Below Flow Frequently Asked Questions
Q1) Can it be put under an existing turf?
A1) Yes. It can be cut into the lawn using a plough attachment or a narrow trencher that minimizes disturbance.
Q2) How is it put under turf or a garden?
A2) In gardens it is laid about 6 to 12 in under the soil and mulch. In the lawn plowed in under the turf.
Q3) How does it water the soil?
A3) KISSS® is set on a timer to deliver the required amount of water at prescribed intervals. Water flows through the geotextile spreading into the soil at the soil’s natural absorption rate.
Q4) How much water will it use per week?
A4) It depends on the type of plant material, the weather conditions and the soil type.
Q5) What do you have to do to maintain it?
A5) The only maintenance required is periodic flushing and filter cleaning.
Q6) What about roots getting into it?
A6) The wetting pattern is large so the roots are not attracted to the emitters. There have been no cases of root intrusion in over 11 years.
Q7) How long will it last?
A7) The key materials are polyester and polyethylene and with prescribed maintenance will last easily for over 20 years in the ground.
Q8) Can it be repaired?
A8) Yes. The damaged materials can be replaced and joiners put in.
Q9) What does it do that is different to Drip?
A9)The water is wicked into the soil by capillary action. This distributes the water in the soil at the natural uptake rate of the soil..
Q10) Why KISSS exempt from most water restrictions?*
A10) KISSS is generally exempt from most water restrictions in Australia due to one simple fact; KISSS is the most efficient method of irrigation currently available on the market. This is achieved through the efficient application of water and through the installation under soil where evaporation, run off and misting are eliminated. *You should check with your local water authority if Sub Surface irrigation is exempt in your area as water restrictions vary in different regions.
Q11) Where can I purchase it from?
A11) KISSS is only available from professional Irrigation installer/distributors/retailers. See www.kisssusa.com and www.ebbandflowmat.com for commercial applications and for consumer applications go to www.kisssgarden.com.
Q12) How do I know its working?
A12) You will know that your KISSS product is working as at start up you will hear air being expelled out of the outlets and almost immediately you will notice water migrating into the geofabric. You can also dig around the garden area to ensure that water is being distributed evenly around the garden. Alternatively you can install a Netafim Indicator Flag. The Indicator flag will signal when the system is pressurized and operating correctly.
Q13) Should the KISSS product be installed with the color tape facing up, down or to the side?
A13) The KISSS Below Flow products can generally be installed in any position without compromising the integrity of the system, however in sub-surface installations it is recommended that the "Wrap" KISSS product be installed with the color tape positioned either facing down or to the side. The Flat KISSS product be installed with the color tape facing up.
Q14) Can I run KISSS together with sprays?
A14) KISSS will discharge water at a much lower rate and therefore should not operate together with sprayers. All KISSS products should operate from a separate control valve for greater watering flexibility.
Q15) Do I need a Filter?
A15) Filters are recommended as they remove any water borne debris that can potentially block the KISSS emitters. The filter used for KISSS systems should have a screen size of 120mesh(130um). Any debris small enough to pass through this filter size will simply flush through the KISSS emitter.
Q16) Do I need a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV)?
A16) PRV's are used to reduce the operating pressure of your KISSS system, thus ensuring the uniform discharge and operation. Excessive pressure can cause irregular discharge rates, leaking around fittings and in severe cases can cause pipe distortion and damage. If your water pressure exceeds the recommended operating pressure of your selected KISSS product then you will require the installation of a PRV.
Q17) Won't the KISSS system block up?
A17) If you use a filter on your system you will prevent the inlet of the KISSS emitter devices form blocking. The use of an "Air/Vacuum Release Valve" will ensure that the internal emitter outlets don't block up through suck back. This can occur when water in the KISSS system drains out through the low points on your KISSS system. The draining of this water can create a vacuum. The "Air/Vacuum Release Valve" will ensure that air drawn into the system is clean and enters through a controlled point. The "Air/Vacuum Release Valve" will also discharge air out of the system upon system start up. This will remove air from the system quickly and ensure even watering and prevent air locks in the KISSS system.
Q18) How do I clean the filter on the KISSS product emitter?
A18) The KISSS emitters will usually self clean through normal operation or when the system is flushed out. During flushing water passes directly past the emitter, sucking any debris or dirt out of the inlet screen on the emitter. It is recommended that you use an inline filter on your KISSS system which will
prevent emitter blockage and also serves as a convenient point for dirt and debris removal. All KISSS systems should use a filter with a 120mesh (130um) rating.
Q19) Can I run my KISSS system off a rain water tank?
A19) Refer to your KISSS selection guide to determine the minimum operating pressure for your chosen KISSS product. As long as there is enough pressure from the pump system it will work very will with rainwater collection systems. .
Q20) How long do I need to run my system?
A20) Run times are based upon the peak water requirement of the garden and the application rate of your KISSS system. I.e. for turf areas we recommend running the system 3 times per day for 5 to 10 minutes depending on the amount of water required. For garden area’s with perennials we recommend irrigation heavily for one or 2 days per week. These types of plants need a dry down cycle to be healthy.
Q21) How often should I flush out my system?
A21) Flushing frequency is determined by the quality of the water used. Off mains water your system should be flushed at the start, midway and the end of the season. If your water quality is poor then you should flush your system more frequently. If you have damaged your KISSS-line, upon repair you should also flush the system prior to re-operating the system.
Q22) What KISSS Product Flow Rate should I use?
A22) Sandy soils - High
Loamy soils - Medium
Clay soils – Low
For more details refer to your KISSS Selection Guide.
Q23) Are you sure that my plants will get enough water?
A23) KISSS irrigation has been proven in commercial and agriculture for many years. Its relatively low application rate will allow water to penetrate down into the soil. Remember that low application rates require a longer watering run time.
Q24) What water pressure is required?
A24) Refer to your KISSS selection guide for the specific pressure requirement of your KISSS products. Generally a KISSS system will operate from 15 to 50psi depending on which type of KISSS products you use.
Q25) How far can I run my KISSS line?
A25) Your KISSS specification has a performance table which highlights the maximum run length for the various KISSS products. These figures have been calculated to ensure that a maximum uniformity discharge rate of +/- 10% is achieved over the entire run length. The figures are also based on maintaining a minimum end line pressure of 10m (100KPA) which will ensure sufficient flushing pressure.
Q26) How much KISSS line can I run off one tap?
A26) Calculate the available flow rate at 250Kpa in Liters per hour. Divide this rate by the flow rate of the KISSS product. This will determine how many meters of KISSS line that can be run off your tap given the available flow. E.g.: If you have a Flow rate of 3200L/H @ 250 KPA and wish to use Below Flow Wrap700; (BFW700) @ 3200L/H à 3200L/H / 7.00L/m/hr = 457m of BFW700 in total.
Q27) What is PC and where do I use it?
A27) PC stands for Pressure Compensated emitters. PC emitters have an internal diaphragm which ensures uniform discharge over a large pressure range which makes them ideally suited to very long run lengths and for undulating or sloping gardens.
Q28) What does CNL mean and where would I use it?
A28) CNL stands for Compensating Non Leakage emitters. CNL emitters have an internal diaphragm which ensures uniform discharge over a large pressure range and also closes the emitter once the emitters operating pressure drops below a certain rate. This is particularly beneficial for subsurface systems on sloping and undulating surfaces which would otherwise have problems with water draining out at the lowest point on the system. CNL ensures that water remains in the KISSS system.
Q29) Why are KISSS-lines available in different colors?
A29) KISSS product lines are available in two basic colors: BLUE: for general irrigation using potable water source PURPLE/LILAC: is used in accordance with international and local standards for use with reclaimed and treated water supplies. Its color ensures that it is instantly recognizable as being used with non potable water supplies.
There is another set of colors used to make product flow rates easily identifiable on fresh rolls or reels.
Green - High Flow
White - Med/High Flow
Yellow - Med/Low Flow
Red - Low Flow
Q30) Will the emitters blow out under pressures?
A30) KISSS products use emitters that are welded to the internal wall of the irrigation tube. Subjecting your KISSS system to excessive water pressure may Cause damage to the tube but would be highly unlikely to remove the emitter From the internal wall of the tube.
Q31) What happens if I damage the KISSS - line?
A31) As KISSS-lines are manufactured from high grade LD Polyethylene they are quite resilient and will absorb low, moderate impact from the dreaded garden spade. If hit by an over zealous spade wielding gardener, KISSS-lines can be easily repaired by simply cutting out the damaged section and replacing it with a new section fitted to the original pipe work with joiners and clamps. Remember to always flush out your KISSS system after making any repairs.
Q32) Where do I use a RPZ?
A32) A RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone) back flow device is an approved back flow device that prevents the back flow of any potentially contaminated water into your potable water supply. An RPZ should be used where chemicals that may be injected into the irrigation water supply through fertilizer injection or through the introduction of Treflan through a Tech-filter could potentially backflow into the potable water supply in a Reduced Pressure Event. (eg, burst mains, Fire engine hookup to mains etc.) If using water from an alternative water supply, the backflow requirement may change. It is suggested that you check with your local water authority for the suitable back flow device.
Q33) Can I establish new lawn with a subsurface system?
A33) It may take a couple of weeks before instant turf develops a sufficient root structure to enable it to draw water from a subsurface system. It is therefore suggested that in the establishment period supplementary overhead irrigation takes place until sufficient root development occurs.
Q34) Can I germinate turf with the system?
A34) We do not claim to be able to germinate turf without first having the seed watered in well after sowing. The main reason is that the first overhead watering need only be a light one to perform the following functions:
• Settle the soil particles together to enhance the natural capillary action
• To start the wetting column connecting water coming up from capillary action against the evaporation rate of the soil surface
• Settle the seed into the soil particles so that when the capillary water rises to the surface the soil and therefore the capillary water is in contact with the seeds. This was achieved back in 1996 at the CSIRO Division of Land and Water at Griffith whilst sowing radish seed and lucerne into friable soils. The result was that they need a short overhead watering to settle the top soil particles over the seed and then the capillary rise from the Safety Flow can sustain and achieve germination.
Q35) Can Grey water be used for germination?
A35) Germination of seeds suing treated sewage was achieved at the University of Technology at Richmond over several crop types without any detrimental effects to germination rate. All water used in the last 6 yrs of research at the UWS site is recycled water.
Q36) Can I still aerate and slice my turf?
A36) The system can be installed as low as 8 inches under turf depending on soil textures and spacing.
At Pacific Hills Christian School at Dural the STf is installed at between 6 and 8” deep and at 39” centers. The oval is the only playing area for the 1,100 students at the school so it is under heavy usage even on weekends for weekend sports. Each year the grounds man gets the whole field sliced to 100-120mm deep and the Below Flow is unaffected for two reasons. One is that the drip line is covered in a geotextile giving added protection to the drip line and secondly because it is buried below the area in question. The fact that Below Flow does not compact the ground by using overhead irrigation is one reason why it does not need as much aeration. The other factor is that air can be injected into the system to aerate it. The most active area of root zone for turf is the top 4 inches so that is where the coring should be limited to unless you are using overhead irrigation in which case you would have to core or slice to 8 inches deep
Q37) Will Nutrient Runoff be completely eliminated?
A37) We do not claim to stop all nutrient run off but to reduce the down ward movement of excess nutrients and also reduce the surface runoff especially if it is applied through fertigation. Top dress fertilizing using overhead irrigation loses 60% to leaching in the first 2- 3 weeks of watering because the nutrients are leached too fast for the root hairs to take it up or the downward movement of the nutrient is enhanced by the volume of water applied through overhead irrigation. The system only applies water at the rate that the soil can take it away from the source and therefore the nutrients are in solution in that soil water are available to plants.
