While the amount of work that goes into setting up a lawn or garden irrigation system may tempt you to simply get it installed and be done with it, you really ought to document the process. Even if your system works admirably for years and you never change a thing, you’ll find that knowing exactly where all the conduits and sprinkler control valves are will come in handy later. Read on to learn why mapping out your irrigation system with the help of a Houston lawn care specialist is such a good idea.
1. Ensuring Coverage Efficiency
Mapping things out before you start ensures that you minimize the amount of water that your system requires to keep your lawn healthy. This may not be a big concern normally, but if your area suffers a drought or implements summer water usage restrictions, your irrigation map will help you avoid watering the same place twice so that your plot stays green and pretty while your neighbors’ are fading.
2. Getting More for Your Money
Figuring out where all your trees and garden beds are in relation to your irrigation system makes it easier to create distinct zones for plants that have different watering requirements. This will let you know where you need to use large-diameter pipes and wide-radius sprinkler heads. With proper planning, you’ll find it much easier to stay in control of your project’s budget.
3. Making Sure Things Actually Work
Picking sprinkler locations is one of the most important parts of mapping. Many experts (including our specialists at ABC) recommend that each sprinkler’s output area should overlap that of its neighbor by around 50%. This ensures that your watering efforts result in even growth.
4. Avoiding Other Installations
Mapping your irrigation system before you start digging is also the best way to avoid unhappy mistakes. You don’t want to wake up one day to discover that your sprinklers are spraying brown water all over your gardenias because you accidentally put a hole in your sewer outlet. Even worse, you could seriously injure yourself or others by hitting a gas line or underground power cable if you don’t have a map to cross reference with your property plan.
5. Preparing for Future Projects
Your map will also serve as important documentation later on. If you decide to expand your tomato patch with a new drip-irrigation system, it will be helpful to know where the existing valves are so you can just tap off of one. Similarly, building pools and other fixtures will be much easier if you don’t have to guess where your irrigation pipes are. To learn more about planning your system properly, or let the ABC Lawn Care Specialists help today!