Technical Hub
UK Flow Centre Technical Hub
Practical help for irrigation, pumping, pipework and water systems
Straightforward guidance to help you choose compatible parts, diagnose common issues and understand the next sensible step before ordering.
Advice while you shop
Got a question about your project?
Use the guides below, or ask about pumps, irrigation, drainage and fittings in the chat. If it needs a closer look, our team can help.
Rainwater for the garden
Water butts, planters and accessories
Explore 16 Ecosure water butt designs from 105 to 1,500 litres, plus taps, a downpipe diverter and matching stands.
Collection only from UK Flow Centre, Sevenoaks.
Shop water butts | Shop planters | Shop accessories
Read the water butt and rainwater harvesting guideBuying Guides
Start here when you are planning a system or are unsure which type of product or pipework you need.
Shop the system, not just one part
These are the areas that most often need to work together. Start with the job, then check compatible pipework, fittings, filtration and control.
Problem & Maintenance Guides
Use these when a system is not behaving as it should. Find the likely cause before replacing parts.
Need help with a real system?
Send photographs, measurements, product details and a brief description of what is happening. We can help identify the next sensible route.
Contact the technical teamNeed someone to install, repair or attend the site? Use the contractor enquiry for project, location and timing details.
Find a contractorTechnical guidance from UK Flow Centre, operated by JK Irrigation Ltd.
Seasonal maintenance
Autumn and winter irrigation checks
Record known faults while they are still fresh, then plan isolation, drainage and protection around the exact equipment installed. Controllers, pumps, valves and backflow assemblies differ, so follow their manufacturer instructions.
- Preserve the system record: note faults, take clear photographs and keep a separate copy of controller, station or decoder information before maintenance or groundworks.
- Map the shutdown: identify the water isolation, exposed pipework, pumps, controllers, drain points, valves and backflow equipment before changing the system state.
- Protect against freezing: water left in pipework and components can freeze, expand and cause damage. Flexible polyethylene pipe is not automatically protected from this risk.
- Treat compressed-air blow-out as specialist work: it carries pressure and flying-debris risks. Use the equipment manufacturer’s procedure and do not exceed the lowest-rated component in the system.
- Check during the quiet period: revisit pump rooms, tanks, valve boxes and areas affected by construction, traffic or tree work rather than waiting for spring start-up.
Further reading: John Kidson’s winter-preparation article · Rain Bird winterisation guidance · Hunter winterisation guidance
GreenKeeping Magazine · external site
Published technical reading
Practical irrigation articles from the team behind UK Flow Centre, hosted independently by GreenKeeping Magazine.
BIGGA
Industry training · external site
Practical irrigation training
John Kidson is a BIGGA Patron. JK Irrigation is BIGGA South East Region Patron and supports practical irrigation training.
External links open the publisher or association website in a new tab.
The people behind the guidance
UK Flow Centre is operated by JK Irrigation Ltd, led by John Kidson. Our technical background comes from irrigation installation, servicing, fault finding and training, alongside the manufacturer information linked in our guides.
Meet John and see independent project coverage. For a specific product, use the instructions for its exact model and send us your measurements and photographs if you need help applying the guidance to your site.
