Turf-Tec International
Common Lawn Water Problems

Here are some common water problems and ways for you to investigate the problem yourself.

Step 1
Wet Areas - Dry Areas - Weeds - Dead Spots

Homeowners or homeowners associations watering too much?

WET AREA - If an area seems wet, investigate the area with the Turf-Tec Moisture Sensor. If the reading is over 75%, that means that the soil is too wet for grass to grow. Further investigation is required.

DRY AREA - If you notice areas that seem off colored, or the grass blades are curling up this can be caused by wilting. Use the Moisture Sensor to determine if the areas dry. If the reading is below 25%, the area is in need of water. Check the sprinklers to be sure they are working properly and reaching that area.

WEEDS - If weeds appear only in certain areas, this is a sign that other problems exist, like thin grass. Check these areas for too much or too little water with the Moisture Sensor.

DEAD AREAS - These dead spots are usually caused by lack of soil moisture. Check soil moisture with the Moisture Sensor. If soil moisture is below 25% or over 75%, further investigation is necessary.

To find out if any of the above problems exist, the following tool can be used.

Turf-Tec Moisture Sensor

Turf-Tec Moisture Sensor - MS1-W Click here to see this item in the Turf-Tec Virtual Catalog

Step 2:
Turfgrass Disease and Poor Infiltration

TURFGRASS DISEASE AND POOR INFILTRATION are closely related. "Mold doesn't grow on dry bread" is a quote Tom Mascaro always used to recite about turfgrass disease. If infiltration rates are below eight inches per hour disease is likely. If infiltration falls below six inches per hour, the situation is very critical and immediate action should be taken to prevent the loss of turf.

Infiltration rate is also a good indication of when it's time to aerify. Baseline Infiltrometer readings will give a good indication of your rate of infiltration. When those baseline readings fall 10% or more, then it is time to aerify. In addition, the amount of water that is being applied by the sprinklers, obtained in step two, will allow you to compare the amount of water applied with the amount of water that has infiltrated into the soil to avoid runoff and maximize water intake into the soil.

Infiltration can be taken by two different types of Infiltrometers, the Turf-Tec Infiltrometer and the Turf-Tec Infiltration rings.

Turf-Tec Infiltration Rings

Turf-Tec Infiltration Rings - IN5-W
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Step 3:
How much rain have I gotten?

Often we never know how much rain we have received. The Rain-O-Matic is a self emptying rain gauge that will read out digitally how much rain you have received. This will allow the proper use of your irrigation system if you know when you receive rainfall and in what amount, even if you are not home.

Turf-Tec Wireless Rain Gauge