An automatic irrigation system delivers water to your entire landscape through a network of underground pipes. These pipes bring water to groups of sprinklers, which are arranged in zones. The zones are designed according to your landscape and the watering requirements of each area. The control clock automatically tells each valve how long to stay open and feed the line with water.

The system will deliver just the right amount of water when and where your lawn needs it. An irrigation system is particularly valuable for a second home where you can’t always attend to your landscape needs.

Here’s how it works. There are three main components to an automatic irrigation system:

  1. Sprinklers – they direct and deliver water to your lawn and plants.
  2. Valves – they serve as automatic faucets to release water through the underground pipes to the sprinklers. There are multiple valves for the various zones of sprinklers.
  3. Controller – the “brain” of the system, the programmable controller automatically turns the valves on and off. It is set to schedule when and for how long each section (or zone) of your property will be watered.

The controller is preset to open the individual valves at desired times and for desired lengths of time, to meet the specific needs of your landscape. When the controller turns on a valve, the valve then releases the flow of water to a zone of sprinklers. After the pre-designated watering time, the valve shuts off. The process then repeats itself until each zone has been watered.

Each controller is equipped with a rain sensor, which will override the controller program and prevent the system from turning on during or after rain.