If you don’t have an automated irrigation system, you probably spend many humid Nashville evenings hauling out a hose and sprinkler to water the lawn and shrubs. Some people see that task as a pain while others enjoy the quiet time after a hectic day at work. The truth, however, is that both kinds of people are wasting water and may be damaging their lawns.
The hose/sprinkler technique is incredibly inefficient. If you care about your lawn, trees, shrubs, flower gardens, and water bill, you should seriously consider a professionally planned and installed irrigation system. At the Parke Company, we do more than tree trimming. We offer a full range of landscape services including all aspects of irrigation systems from planning to installing to seasonal maintenance.
Nashville residents are known for their sense of self reliance, and many may wonder why they would need a tree service company to put in a watering system. After all, it’s just a matter of buying the parts, digging a ditch or two, laying the pipe, burying the pipe, and hooking the whole thing up to a water source. Piece of cake.
Actually, it’s a tad more involved than that. Here’s the short list of what is required before you dig a trench or lift a piece of PVC:
How to Install an Irrigation System
Considerations
- What type of grass do you have? Some turfgrasses require more water than others.
- What kind of soil do you have? Sandy soil will absorb moisture while clay will not. Soil type will play a major role in how frequently you irrigate and for how long.
- Are you going to need a building permit in your community?
- What are the ordinances regarding irrigation systems, particularly backflow safeguards?
- Check with your utilities before you start digging.
- Does your community require a licensed contractor to install the system?
Gather Data
- What is your water pressure expressed in pounds per square inch (PSI)?
- What’s the size of your water meter and water line?
- What is your water flow rate expressed in gallons per minute (GPM)?
Map the System
- Use graph paper and make a “to scale” map of your property. Identify your house, garage, outbuildings, trees, shrubs, mulched areas, low and high spots, sidewalks, and fences.
- Once the map is completed, plot your irrigation zones and the location of sprinklers, taking into consideration “spray overlap.”
- Each sprinkler head will have a specific target. You want to avoid watering non-organic materials like foundations, driveways, and sidewalks.
- You’ll use this map to order parts. It’s important that it is as close to scale as possible so you don’t come up short or buy too much.
Of course, all this is just the planning stage. You are definitely going to need help identifying the parts you need and how to assemble the zones.
Even a relatively small lawn can wind up being a sizeable investment if the planning and implementation is done incorrectly.
Contact The Parke Company
Avoid that risk and the frustration and give the Parke Company a call for a free consultation. We’ve been in business in Nashville for over 30 years. We are the premiere tree experts and home for certified arborists. We have the professional staff, experience, and equipment to handle all your irrigation needs. Call us today!