Installation Services
Garden Irrigation Installation Services.
If you are considering installing garden irrigation but have questions about the type of products to use or about best installation practices, please don't hesitate to contact us. We will happily provide telephone support and may be able to suggest a design that will work for your garden. While we are unable to provide garden irrigation installation services across the United Kingdom, we can recommend reliable installation companies that we partner with.
Getting Started with Garden Irrigation.
Before starting a garden irrigation project, the most important thing to know is the Water Pressure and Flow from your garden tap.
What is Water Flow?
Water flow is commonly measured in litres per minute, the amount of water flowing through a tap or hosepipe within a set period. It differs from water pressure because it measures the force to move that water through your tap or hosepipe. A great example is comparing two open-ended hosepipes, which appear to have a similar water flow. However, on one, you can stop the water flow by placing your hand over the end – the pressure is poor; on the other, when you place your hand over the end, the water pushes past it and creates a jet of water – the pressure is good.
Water pressure measures the force of water, and water flow measures the volume of water. The two aren’t entirely separate, though, as a reasonable flow rate often indicates good water pressure and water flow typically improves with increasing water pressure.
Can I test my tap water flow?
To test your tap water flow, you will need a 2-litre measuring jug and a stopwatch or timer. Turn on your garden tap and place the jug under it for 6 seconds. To calculate your water flow, multiply the amount of water in the jug by ten, e.g. 1.2 x 10 = 12.
This is the flow rate in litres per minute, so in this example, the property has a flow rate of 12 litres per minute. A flow rate of less than 10 litres per minute is usually considered low, so you will more than likely have low water pressure. A flow rate of 10-15 litres per minute is acceptable for water flow and pressure. In contrast, anything above 15 litres per minute is usually regarded as good, resulting in good water pressure.
Of course, there are some occasions when demand will affect water pressure. You may experience low water pressure in the morning or evening when many people take showers and baths or on hot summer evenings when gardens are often watered.
To test your water pressure, use a gauge. First, ensure that all appliances, taps and showers that use water are not running. Then, attach the pressure gauge to your tap and turn the tap or outlet on fully. This will force the water into the gauge and activate the needle. Note the reading on the gauge: for a house supplied with mains water, an average pressure would be 2-4 bars or 30-60 psi.