Irrigation systems are present at most residential and commercial properties, delivering water to landscaping, gardens, and other applications on a controlled schedule. When an irrigation system fails and water loss results, the complexity of the system, often built from four or five different material types with multiple connection methods and components, means the quality of evidence collected before removal is a key factor in any evaluation.
In this episode of Evidence to Answers, forensic engineer Ben walks through how irrigation systems are designed and installed, the most common failure patterns, including freeze-related line failures, installation deficiencies, incompatible connections, and external damage from vehicles, and what experts examine when a component is submitted for evaluation. He also covers what adjusters should document on-site, including system layout, controller location, manifold and valve box condition, and distances.
This video is for those involved in losses and claims where an irrigation system is a factor. Background information, including installation date, maintenance history, usage patterns, and weather context, paired with proper on-site documentation before removal, gives an expert the best opportunity to provide defensible conclusions.