Lawn Sprinkler Installation

Proper installation is critical to make sure your plants and lawn get enough water. Many lawn sprinkler system contractors will provide much lower prices than a licensed irrigator because they cut corners during installation. Beware of unscrupulous or inexperienced installers. To avoid calculating proper water pressure needed, they may start with a larger pipe than required.

Another way unscrupulous companies cut corners is by spraying the grass and landscape beds at the same time. This practice is common where landscaping beds are on opposite corners. They cover everything with one station rather than separating the landscaping beds from lawn areas and using two stations. Remember, grass and landscape beds need different watering time schedules. For example, flowers need more water than grass. If you have one station for both, you end up flooding the lawn and not receiving enough water for your flowers. This scenario also applies to shrubs and trees.

Programming your underground irrigation system is essential. Therefore, you must schedule your lawn sprinkler to deliver the right amount of water based on the season. Having a system that allows you to program for the entire year is crucial. This technology prevents you from adjusting the schedule every time the season changes. For example, in Houston, Texas, January requires 36% less water than June. To learn more about water requirements for your lawn in Houston, go to the page titled Lawn Water Needs. However, if you are the type of person that would rather set and forget about it, you should consider installing a smart Wi-Fi sprinkler controller like the Rachio.

Winterizing your lawn sprinkler system is an important task to protect it from freezing and potential damage. When temperatures drop below freezing, the water inside your sprinkler system can freeze, expand, and crack the pipes, leading to costly repairs in the spring. Fortunately, you can winterize your sprinkler system from home with just a few simple steps. In this article, we will guide you through the process of winterizing your sprinkler system.

Step 1: Shut Off Water and Valves

Begin by shutting off the water supply to the sprinkler system using the main valve, which is typically located near your water meter. If your system has backflow preventer valves, there are usually two valves that lead into the device, so be sure to shut both off. If your system doesn’t use potable water, it might not have a backflow preventer. Shutting off the water and valves is important because it prevents water from flowing into the system and potentially causing damage.

Step 2: Turn Off the Timer

If your sprinkler system runs on an automatic timer, turn it off. Some systems have a “rain mode” that allows you to power down the timer without losing any programmed information or settings. Using rain mode throughout the winter is usually safe and won’t increase your energy costs. When spring arrives, turn off rain mode, and the timer should work normally.

Step 3: Drain the Water

It’s crucial to drain the water that’s already in the sprinkler system to prevent damage caused by freezing and expanding water. The drainage method you use depends on the type of system you have. For systems with manual draining, open the shut-off valves one at a time and let the water drain out. For systems with automatic draining, run one of the sprinkler heads with the water supply off to activate the drainage system. Loosen the solenoid on each valve to allow air into the system and water to flow out. Avoid using the blow-out method with an air compressor, which can be destructive and dangerous. Instead, hire a professional to do the job.

Step 4: Insulate Above-Ground Components

To protect above-ground components of the sprinkler system from the winter weather, wrap foam covers or insulation tape around exposed pipes, the main shut-off valve, and any backflow preventers. This step is important because it helps to prevent damage caused by freezing temperatures.