How Irrigation Systems Work to Make Sure Your Lawn Is Happy and Healthy

If you’re tired of walking around with a garden hose to water your lawn, it may be time to upgrade to an irrigation system. But you might have a lot of questions, like, “How do irrigation systems work in the first place?” or “Will this save me money on my watering bills?” Irrigation systems can be water-wise and save you money, but only if you understand how they operate to make the most of your setup. 

What Is an Irrigation System?

An irrigation system is a setup that waters your grass, crops, or other plants without you needing to stand over them with a garden hose. There are different types of irrigation systems, like manual sprinklers, lawn sprinklers, drip irrigation, and flood irrigation. Certain types may work better than others depending on what you’re trying to water, the size of your property, and your climate. For many people, lawn sprinkler systems are a popular choice.

Parts of an Irrigation System

To understand more about how irrigation systems work, it helps to know the different parts of a sprinkler system. 

Controller

The controller is the brain of the system, and it sends signals to the valves to allow water to flow through or not. The controller, sometimes called the timer, is programmable, so you can set your ideal watering schedule through this box.

Valves and Valve Box

The valves, which control the water flow, are tucked away safely in a valve box. This box is typically buried entirely or almost entirely underground. The control valves are to allow water to pass through or stop flowing to the sprinkler heads, and if you have multiple zones of your sprinkler system, each zone will have its own control valve.

Other valves include the master valve, which shuts off the sprinklers when it detects an error in the system, and a water shut-off valve, which you can use to turn on or off the water supply to your irrigation system—handy to know when it’s time to winterize your sprinklers.

Some systems may also include a backflow preventer, which is a safety valve that keeps water for outdoor use from contaminating your home’s drinking water supply in the event of negative air pressure buildup in the pipes.

Pipes

Pipes carry water from the main supply line, well, or other water source through the valves and to the sprinkler heads.

Sprinkler Heads

The sprinkler heads are where the water finally comes out onto the lawn, usually dispersed into fine streams rather than one bigger, more forceful stream. The sprinklers sit on risers, which connect to the water pipes.

How Irrigation Systems Work

No matter what type of sprinkler heads you have on your lawn, lawn sprinkler irrigation systems all work similarly. The programmable controller has a timer that allows you to set what days and times the sprinklers will run. This controller sends signals to control valves, which will open when it’s time for the sprinklers to water the lawn. Water travels from the water supply line, through the open valves, through underground pipes, and to the sprinkler heads. Then, the timer shuts off, the valves close, and the water stops.

If you have a drip irrigation setup, this system has flexible tubes or pipes with small openings that are placed near plants. This allows a steady, slow drip of water to go directly to each plant, which saves water and money.

Irrigation System Benefits

Now that you understand how irrigation systems work and their different parts, you can start to see some major benefits of switching from manual watering to a less labor-intensive system. While irrigation systems still require some regular maintenance, like winterizing the sprinklers before cold temperatures set in, they can still save you a lot of hassle, especially in peak growing season.

Saves Time

One of the biggest benefits of an irrigation system is that it saves time on watering. Where you were spending 30 minutes to an hour a few times per week watering your lawn manually, an irrigation system will automatically do this for you. You don’t even have to be home for your irrigation system to keep working.

Saves Water

An irrigation system can save you water, but only if you use it wisely. Watering your lawn or garden manually with a simple sprinkler setup or garden hose can lead to more runoff. But by establishing sprinkler zones around your yard and setting a timer for your watering setup, or by using drip irrigation, your irrigation system can actually save water compared to manual watering methods.

Improves Plant Health

Different plants, even grass, require a certain amount of water to grow. Even if you can rely on regular rain in your area, it’s not always enough for your thirsty plants. With an irrigation system, you can set a schedule to make sure your plants get enough water. Just make sure to pay attention to the weather; you can rely on both rain and irrigation to water your plants, but be sure you aren’t over-irrigating your lawn and garden.

Cost to Install an Irrigation System

A lawn sprinkler system costs about $1,700 to $3,600, depending on the type of sprinkler, the size of your lawn, the number of zones you need, and even the brand you choose. Installing a system with multiple zones costs about $1,000 per zone, or you can expect to spend about $0.20 to $1 per square foot of lawn.

Even if you decide to try to install your own sprinkler system, the cost will typically run $1,500 to $2,500 for the supplies. Because installing a sprinkler requires digging underground and connecting to a utility line, this project typically requires permits and extensive knowledge to measure your household’s water data, such as the meter or well pump size, the water pressure, and the flow rate. If just reading that makes your eyes glaze over, it’s time to hire a sprinkler installation pro near you. The pros will not only get this job done quickly; they’ll also know how to do it safely.

Irrigation System Maintenance

A little TLC goes a long way with an irrigation system. For an irrigation system to work properly, it needs regular cleanings and inspections. Don’t delay on repairs, and keep up with annual winterizing to keep your irrigation system working like new.

Clean the Sprinklers

You should spray off your sprinkler heads and clean the filters inside the sprinkler heads about twice per year. This helps clear out grass clippings, mud, and other debris that can clog the sprinkler heads and keep them from working efficiently.

Winterize the Sprinklers

In late fall, you’ll need to winterize your sprinklers and insulate your outdoor water faucets to prevent freezing. If the water in your sprinkler lines or water pipes freezes, it can cause pipes to burst, leaving you with messy and expensive water damage.

Schedule Inspections

You should always keep an eye out for wonky sprinkler heads or water leaks around your yard, but it’s also important to hire a pro to perform an inspection once or twice per year. The inspection will involve checking for any damage or potential issues, and the sprinkler service pro will check that the setup isn’t wasting any water.

A yard sprinkler inspection costs about $115, but if you’re hiring a pro for sprinkler repairs or winterizing, an inspection may be included in the cost of those services. A sprinkler specialist or a plumber can help with inspections and winterizing.