Tensiometers are simple instruments, but, without regular maintenance, they are likely to give wrong readings.

Servicing a tensiometer

Take the opportunity during winter to refill tensiometers with cool clean boiled rainwater or distilled water. Use a vacuum pump to withdraw air bubbles, otherwise readings may be incorrect.

During frost periods, cover tensiometers: freezing temperatures can ruin the gauges.

A valuable management tool

To ensure you can manage your irrigation applications for overall watering efficiency, plant health and crop yields, you need to be able to trust your tensiometer.

What are the signs that your tensiometer is not working correctly?

Trouble sign: Gauge always reads zero.
(If correct, a zero reading means the soil is saturated from irrigation, rainfall or poor drainage.)

Possible causes:

• No water in the tensiometer, or lost suction due to low water level: service and refill.
• The gauge is faulty: check and replace.
• A connection is leaking: check the general assembly including ceramic tip and all O-ring seals.

Possible causes:

• There is poor contact between the ceramic tip and the soil: reinstall correctly.
• The gauge is faulty: check and replace.

Trouble sign: Tensiometer requires frequent refilling.

Possible causes:

• Filler cap or filler cap seal leaking: replace the seal or cap.
• Check for other seal leaks.

Trouble sign: Tensiometer responds slowly to irrigations.

Possible causes:

• Water is slow to infiltrate between the ceramic tip and the soil. The ceramic tip may be sealed by salts: clean or replace.
• The gauge sticks (from minor damage): tap to test, and replace if faulty.