5 Common Misting System Mistakes and How to Avoid Them - July Monthly Newsletter

July 09, 2020

The thought of enjoying your misting system is exciting. Whether you are installing it for the first time or bringing it out of storage, you feel excited. You picture yourself enjoying the outdoor areas of your home, even on the hottest summer days. And in our Phoenix area, it can get hot. And humid. And dry. And hotter.

The misting system is one of the best decisions you have made. It is inexpensive, easy to operate, and makes barbecuing, lounging by the pool, and even yard chores more enjoyable.

As you start, the misting system installation process can be tricky even if you have done it for years. There are steps you can forget that lead to mistakes. Patio misting system mistakes are quite common. Also, the system's instruction packet doesn't usually offer specific tips on how to ensure you are getting the best use of your product.

That’s when having a strong relationship with your local Phoenix-area plumbing company can come in handy. At least at Whitton Plumbing, we feel our job is to help you get the most bang for your buck with products like a misting system.

We have created a list of common mistakes we see involving misting systems, and how to avoid them.

1. Forgot to Do the Math

We know that's the last thing you want to do is math. What does math have to do with a misting system anyway?

We get it! But ask any local plumbing professional, knowing the size of the area you are trying to cool is extremely important. You must know the exact specifications before you purchase a misting system. If you guess the wrong size, your system will not live up to your expectations.

2. Purchased Wrong-Sized Pump

Picture that fine spray that comes from your nozzle. It spreads out nice and even, evaporates in the air at the right time, and creates that cold air you enjoy. Ahhhh. Are you smiling yet? We are. It will feel so good this summer. But the perfect spray cannot happen if you have the wrong pump size.

Some people try to save a few bucks and buy a pump that is too small. They get home, install it, and quickly realize the smaller pump cannot send the water through the tiny nozzles at the velocity needed to create the mist. Speaking of nozzles

3. Unexpected Nozzle Needs

If you buy a misting system kit, it comes with the perfect nozzle set-up for the parts included in the package. It does not provide the ideal nozzle set-up for your specific area. The kits are like a generic, starter version.

It does not account for your awning, pergola, or the roof that extends farther than the kit allows.

You may then need to buy extension nozzles to fit your area. When you do this, you must redo your math to account for that extra spacing. You need the right pump size for the correct number of nozzles. For example, if you add nozzles to a small pump, you will slow the water pressure and get larger droplets. This can also be true for those who try to change the spacing of the nozzles to accommodate an unusual space.

4. Did Not Check Connections

All misting systems are just many small parts and pieces connected to form one large but lean cooling machine. If any of these connections are loose, it can cause a change in pressure that will lead to a change in the misting system's operation.

Checking every single part to ensure proper closure is a tedious task, but worth it.

5. Forgot to Anchor It

Ever seen a movie or commercial in which someone was holding a garden hose and when the water was turned on, the hose started going crazy, making it hard to hold onto, causing water to spray everywhere rather than in one spot?

That very same thing can happen to your misting system if it is not anchored down correctly. 

Because hoses are heavier when water is flowing through them, you must consider where you anchor the system. Using a small clip to tie the piping to your roof's edge could damage your roof. If you are installing your misting system on the ground instead of above, incorrect anchoring could become a hazard.

How to Avoid Misting System Mistakes

The obvious answers are to make sure you have correct measurements, check your connections, anchor it, and buy the right pump and nozzles for your calculated area.

But since this only takes care of five mistakes, when there are many more that can be made (accounting for hard water vs. soft water, ensuring a non-slip area, winterization, filters, etc.).

Ensure that you avoid all mistakes, get help from your local plumber who is Arizona licensed, and know everything there is to know about misting systems. They can save you unnecessary work and costs.

There are many times when letting a Phoenix plumbing expert handle it, and this is one of those times. All you must worry about is enjoying the cold air outside.