Making sure your lawn and garden are getting enough water can be a trying process if you don't have an underground sprinkler system in place. The process of dragging the hose and sprinkler head outside, strategically placing the sprinkler in the right place for all of the grass to get wet and then moving it to make sure there weren't any missed spots is becoming a thing of the past. Relying solely on natural rainfall to keep your lawn hydrated also isn't the most trusting process depending on where you live and recent weather trends. More households are now benefiting from an underground sprinkler system where all they have to do is set a timer and watch their lawn water itself.
There's a lot of prior planning that comes into play before an underground sprinkler system can be put in place. Measurements need to be taken, soil samples need to be collected and options need to be weighed against each other and sorted through. According to Lowes, a list of tasks needs to be completed before sprinkler installation can take place, either by yourself or a professional that was hired.
See if a building permit is needed for your location. Digging without a permit could lead to legal ramifications from the local authorities.
Contact a specialist to identify where your utility lines are located to avoid any damage. Before doing as much as digging a small hole in your backyard, you'll have to make sure you don't risk breaching any pipes or power lines, which could be costly for both you and the surrounding community. Also, do your research to find out if there are any local watering ordinances or regulations that require this type of work to be done by a professional.
Specific details about the water supply will also have to be checked before any construction begins, like the following:
Actually installing an underground sprinkler system takes more work than many may think given that most of the pipes will never be seen above ground unless repairs are needed. Mapping out where the system will go on a property has to include a lot of factors like the locations of shrubbery, utility lines, sidewalks and fences. Planning ahead, you'll also have to keep an eye out for slopes, so that water doesn't collect in one area and damage the grass, and which areas are most likely to get more sunlight or shade. You should also do your best to investigate which kinds of pipes you'd like to use.
After you've done the proper research into where the sprinkler line will go and gotten all of the appropriate supplies, it's time to do the digging. It's recommended the sprinkler system be built in its entirety before being placed into the trench where it'll then be covered by dirt and grass. Using a trencher is believed to be a major time saver with this part of the process.
Once installed and running, it's important to check your sprinkler system to make sure it's running at full capacity. The main things that should be checked on a regular basis are the amount of water your system is using, making sure that water is going where it's supposed to and that there aren't any safety hazards, like unprotected sprinkler heads that someone can trip over.
There are certain parts of sprinkler systems that should be checked monthly, such as adjusting the timer and cleaning the filter. Some should be checked less frequently, perhaps seasonally, such as turning on every valve and checking wires for damage. Things like replacing parts as they break should be done as needed, which can either be frequently or rarely, depending on the circumstances.
Without these routine checks, sprinkler systems can lead to serious damage to property. Depending on your home insurance policy, the damage done to your property may not be covered, either fully or at all.
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