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Four Mistakes To Avoid With Your Farm's Irrigation Installation

When it comes to irrigation installation, there are some mistakes you should avoid. Irrigation is a key component of any farm's operation. It can be used to water crops and pastures, or even to water livestock. However, if you don't take the time to properly install your irrigation system, it won't be able to reach its full potential.

Here are four common mistakes that many farmers make when installing their irrigation systems:

1. Not Using Polyethylene (PE) Tubing

Many farmers will use polyethylene (PE) tubing for their irrigation systems because it is inexpensive and easy to work with. However, this material is extremely prone to kinks and leaks. In addition, PE tubing has a very limited lifespan and cannot withstand UV rays from the sun for very long. When this happens, the tubing will begin to degrade quickly—which means that it needs to be replaced more often than other materials such as PVC or polypropylene (PP).

2. Using Too Small of a Pump

When it comes to water pumping systems, bigger is definitely better. If you use a small pump, your system will not have enough power to push water through long distances and uphill. You may need to install multiple pumps in order to get the job done. This can be very expensive and time-consuming. Instead, try using a larger pump that has more power than you need to avoid these issues.

3. Not Having Enough Water Pressure In Your Irrigation System

If your water pressure is too low, then you could end up wasting a lot of water due to leaking hoses or faulty valves. When you have low water pressure, it is difficult to control how much water enters your pipes. This can lead to leaks and inefficient irrigation systems that use too much water.

4. Not Installing An Automatic Shutoff Valve

Installing an automatic shutoff valve at the source of your irrigation system can help prevent flooding if something goes wrong with your sprinklers or valves. If a valve fails or if you accidentally flood an area accidentally while testing out your sprinklers, having an automatic shutoff valve can save you from an expensive water damage repair bill. 

The temptation to get your irrigation system installed as soon as possible and get back to farming is understandable. But rushing into an irrigation installation with no planning can lead to costly mistakes, from poor water distribution to poor crop performance. Chat with a professional about irrigation installation today.  


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