In this article, we'll review some of the hottest trends and energy-saving innovations in the world of sprinklers, sprinkler systems and irrigation. Which one is right for you depends on your budget and the size of your lawn and garden. We'll also take a look at when to DIY and when to hire a professional, as well as how to find the best professional if you decide to hire.
When you think of irrigation, you most likely picture farmland. While it's true that farm crops do need and use large irrigation systems, a growing number of homeowners are turning to this method of watering for their lawns and gardens! It's just another form of sprinkler system, a bit more involved to install but more convenient to use.
Watering Basics
Watering your lawn and garden is a fairly simple concept. Depending on your local weather, the type of grass in your lawn and the type of plants in your garden, watering is pretty easy to figure out.
However, many homeowners are discovering that in order to water properly, it's much more convenient to have a system installed. This is especially true for properties with a large expanse of lawn, gardeners with many different planting areas, and households in which nobody is home during prime watering hours.
Installing a sprinkler or irrigation system can seem costly at first, but there are many different factors to consider. These factors offset the initial expense considerably, and they're a great option for green living since they actually use much less water than old-fashioned watering with a garden hose.
Sprinkler System and Irrigation Basics
A direct-connect sprinkler system is the most efficient way to water your lawn. These structures are very simple, although they do require professional installation since they connect directly to your main water supply, which is in turn connected (in most cases) to the city water pipes.
A connection is made to the city water supply already, unless you are building a new home. This pipe runs from the main city pipe into your home. A water meter is installed somewhere between the main city pipe and your home, to monitor water usage.
Between the water meter and your home is where the irrigation system will be started. This point will be marked with a shut-off valve, allowing you to turn off the water supply to your sprinklers without turning off the faucets in your home.
A backup-prevention valve comes next. This is a very important component of your sprinkler system. Without it, contaminated groundwater from your yard could potentially back up into the main water line entering your home. This could lead to water-borne illness. A backup prevention valve is a vertical section of pipe. Water goes up, across and then down into the sprinkler system. Gravity and a series of specialized valves work to help prevent backup. You'll need to contact your city building officials to determine which type of backup prevention device is required in your area.
After water passes through the backup prevention device, it is then fed to the sprinklers via a network of pipes. The size of this network varies depending on the size of your yard, and is completely customizable. If you have certain plants in a particular area of your yard which require more water than your lawn, you can install extra sprinkler heads in that area.
From the underground pipes, tiny sprinkler heads rise upward to the surface of the lawn. You've seen this type of sprinkler on the grounds of golf courses, or any other large expanse of lawn, where in-ground sprinkling systems have been typical for years. When the sprinklers are activated, either manually or via an electronic control pad, the sprinkler heads rise up and water your lawn and plants. When they're not actively watering, the heads retract, allowing you to walk across your lawn without hurting your feet, and to mow the lawn without damaging either the sprinklers or your lawnmower.
Types of Sprinkler Heads
Homeowners shopping for a sprinkler system are often surprised by just how many sprinkler head options are available. This is just one example of the innovations in sprinkler and irrigation technology. You can take advantage of the customized-sprinkler trend and water each area of your yard differently.
Traditional sprayers are the most common sprinkler head. They can deliver water in a wide array of patterns, from basic circles to straight lines. These are the most popular option for delivering water to lawns, and they can be further customized by the addition of internal nozzles which alter the amount of water distributed. Different brands have different levels of water pressure and coverage areas; ask your contractor or another professional which is best for your yard.
Rotary heads are the kind we all grew up with. Their familiar “ratcheting†sound is unmistakable, and they're still ideal for delivering water to a wide expanse of lawn. Keep in mind that they are much slower than sprayer heads, since they have to rotate back with each pass, doubling the time needed to distribute the same amount of water.
Bubblers are a very popular option for watering trees or large shrubs and bushes. These resemble the mushroom-shaped features at water parks, and they deliver water straight to the roots of larger plants. Like all other sprinkler head options, these can be customized to deliver water in a circle, semi- or quarter-circle, and the amount of water delivered is customizable as well.
Drip sprinkler heads are a wonderful way to deliver water without wasting it. especially popular for younger plants and garden beds, drip heads do just that...deliver water in a steady drip. This allows more time for the water to be absorbed reducing wasteful run-off. It also avoids damaging young, tender plants with a harsher spray of water.
The best sprinkler and irrigation systems on the market today feature fully interchangeable heads. Interchangeable heads allow you to further customize your system as your plants grow and mature.
Control Boxes...Time and Energy Savers
The control box for your new sprinkler system can be installed outdoors or inside your home. These control boxes are one of the hottest trends, since they're both extremely convenient and friendly to the environment.
The most advanced control boxes allow you to organize every aspect of your watering schedule. You'll be able to set watering times, of course. These should be set according to city water regulations as well as different times of day. Some plants are best watered early in the morning, and others should only be watered while receiving full sunlight.
Watering just part of your lawn is another great feature of the control box. In addition to the many practical uses, this feature allows you to create a miniature water park for children without soaking your entire lawn.
Weather sensors are a particularly impressive new trend in sprinkler system control boxes. Installed outside your home, these sensors are connected, either via wires or remotely, to the control box. They monitor weather conditions and stop or start watering accordingly. For example, on a very hot day, the system will water more heavily, whereas on a rainy day, it will water less or stop completely to avoid waste. You can always interrupt these automatic functions by pressing a few buttons.
Your water control pad will also come with handy features such as a map showing you which areas are currently being watered, the outdoor temperature, and a countdown timer showing you how much watering time remains (very handy when grilling or relaxing outdoors). You can also choose to install ground moisture sensors, which will let you know when the ground is moist enough that watering is unnecessary.
The high level of control offered by today's latest sprinkler systems is wonderful from a “green†standpoint. Instead of leaving a sprinkler on for hours longer than needed, watering your neighbor's lawn by mistake because the spray pattern of your sprinkler is too broad, or watering during the pouring rain, you can now precisely control when and how your lawn receives moisture. Certain methods, such as drips and bubblers, deliver water slowly, which minimizes run-off and maximizes your plants' water absorption. Aiming the water exactly where you want it, through the use of customized sprinkler heads, eliminates the wasteful practice of “watering†the sidewalk or street.
Not only is a high-quality sprinkler system a great way to save money on your watering bill by cutting down on waste, but it's also an excellent investment in the environment.
Can you DIY?
There are portions of customizing an in-ground sprinkler system which are suitable do-it-yourself projects, but the main installation needs to be done by a professional. There is a lot of intricate pipework involved, and this is best left to those with the proper experience. A mistake could lead to a contaminated water supply in your home, an ineffective sprinkler system or a damaging flood. In addition, many insurance companies and municipalities require by law that the work be done by professionals, due to the potential damage and the involvement of city water pipes.
Thankfully, finding a sprinkler system professional couldn't be simpler. Home-improvement website which connects homeowners with contractors is more popular than ever before, and with good reason. These sites allow you to choose from many different contractors in your local area, viewing their credentials and even reading client reviews before you make your decision. You can make it even easier on yourself by simply posting your project on the site and waiting for contractors to contact you with estimates!
Posted by: Diane
