Installing a lawn sprinkler system can be a great way to save time and money, but it's important to understand the effort and work involved. It's possible to install your own irrigation system if you're willing to put in the time and work needed to do it right. It all depends on the size of your garden. You'll certainly work hard digging trenches and connecting pipes, but every part of a sprinkler system is lightweight and easy to install.
Based on the specifications of your water system and the irrigation map, assemble the components of your sprinkler system. Sprinkler systems have a timer to water the grass at certain times of the day, which makes them very practical if you're away from home all day. Grass areas usually include standard sprinklers that disperse water in a circular pattern, while garden areas may require directional headers or even softer impact bubbling hoses to help protect the most delicate plants. An automatic irrigation system also allows homeowners to spend time away from their home without worrying about how or who will water their lawn.
If you're a new homeowner and interested in installing an irrigation system, the best time to do so is before the lawn and garden areas are fully planted, so be sure to work with your builder to avoid having to replant the lawn and garden areas after installation. A good example of this is the use of a soaker hose system inside a garden bed, where the volume of water needed for proper irrigation can be much lower than what a typical full-size sprinkler supplies to the main patio. Because irrigation systems allow a variety of sprinkler heads and hoses to be used in specific areas, the homeowner is better equipped to match the exact amount of water needed by plant types rather than relying on a “one-size-fits-all” garden sprayer. By using rain and humidity sensors, an irrigation system can also supply the correct amount of water needed for each area of the lawn and garden, helping to take all the guesswork out of the equation.
Installing a sprinkler system yourself is hard work and can be a little difficult if you've never done it before. For many, the convenience and ease of use of an irrigation system is reason enough to buy one, as not everyone enjoys the challenge of manually watering the lawn several times a week. Learning how to install a sprinkler system isn't too complicated, but it's very important to do it correctly. Depending on the system installed, preparing for winter may require more than minimal effort on the part of the owner to ensure that their system is properly prepared for a possible freeze, so if you are looking for a maintenance-free experience, you should consider this factor.
Installing your sprinkler system is feasible if you're willing and able to put in the work and time needed to do it right. Once you've verified that your system is flowing properly without leaks, you can bury or cover the pipe and enjoy your new sprinkler system.
