Choosing The Correct Sprinkler System For Your Lawn
Written by Elizabeth Wood
Editor In Chief, United Home Improvement

How many of you are enthusiastic about dragging out the old hose and attacking your lawn day after day to get that fresh green appeal? My guess is that, yes, the job needs to get done, but no, you are not enthusiastic about doing it. For those of you who are currently managing your own lawn care, installing a sprinkler system might just put a huge smile on your face.

Sprinkler systems offer an array of benefits. After installation, the first thing you will notice is that your system conserves water and saves you time and effort. Certain systems are equipped with rain sensors that will shut off the system, saving water. This will result in reduced water bills. This built-in time management capability allows you to control when the system turns on and off, almost as if you were doing it yourself. The simplicity and effectiveness of an automatic irrigation system will amaze you.

Sprinkler systems also contain spray heads that will keep water off walk ways and spray evenly on important areas like grass and plants. To increase watering efficiency, automatic timers are included in the system. There is no doubt that an automatic irrigation system will create a beautiful landscape for you and your neighbors to adore. And let us not forget that it will add value to your home!

There are three main types of sprinkler spray heads; rotor, spray and drip. Rotors are a good choice for large areas, sprays are typically used for smaller areas, and drips are wonderful for non-turf areas. Drip systems are also the cheapest and easiest to install, however, the underground systems are more common, especially in northern areas. For help on deciding which spray head is right for your yard, a professional landscape contractor can assist you.

Certain plumbers can be hired to install sprinkler systems, but they typically do not have the expertise that a landscape contractor has. If you plan to install a sprinkler system yourself, make sure to do your homework. When selecting a sprinkler system important elements of your yard should be reviewed such as soil type, water pressure, yard dimensions and design, and the focus of irrigation.

For those of you that already have a system installed, make sure you are keeping up with maintenance. When sprinkler systems are neglected, they tend to have seriously damaging effects on your lawn. It is important to give your sprinkler system regular check-ups to ensure that water isn't being wasted, there are no leaks, and that the pressure is working correctly. High pressures can result in damages to your systems nozzles, heads, and valves. A landscape professional can assist you in checking for the proper pressure. Depending on where you purchase your system, often a prepaid maintenance service is included.

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