[Rheimer]

I have a question for clarification please. Why do you need a filter on the sprinkler head or sprinkler system? Isn’t this just reclaimed water going into your lawn and plants? It seems if you remove all the filters that would solve the clogging problem.

[Santiagogirl]

Current drought makes it a lot easier to spot places where a sprinkler system needs adjustment or cleaning, or where a planting is blocking the spray & needs a trim. Just walk around the house once a week or two & look for brown spots, as well as broken or missing heads as a result of our lawn folks. Won't identify every problem, but will prevent permanent damage to the lawn.
Most of the problems I've found are quick fixes, and green returns very quickly. I live in northern end of TV where sprinklers are on municipal water supply, so whole system filter would probably be overkill.

[Ski Bum]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

An easier thing to do is to just throw away the filter. Why do you need a filter to protect a two dollar sprinkler nozzle? My sprinkler heads work fine without the plastic filters, and they don't get clogged as often.

There is a screw on top of the nozzle that seats against that filter to turn down the spray, if needed. So the nozzle becomes non-adjustable if you remove the filter.

[lawgolfer]

It isn't worth the time and trouble to replace the small plastic filters at the sprinkler heads. You have to spend a lot of time with a fine toothbrush to get them clean and you have to make a second trip to the sprinkler and an "up and down" on our old, tired knees.

You can buy a supply of these filters at Irrigation supplies and equipment from Dripdepot for $.20/each. If you have a serious problem with clogged filters, which many do, you should find the sprinkler at the end of the line, remove the head and flush the line. Most times, you'll be shocked at the "junk" that comes out of the line.

Drip Depot is a great source for everything you need for sprinklers. The on-line catalogue has more types of and variations of sprinkler than I knew existed. It beats making a trip to Ace, Home Depot, or Lowe's all of which have a limited selection of sprinkler heads.

Some posters remove and discard these filters and have no problems. That will not be true for most of us. It is a lot easier to replace these filters than to clean out a bunch of sprinkler heads.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

An easier thing to do is to just throw away the filter. Why do you need a filter to protect a two dollar sprinkler nozzle? My sprinkler heads work fine without the plastic filters, and they don't get clogged as often.

Agree 100%. Does not take much to clog up those filters.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Ski Bum

There is a screw on top of the nozzle that seats against that filter to turn down the spray, if needed. So the nozzle becomes non-adjustable if you remove the filter.

I have never needed to adjust a sprinkler nozzle with the screw, and I have never seen a sprinkler technician use a screw driver on one.

[RICH1]

Originally Posted by Maker

Friend has one. Filter is inline with the water supply. Mainly intended for reclaimed water in the south end that is loaded with grit, sand, and junk. The filter element is easy to clean, and reusable. The heads never clog up now.

Hope his Filter is installed before His ZONE Valves ….,

[NoMo50]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

An easier thing to do is to just throw away the filter. Why do you need a filter to protect a two dollar sprinkler nozzle? My sprinkler heads work fine without the plastic filters, and they don't get clogged as often.

If you are talking about Hunter MP rotator sprinkler heads, they are a lot more than $2.00 apiece. The cheapest place I have found them is at Central Pro/Site One, at $7.00 each. Ace carries them, but $10 there. I've seen them as high as $12.50 on Amazon.

The main issue with running without a filter is that, eventually, contaminants will find their way into the inner workings of the head. Your first indication of this will be that the head stops rotating. The reclaimed water used for irrigation is exceptionally filthy. Over time, sprinkler heads will fail due to being fouled. An inline filter could very well prolong the life of the heads.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Tell me where you purchased $2 sprinkler heads. I just replaced an MP rotor for my S-I-L for about $11.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by NoMo50

If you are talking about Hunter MP rotator sprinkler heads, they are a lot more than $2.00 apiece. The cheapest place I have found them is at Central Pro/Site One, at $7.00 each. Ace carries them, but $10 there. I've seen them as high as $12.50 on Amazon.

The main issue with running without a filter is that, eventually, contaminants will find their way into the inner workings of the head. Your first indication of this will be that the head stops rotating. The reclaimed water used for irrigation is exceptionally filthy. Over time, sprinkler heads will fail due to being fouled. An inline filter could very well prolong the life of the heads.

I was referring to the Hunter PRO adjustable nozzles that are about $2 each on Amazon, and come with a plastic, removable filter. Unless the builder has changed their process, that is the type they use on new houses.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by G.R.I.T.S.

Tell me where you purchased $2 sprinkler heads. I just replaced an MP rotor for my S-I-L for about $11.

I think you can buy the rotor type on Amazon for about $7 each. The Hunter PRO adjustable nozzles are $2 each.

[wfp113]

Does he adjust mp rotater heads for a reasonable price?
Thanks, Bill

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

Big thanks ! So good to know. We spend hours each spring, and often twice a year, spring and fall, patiently gathering the little plastic filters from heads and carefully soaking them in vinegar, cleaning with a toothbrush, etc. etc. That easy task HAS served us well, but just removing them... never thought about that. Did you ever then have trouble with sand particles getting stuck in the pin point spray holes ? Or is that not a problem ?

Don't let anyone fool you. If you take off those sprinkler head filters, your spray head will clog over time. It's not if, it's when. With most of the heads you can try to clean them out but a lot of the time if sand gets in there it won't come out and you will need to replace the head. Unless you find a sale most heads are at least $5-$8 and most homes have around 20-30 or more heads. So why spend money hiring someone to check and replace heads every year when you can avoid it? With the filter installed all you need to do is just re-align any heads which is a simple DIY maintenance task that won't cost any money.

As far as changing the whole system irregation filter, all you need to do is open the filter drain about once per month and since the filter is stainless steel you can easily unscrew the filter jar and clean it with soap and water once per year if needed.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

A major factor in your amazement of seeing so many of your neighbors out working on their sprinkler heads is just that it's spring and people are out working, doing routine things; if you've lived here very long, you'll notice more people out trimming bushes, cleaning out their gutters with leaf blowers, and so on. Do you have some details on your filters you had installed ? Does this man put a new filter in EACH sprinkler head, or does he install something that eliminated the yearly, or bi-yearly cleaning of each filter ? More details, interesting option to eliminate routine spring maintenance if it works. Thanks

Since every home's system is in a different state depending on how well it was maintained it's best to reach out to Chuck. Yes he does all these services as needed.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Altavia

I like the bulk filter ideas but I thought the reclaimed water was filtered and processed before distribution?

Any sand or grit would be from installation or?

According to the Villages, reclaimed water is minimally processed meaning it's non-pottable and no they don't filter out all the sand and grit the amount that will vary each season depending on how much rain we get which is the problem.