Installing an in-ground irrigation system saves you time and money and today's professionals can create an efficient design. Photo courtesy of TLC
The story is the same in almost every yard every summer. Sooner or later Mother Nature cranks up the heat, the grass starts to look brown, landscaping goes limp, and the homeowner is forced to drag out the garden hose and the sprinklers to revive what summer has wrought. Unless that home has an in-ground irrigation system that is, which can take the hassle out of landscape watering and possibly save water and money.
“People are working longer hours and have little time to water their landscape,” says Kevin Tucker, a designer with TLC Irrigation and Outdoor Lighting in Gambrills, Maryland.According to Tucker, residents will try just about anything to keep up with watering. “Some try egg timers, alarm clocks, and one of my customers used to time it by the 7 o’clock news. But all had more than one time forgotten to move the sprinkler or even turn off the water and walked out front to see water running down the street.”
That sort of inefficiency wastes resources, both natural and financial. Installing an in-ground system can be accomplished with minimal hassle. Though fall is a good time to install because the ground is pliable and installation can take place before grass goes dormant, a system can be installed at any time of the year and the turf will usually recover within three weeks. Based on the homeowner’s needs, a professional will create a design that accounts for what areas need to be watered—turf, gardens, or both—and what types of spray heads and drip lines will most effectively water those areas. Unlike sprinklers, which often end up watering the sidewalk as much as the lawn, an in-ground system will direct water exactly where it is required.
There is a variety of different sprays available. Photo courtesy of TLC
“A professionally designed system takes into consideration advanced hydraulic characteristics such as flow rate and pressure, includes them in the design of the system, and creates a system that enables complete coverage where it is needed in an even and efficient manner,” explains Michael Reeder, design manager for Millersville-based Chesapeake Irrigation Systems, Inc.
Automated systems are efficient because unlike manual systems—wherein someone still needs to hand crank the water out to the zones—automated systems have controllers that are set to water at specific times. These controllers are small enough to fit in a garage or garden shed and easy enough for most homeowners to operate. They can be programmed to water on specific days, at certain times of day and in certain areas of the yard. Some have moisture sensors so that watering is suspended if it is raining while other systems can be set to automatically water more or less during statistically dry or wet times of year. According to Tucker, he currently has a service that allows customers to have their irrigation system controlled from his office via the Internet, based on live weather conditions.
Usually the best time to water is before sunrise. “A properly scheduled irrigation system makes for the most efficient watering,” says Reeder. “A system, unlike hand watering, makes sure the watering happens at the best time and the water is being delivered to the best part of the root zone.”An irrigation system can be installed whether a home is on city water or a well (systems can be designed to take into account low-yield wells or the project can be scaled in proportion to water availability). Prices range dramatically depending on the acreage covered and the complexity of the landscape. For example, a one-acre yard will cost less to irrigate than several acres with meandering flower beds.
A quality professional system should last several decades. To find a reputable company, look for ones that are certified by the Irrigation Association and be sure the company and the designer are licensed by the state home improvement commission.
Rain sensors are a must on any irrigation system because they activate the sprinklers at the appropriate time. Photo courtesy of Hunter Industries.
“I would suggest that a homeowner request to talk with one of the prospective company’s representatives or designers before requesting them to come out and give a proposal,” says Tucker. “Ask the representative about their company’s history and the company’s level of experience. If [the homeowner] feels comfortable after talking with them, then have them come out and take a look at their property.”
Like a pool that needs to be shut down in the autumn and opened in the spring, an irrigation system requires some seasonal maintenance. Most companies will winterize and start up the system. “Over time, sprinkler heads may need to be raised or lowered due to the expanding and contracting of the ground due to temperature changes from season to season,” Tucker adds.
Christianna McCausland is a Contributing Editor for ChesapeakeHome.
Contacts:
Chesapeake Irrigation Systems, Inc.: chesapeakeirrigation.com or 800-750-5787
Hunter®: hunterindustries.com or 919-467-7100
TLC Irrigation and Outdoor Lighting: tlcincorporated.com or 888-PICK-TLC
