Should I Get a Sprinkler System?
Maintaining a lawn is a lot of work. That’s something that nobody really tells first-time homebuyers. Whether you’re new to owning a home or not, you have a yard to manage. Even when it’s mostly rock, you still have to water the plants that adorn everything, and you have to fight weeds.
When you do have grass, the workload jumps through the roof. Even watering is a huge chore. You know you could get a sprinkler system and automate everything, but is it really worth it? We’ll explore the ins and outs of sprinkler systems to give you a better answer to that question.
Pros of a Sprinkler System
- Sprinkler systems make it a lot easier to maintain your lawn.
- A properly installed irrigation system helps ensure that the lawn is properly saturated with water each time the system runs. The result of this is that you’re going to have a healthier lawn after you have the system installed.
- Sprinkler systems are typically more water-efficient than the sprinkler attachments you put on a garden hose. That means they can save you money on your water bill.
- Sprinkler systems tend to last longer than garden hose attachments.
If your choice is between garden hose sprinklers and a properly-installed in-ground system, the in-ground system wins pretty easily.
Cons of a Sprinkler System
Sprinkler systems are great, but they aren’t the right choice for every situation. So let’s look at reasons to avoid getting a sprinkler system.
The first one you might consider is cost. Installing the system requires money up front. While that’s true, the cost is not as much of a prohibitive barrier as you might think. Because sprinkler systems often raise the value of your home and save money, they can be a sound investment. The real barrier is whether or not you can afford the up-front cost right now.
A more universal reason not to get a sprinkler system is need. If you don’t have a grass lawn, you don’t need traditional sprinklers. They are a terrible way to water trees, bushes, and flowers. For any such plants, you want a different plan entirely.
Alternative Option
An efficient alternative to an in-ground sprinkler system is a drip system. A drip system is designed to deliver water only where it is needed. The system is also scheduled to deliver only as much water as the plants need. This design dramatically lowers water waste. It also helps the water penetrate deeper into the soil, which helps the plants grow stronger root systems.
Drip systems can be trenched into the ground or left entirely above ground. They can be customized for the water needs of various plants, and you can use sophisticated controllers to deliver variable water volumes to different parts of your yard. They are the ultimate way to efficiently water your plants. They also automate things to make your life easier and give you all the advantages of a sprinkler system.
The Bottom Line
If you have grass, either a sprinkler system or a drip system is the best thing you can do for it. The grass will grow better. Your life will be easier. If you need help deciding between the two or you need an expert contractor to install your system, contact Andy’s Sprinkler, Drainage, and Lighting. We have years of experience, and we can review your lawn to make expert recommendations. We’ll install the perfect system for you so that your lawn is healthy and at least one chore is made a lot easier.