Tired of dragging hoses around the yard?
Below are 5 things you should consider before putting in an irrigation system:
1. Where is your water source? If you live where water is supplied to you by the city or local community service, check and see if you need a separate water meter for your irrigation system. Cities typically charge for sewerage services based on the amount of water used in your home. If this is true in your circumstance, it will be less expensive in the end, to pay to have a separate irrigation water meter put in. That way your sewage rate is only based on what is used in the house, not in the yard.
2. What type of water pressure do you have? Does your water's current source have enough pressure to allow for irrigation heads to run in the yard? These are questions you may not be able to answer right away. I have found that a minimum of 45 pounds per square inch (psi) is needed. This information can get a bit technical, but just know, pressure is important.
3. How much volume of water do you have? You can have great pressure, but not enough water and your system will still fall short of your expectations. The size of your water meter will determine the gallons per minute (gpm) that you have.
4. Will you tackle putting in the irrigation system on your own? Putting in your own system is a very satisfying feeling, but let me encourage you to get someone who has experience to coach you. I have seen my share of systems where one misstep caused the entire system to be less than impressive. Consider using a drip irrigation for your shrubs and pots. This will save you money on your water bill and they are fairly easy to install.
5. Are you thinking of hiring someone to install a system for you? There are also a few questions to consider when hiring someone. What type of products will be used and why? A professional should be able to tell you what type of controller, valves, rotors, or spray heads are best for your landscape.
Is an after-sale service provided? A good contractor will be willing and able to provide an after-sale service.
Is there a system warranty? A professional's work should be guaranteed; usually a one-year warranty is typical.
Does he/she have references available? A good contractor will be able to provide you with the names and telephone numbers of recently satisfied customers, so you can call and check their references. I had a contractor once give me a list of the clients he had served for the last 5 years.
A good irrigation system will save you lots of time and money in the long run. Using the irrigation controller clock at first might look intimidating, but with a short 2 minute review, you will be confident and able to water your plants and watch them grow! Oh, and one more last thing, have a rain sensor put on your irrigation controller so that when it rains, the system will automatically stay off until it is needed again. Enjoy the growing season!
Tired of dragging hoses around the yard?
Below are 5 things you should consider before putting in an irrigation system:
1. Where is your water source? If you live where water is supplied to you by the city or local community service, check and see if you need a separate water meter for your irrigation system. Cities typically charge for sewerage services based on the amount of water used in your home. If this is true in your circumstance, it will be less expensive in the end, to pay to have a separate irrigation water meter put in. That way your sewage rate is only based on what is used in the house, not in the yard.
2. What type of water pressure do you have? Does your water's current source have enough pressure to allow for irrigation heads to run in the yard? These are questions you may not be able to answer right away. I have found that a minimum of 45 pounds per square inch (psi) is needed. This information can get a bit technical, but just know, pressure is important.
3. How much volume of water do you have? You can have great pressure, but not enough water and your system will still fall short of your expectations. The size of your water meter will determine the gallons per minute (gpm) that you have.
4. Will you tackle putting in the irrigation system on your own? Putting in your own system is a very satisfying feeling, but let me encourage you to get someone who has experience to coach you. I have seen my share of systems where one misstep caused the entire system to be less than impressive. Consider using a drip irrigation for your shrubs and pots. This will save you money on your water bill and they are fairly easy to install.
5. Are you thinking of hiring someone to install a system for you? There are also a few questions to consider when hiring someone. What type of products will be used and why? A professional should be able to tell you what type of controller, valves, rotors, or spray heads are best for your landscape.
Is an after-sale service provided? A good contractor will be willing and able to provide an after-sale service.
Is there a system warranty? A professional's work should be guaranteed; usually a one-year warranty is typical.
Does he/she have references available? A good contractor will be able to provide you with the names and telephone numbers of recently satisfied customers, so you can call and check their references. I had a contractor once give me a list of the clients he had served for the last 5 years.
A good irrigation system will save you lots of time and money in the long run. Using the irrigation controller clock at first might look intimidating, but with a short 2 minute review, you will be confident and able to water your plants and watch them grow! Oh, and one more last thing, have a rain sensor put on your irrigation controller so that when it rains, the system will automatically stay off until it is needed again. Enjoy the growing season!