Thinking About Installing a Sprinkler System?

Ask anyone in Georgia!  For the past several years we've experienced severe drought.

At times when no rain or measurable precipitation occurs our counties limit homeowner access to water when it comes to watering our lawns.

If you live in the south you know the drill....those living on the even side of the street are able to water for twenty minutes on Tuesday's and Thursday's while those living on the odd side of the street are permitted to water for 20 minutes on Monday and Wednesday's.

With all the rain we've received within the last several months, residents are rejoicing now for the first time in several years as both Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona are at full pool.  As a result the water ban has been lifted and water sports are again the rave.

I'll admit it!  I love a lush green good looking well manicured lawn with sharp edging.  I installed a sprinkler system about ten years ago.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to use it as consistently as I had planned -- due to water bans during the past several years within my community.  And, so far this year, we've had enough consistent rain that I haven't needed to utilize my system.  But....I know there will come a day when I will again be setting my timers and running my irrigation system during early morning hours.

Right now, I have clients who are in the process of building a home in a "new" neighborhood.  They've asked the builder to install a sprinkler system.   They're not alone.  With no water restrictions, many homeowners as well as new homeowners are again considering the possibility of installing an in ground irrigation system.

Having a perfectly manicured lawn starts with appropriate watering, and there is no better way to provide even watering than with a sprinkler system. While it sounds daunting, even an amateur can select and install a sprinkler system that will make his or her lawn and landscaping the envy of the neighbors.

Measure
In order to choose the most appropriate system, you need to start by measuring your property. What areas do you want covered? Is it just your back lawn, or your entire backyard landscaping project, including your gardens? Avoid any areas that have live electrical connections and measure the area you’ll need covered. You also need to consider areas where the elevation of the land changes or areas that receive more direct sunlight.

From here, you can sketch out a design layout that includes all the areas that need water, while avoiding landscaping design elements that do not need irrigation. Contact any utilities so they can inform you of any unseen concerns.

Under Pressure
Once you’ve established the areas that need to be covered, you’ll need to check the water pressure and flow rate. There are a few simple ways to do this. To check the flow rate, fill a one-gallon bucket with your hose turned open fully. Take the total time it takes to fill the bucket and divide it by 60 to provide a “gallons-per-minute,” ratio. This will help you determine the speed your sprinkler system will hydrate your lawn. At this point, you can simulate coverage by placing sprinklers on your property and determining how much area they cover. Make sure that your sprinkler system doesn’t spray onto sidewalks or driveways, unnecessarily wasting water.

Materials
Once you’ve determined the number of sprinkler heads, you need to cover your property. You can also determine the length of piping needed according to your plans. Other materials will also be needed–including a timer, valves, and pipe fittings. A sales representative at your local hardware store should be able to point out all the needed materials.

Installation
Consult your local municipality on rules and regulations on identifying all utility lines that may exist on your property. Most municipalities do not permit random digging without prior permission and identification. Once you’ve acquired the materials, you’ll need to dig the trenches that will connect the sprinkler system. Connect all the piping above ground so that you can check to make sure there are no leaks in the connections during all stages of system installation. An electrician can easily connect a timer if desired.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia and works predominantly in the north Atlanta metro area.  Call Sara with your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling process.  Sara is always happy to discuss market statistics with you.  Sara is easily reachable at 404-660-2481 or via e-mail at sara.hibbard@metrobrokers.com.  Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!