piping should be purple, not white.

You make some great points. I haven't seen purple piping in the big box stores. Have I missed it or do you get it somewhere else?

They may not stock it in the stores, but Lowes, Home Depot, and Amazon all carry it.

Do you know the size? And is it rigid or flexible?

It looks like they have one-half inch and three-quarter inch flexible piping for reclaimed water. They also have furniture grade rigid pipe in various sizes.

I don't believe there is any regulation that says you need to use the purple pipe except to identify buried lines. But a large pipe lable saying it's non-pottable water should probably be installed.

The question is was this filter clogged when we had an abundance of water or just since the drought...the holding ponds are empty...soon we will be like other counties in Florida if we don't get rain...no watering at all and then all your filters will stay clean...
Altamonte Springs officials continue to be the most aggressive about enforcing watering rules. Since late January, the city has issued more than 2,500 citations totaling more than $41,000 in fines, said John Peters, public works director.

That may not be sufficient. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection Regulations require that,

"Reclaimed water hose bibs to be located in locked compartments and clearly labeled as being of non-potable quality with language written in English and Spanish. The security devices must in place at all times when the hose bib is not in use." In addition, Florida statutes have a specific sign, including a picture that must be used on the hose bib.

In the Villages, the builder never installs a hose bib on an irrigation system.

Clogged sprinkler heads
 

Different parts of the Villages draw non-potable water from various retention ponds and wetland swamps. Clarity of this water varies. The Villages does NOT filter this water that is fed to home sprinklers. Some areas have high amounts of sand and debris in their source. Leaving the individual little filters off of each head may work in some areas, but not in others. I live in the Preserves and that water is nasty. I had a cleanable filter element installed at my home water source to help cut down the amount of time it took to clean and service each individual head. You still have to clean individual head screens from time to time if you notice coverage has decreased. But the mainline filter makes a big difference. I have about sixty heads or so, that took all day before I got the main filter.

Filter
 

If you put an inline filter on your irrigation system, make sure to use the purple non potable lines or you will have entered troubled waters for inspections and selling. White lines are for potable water only. Purple lines are specifically for non potable irrigation. Just a heads up for the clueless. Purple lines only or you are in violation of health codes etc., not to mention you could incur another bill later on.

Actually the purple PVC is meant to identify underground irregation water lines. As long as you label your filter with Non-Potable Water you comply with code and will have no problem. If you really want to get crazy put a purple tape band on the filter as well.
Ferigator has been installing these filters for years and i've never heard of a problem.

I have a broken sprinkler head and was wondering how easy it is to change it? Not sure how quickly I can get a person to come out this week when the lawn may actually need watering.

The one section with the broken sprinkler head has little water coming anywhere else but the broken head.

It depends on what part is broken. If it is just the nozzle, you unscrew it and screw in a new one from ACE Hardware. If it is more complicated, watch the YouTube videos on how to fix it. The only fix that I would not attempt is if you need to cut and glue the underground pipe.

I have heard that Water Wizard, 352-753-5974, will usually respond to a repair request quickly, but they are not cheap. Another option is to use a hose to water that area manually.

I would suggest getting an irrigation maintenance agreement. I use Massey, which is $40 per quarter, and they will inspect the system every quarter. But, if you need a repair, they will come out and repair the system for a very reasonable price. If you don't have an ongoing agreement, it can be a real hassle to find a repair company, and you have no way to know what they will charge.

One problem about broken sprinkle heads with me was my landscaper was using their weed wackier
to open the grass area around my sprinkler heads and busting off the top of the sprinkler.

Another problem to watch for.

It looks like that part is just missing. Lawn people probably hit it with their mowers and the like. When the water is on a strong spray shots up from the missing sprinkler head.

I do see that they have the part I would need at Ace.

If the nozzle is broken off, you may also need to replace the riser that screws into the underground threaded connection, because a new nozzle may not screw into the riser, if the threads are damaged. Check the riser for damage to the threads. ACE can sell you a riser and a nozzle. Also, buy a few extra nozzles for spares.

Are there any great You Tube videos y'all would recommend? I have seen some Hunter ones where you can pull the head up with the system off. Mine looks nothing like the Hunter and I don't want to go digging into the head and hurt something. I have reached out to Tri-County to see if they could tell me what I have. Villages Warranty department was unable to help when I made a call to them.

My answer was addressing the question if you need the purple PVC to patch or do a minor extension of your irregation system. The answer is No. The purple PVC was installed when the home was built to indicate the non-pottable irregation water.

Yes i've read the Florida regulations since this thread was started and a label with "Non-Pottable water do not drink" in English and Spanish and a hosebib with a key is needed. You can get both on Amazon. If you want you can put some purple electrical tape around the PVC as well or paint it.

The idea of putting a hose bib on the irregation filter system was to enable you to use that water for your garden for example. But If you read your deed restrictions, mine and i'm guessing most say that the irregation water is ONLY to be used for irregation purposes. You are not supposed to use it to rinse your driveway or any other non-irregation purpose. This is why the builder never installed a hose bib on this water source. One of the reasons is becasue this source of water is not unlimited. The deed restrictions go on to say that you are only supposed to use your irregation system on the days which are listed on the panel near the irregation timer to control the amount of irregation load on the system. When walking around in the mournings, I don't believe many are watering to the specified schedule. In addition, many don't realize their irregation rain sensor is bad because their systems still watering after a heavy rain. The sponges in the sensors only last about 5-6 years before they dry out and you either need to replace the sponges OR replace the sensor. A $20 expense but many don't do it or realize they need to do it and waste even more irregation water. Many have installed these computerized irregation timers like the Rachio which I have which don't really need the rain sensor because they get the weather forcast from the internet BUT some times the weather says no rain eventhough we get a rain, sometimes 1/4 inch or more so having the sensor is another device to control unnecessary watering. The point is none of these rules are enforced. Another dilemma is how do you get your dog or your neighbors dog from drinking the irregation water in the early morning hours if they are out? Maybe there is some label for pets?

LOL!


Suspect the irrigation water is safer than the water in the lakes that support so much wild life


Irrigation water is treated and meets the public access reuse standards established and required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The only violation for health codes is if you have an outlet point, hence the hose bib comment. If there is no outlet, how can anyone drink the water?

Seems like a statement without logic. . if there is no outlet. .