Before You Install

The following are some basic facts about what’s involved in installing an irrigation system.

How irrigation systems are installed.

Water supply for irrigation system

First we locate the pipe that runs from the municipality water supply to your residence. Then the water is shut off for about 2 hrs to allow for a connection tee to be installed to supply water for your irrigation system.
At the end of this supply line a backflow is installed as per City requirements. This device is very important part of your irrigation system .The purpose of the backflow is to stop any Bacteria getting into your house water supply through the irrigation system. (A blowout for winterization is also in same box) For more information on this, see the Backflow page

Once the backflow is installed, a water pressure tester is connected to the line to find out what your water pressure is from the city supply line. (It could be anywhere from 65 psi to 110 psi)
This pressure tells us how many irrigation zones we will need to complete your irrigation system.
The job is then mapped out with irrigation flags to decide where the irrigation heads go. (All irrigation lines from the Backflow are PVC Pipe but will vary in size.)

Irrigation valves are then installed to control each irrigation zone. These are installed in irrigation valve boxes underground. (i.e.: if you have 4 zones then you will need 4 irrigation valves)
Wiring from these valves is run to the location of the irrigation controller to be wired into the computer when ready.

From these valves you can then install the irrigation zones; all the irrigation heads will usually pop up 3 inches in lawn areas. We also install rotor heads that turn at different angles for larger lawn areas.
Drip systems are also installed for your pots if you wish.
Riser heads are installed in garden areas to accommodate plants and shrubs growing in the summer.
All heads then have spray nozzles installed on them; the types are dictated by the spray patterns. (i.e.: full circle sprays, half circle, quarter circle and so on. They are all adjustable for the size of the areas you need to cover.)

The irrigation controller location is always decided before commencing the job. It is usually installed in a garage and works off a standard electrical outlet.
Wiring from the irrigation valves is then installed into your irrigation computer.

Once all the irrigation as been installed and the job tided up the next step is to run water through the irrigation lines to blow out any debris in the lines .
When the water is nice and clean the spray nozzles are installed and the adjustments are made and the coverage is checked .
The last step is to go over the irrigation computer so the homeowner fully understands how to work the irrigation system. (A zone list is made for the homeowner if over 6 zones are installed and is put on the wall next to the controller)

To keep the warranty, a system service is required twice per year, spring and winter . A fee is charged for this service depending on size of job.

Oliver Irrigation Ltd applies a two-year warranty on all parts and labour.