Keeping your lawn and commercial property looking green and healthy requires the right amount of water. An irrigation system is a fantastic tool for this, but it often comes with questions. How do you maintain it? When should you run it? What happens when the seasons change? We hear these questions all the time, so we’ve put together a guide to answer the most common ones we encounter.
This will walk you through essential topics like seasonal maintenance, installation details, and how to water your landscape efficiently. Let’s dive into the details to help you get the most out of your irrigation system.
Why Do I Need to Winterize My Irrigation System?
One of the most critical maintenance tasks for any irrigation system is winterization. Before the first deep freeze of the season, you must shut down your system and remove all the water from its pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads.
Water expands when it freezes. If water is left in your system over the winter, the expansion can cause pipes to crack, fittings to burst, and sprinkler heads to break. These issues can lead to expensive and time-consuming repairs come springtime. A professional blowout using an air compressor is the safest and most effective way to clear all the water, protecting your investment from the harshness of winter.
Is a Mid-Season Check Really Necessary?
You had your system started in the spring and it’s scheduled for winterization in the fall, so you’re all set, right? Not quite. A mid-season check-up is highly recommended, especially during the hottest and driest parts of summer when your system is working its hardest.
Over the summer, a lot can happen:
- Lawn Mowers: Sprinkler heads can be accidentally damaged or knocked out of alignment by lawn equipment.
- Plant Growth: As your landscape matures, growing shrubs and perennials can start to block the spray patterns, leaving some areas dry.
- Leaks: Small leaks can develop, wasting water and causing your water bill to creep up.
- Changing Needs: The water needs of your lawn change as temperatures rise. A mid-season adjustment ensures your controller settings are optimized for summer conditions, promoting deep root growth without overwatering.
A quick inspection can catch these small problems before they become bigger, more costly ones, ensuring your lawn stays healthy all season long.
How Disruptive Is an Irrigation Installation on an Existing Lawn?
Many property owners worry that installing a new irrigation system will destroy their established lawn. Fortunately, modern installation techniques are minimally invasive. We use specialized equipment, like a vibratory plow, that “pulls” the pipe underground through a small slit in the turf. This method avoids the need for messy trenching that tears up your yard.
While it’s slightly easier to install a system in bare soil, a professional installation in an existing lawn leaves very little trace. Once the job is done, we carefully backfill and reseed any disturbed areas. Within a couple of weeks, you’ll hardly be able to tell we were there. Most standard residential installations can be completed in just one to two days.
How Much Should I Water My Lawn?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The ideal watering schedule depends on several factors specific to your property, including:
- Soil Type: Sandy soils drain quickly and need more frequent watering than heavy clay soils, which retain moisture longer.
- Sunlight Exposure: Areas in full sun will dry out faster than those in the shade.
- Slope: Water runs off sloped areas more quickly, so they may require different watering strategies.
- Plant Type: Different types of grass, trees, and shrubs have varying water requirements.
A general rule of thumb is to provide your lawn with about one inch of water per week, including rainfall. It’s better to water deeply and less frequently. This encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making your lawn more resilient to drought and heat. Watering for a longer duration a few times a week is more effective than a short, daily sprinkle.
The best time to water is in the early morning, just before or at sunrise. Watering at this time minimizes evaporation from the sun and wind, allowing more water to soak into the soil and be absorbed by the roots.
How Often Do I Need to Adjust My Controller Settings?
Your lawn’s watering needs are not static; they change with the seasons. The settings that are perfect for a cool May will not be sufficient for the heat of July and will be too much for a crisp September. To water efficiently and keep your lawn healthy, you should adjust your irrigation controller at least once a month.
As temperatures and daylight hours change, you’ll need to modify the run times for each zone. We know that irrigation controllers can be confusing. That’s why smart controllers are becoming so popular. These devices automatically adjust your watering schedule based on local weather data, saving you water and taking the guesswork out of the process.
Partner with Greg Tanzer Sprinklers for a Healthy Landscape
Proper irrigation is fundamental to the health and beauty of your lawn and garden. A well-maintained and properly programmed system not only results in a greener landscape but also conserves a significant amount of water. Whether you need a new system installed, require seasonal maintenance, or just have a few questions, working with an experienced irrigation professional is the best way to ensure your system is operating at its peak.
If you’re ready to take the stress out of watering your property, contact us today. We can review your needs, answer your questions, and develop a plan that works for you, your landscape, and your budget.