Everyone dreams of a lush, green lawn free of weeds, bare spots, or dying grass. A healthy, well-mown, and perfectly edged lawn can inspire envy among neighbors. However, achieving and maintaining such a lawn can seem nearly impossible due to its demanding nature.
Once established, a lawn requires fertilizing, weed control, watering, mowing, edging, and raking to stay in top condition. These tasks are time-consuming, with watering often being the most demanding. Depending on the season, weather, and soil conditions, you may need to water daily, twice a week, weekly, or biweekly. Trees or gardens may require more frequent or deeper watering. For those with busy schedules, keeping up with this can feel overwhelming. An automated underground sprinkler system can simplify this chore, making your dream lawn achievable.
Watering stands out as the only lawn care task that may require daily attention. Automated underground sprinklers ensure your lawn, trees, and garden are watered on schedule without disrupting your routine. You can program them to water at optimal times, preventing over- or under-watering. No more dragging hoses or moving sprinklers, and you don’t even need to be present to ensure proper watering. Best of all, these systems eliminate unsightly hoses, enhancing your lawn’s appearance.
Selecting and Installing Your Sprinkler System
Choosing the right underground sprinkler system requires research. Compare features like timers, valves, pipes, and sprinkler heads, as well as costs. To select an appropriate system, know your water pressure in pounds per square inch (psi), the size of your meter or well pump, the service line size, and the water flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM). These factors affect system performance and pipe size. Local building codes may also dictate specifications.
Timers, or sprinkler system controls, vary widely. Some are designed for outdoor use, others for indoors. Advanced models allow watering different zones at different times, depending on their stations and programs. Investing time in comparing timers is worthwhile.
Sprinkler heads depend on your landscaping and preferences. Some retract underground when inactive, while others remain above ground. Above-ground heads can be cumbersome when mowing and less attractive, but systems with them are often more affordable. Common types include rotor heads, ideal for large, sloped areas, and spray heads, better for small, flat areas like gardens or flower beds. Some systems allow mixing head types for different zones.
You can hire a contractor or install the system yourself. DIY installation is labor-intensive, requiring significant digging and basic plumbing knowledge. If you’re not physically able or lack plumbing skills, hiring a professional—or at least a plumber for part of the job—may be best. Consider time, budget, fitness, and skill when deciding. If you’re fit but unskilled, you can learn the process. If time or physical ability is limited, hire a professional. A handyman may offer lower rates than a specialist, but verify their experience with sprinkler systems.
When hiring, check references to confirm the contractor has installed underground sprinklers before. Inexperienced contractors may abandon or botch the job, wasting your investment. Licensed contractors often provide warranties and have insurance or bonds to cover mistakes, so request proof of licensure, insurance, and bonding.
Planning is critical, whether you’re hiring or doing it yourself. Involve a contractor early if you hire one—they can recommend systems and help map the project. Always check for underground utilities before digging, as hitting them is dangerous, costly, and illegal. In some areas, a building permit is required, which contractors typically handle. Verify local codes to ensure compliance, determine pipe burial depth to prevent freezing, and avoid issues if you sell your property.
Plan your landscaping to determine sprinkler placement and timer zones for automated watering of different areas. A detailed project map speeds up the process and simplifies management.
For DIY installation, start by mapping the system with stakes and string, marking sprinkler head locations with flags. Measure to ensure adequate coverage, adjusting the plan if needed. Dig trenches 6–12 inches deep, depending on your area’s freezing conditions and system specifications. Use a trencher to save effort, ensuring level trenches to avoid gravity-related inefficiencies. Assemble the system, connect it to the service line, and test for leaks before installing sprinkler heads or burying pipes. Install a shut-off valve for the system to avoid cutting off your home’s water during maintenance. If you lack plumbing skills, hire a plumber for this step. Follow the system’s instructions to install sprinkler heads and timers, then bury the lines. Your underground sprinkler system is now ready to keep your lawn lush and vibrant.
