Irrigation System Installation & Considerations

When you think about the costs revolving around a new sprinkler system, you really need to look at the entire picture to determine whether it is right for you. Not everyone values the convenience and ease a sprinkler system brings to a homeowner. Some people prefer to hand water their property due to the small size of their yard or with a sprinkler attached to the hose. However, when you have a normal size or large yard, the answer becomes rather obvious. After being exhausted from your day at the office, the last thing you want to do is water the yard. The time it takes to water the yard two to three times a week just eats away your personal time from relaxing or spending time with the family. The average American spends well over 40 hours at work. We don’t need to add more work when we get home.

Okay, so obviously an irrigation system installation is a huge convenience and time saver. It’s important that the homeowner weigh out their options. For example, the difference between the usual automatic sprinkler and a drip irrigation system. The two are similar in that it waters the grass, but drip irrigation systems work more specifically to reduce the amount of water you use on your property with as much as 20-50% reduction in water use. Drip irrigation uses less water than other automated sprinkler systems because it provides water straight to the roots. This is important because that’s where you want you the water to reach for your landscape to thrive. Unlike like other sprinkler systems, drip irrigation prevents water run-off and evaporation. You may not think about it, but when you water your lawn the water will run-off or evaporate before your roots got very much water. This is why we water our lawns longer without this type of irrigation system in place. If you are trying to conserve water and save money spent on water, you should consider getting the drip irrigation system.

A typical lawn needs one inch of water weekly. The worst option to accomplish this is by hand watering or using a hose with a sprinkler. You will overwater, underwater, and either way, you kill your grass. Not to mention, increase the cost of water with a less efficient means of accomplishing this task. There’s also the huge amount of time you used to do this inefficient task. I still suggest a sprinkler system to hand no matter what type you go with. You don’t over and under water the way you do by hand. Save more money and time. Automatic sprinkler systems are 60% effective compared to drip irrigation. As explained, is due to the runoff of water and evaporation. To get the best bang where it matters most will be with drip irrigation, fully utilizes all water and drops on the roots of the plant.

In addition, you get a reduction of eliminating weeds and mosquitoes when you have this type of irrigation system. Weeds and water-borne bugs prosper from overwatering. This overwatering occurs when you attempt to water your lawn yourself or if your sprinkler system needs to be fine-tuned. When you have a drip irrigation system, there is no stagnant water, so there is no crazy weed growths and swarming mosquitoes. The choice is glaringly obvious.

Sprinkler systems are huge time savers as well as save you money on water. When someone waters their lawn by hand or sprinkler head they attach to a hose, they use so much more water. That water is wasted. Your grass in your lawn will only absorb so much. In addition to that, your time is valuable. We have only so much time on earth, so it’s important we treasure every minute doing something we value. If you value your lawn that’s great, but a sprinkler system can take care of your lawn without wasting any of your time. For these reasons, you should consider getting a sprinkler system.

Sprinkler companies can come by your home to give you a free estimate if you are interested. If you have an idea of which system you want you should let them know. They have to develop a design for your specific property because every property is different. It’s important to do your own research and determine which system you like and why. They have so many out there. I would also suggest getting several quotes to ensure you are getting the best price for the system you want. Consider the reputation of the company you pick also.

Possible Maintenance

Water sprinklers will last you at least a decade with minimal maintenance expenses. The occasional sprinkler head needs to be cleaned or replaced. It is important to note that when temperatures below freezing or hard freezes, you will have to winterize your system. I would definitely have a sprinkler technician do an assessment of your system after every winter to check and make sure no pipes burst or nothing needs to be fixed due to wear and tear with time. Other than that, your sprinkler system will run automatically without your help, sweat, or tears. This is so important, because when you watered the lawn by hand or by moving the hose around it still never did the job. There were parts of your lawn that would die that I call dry patches. You definitely wouldn’t get “Lawn of the Season” in your neighborhood without one of these amazing systems.

Automatic sprinkler systems make it an easy choice for me. You don’t have to stand outside or forget you left the hose on. Another awesome thing about these systems is a rain sensor. If your lawn receives heavy rains or rains a couple of days in a row, the rain sensor knows it. Your sprinkler system won’t turn on for the next couple of mornings to allow the drenched lawn to drain all that water. I used to have a sprinkler system without this feature. It would turn on even when it was raining. I knew when I got my new system that it had to have that feature. I got the best of the best sprinkler systems, Rain Bird sprinkler system. It’s a serious system that operates automatically and adjusts for your landscape, temperature, and rainfall. The best thing about this system is that it will take into account dips and hills. So if you have a slope in your land, the downward slope would receive less time with the sprinkler than say a flat level property. Technology has sure come around with sprinkler systems. It’s easy to see why every business and homeowner should have one.