Irrigation System: Research your needs

In order to end up with the irrigation system best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of irrigation systems are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in an irrigation system.

Research the market: Irrigation System essentials

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the irrigation market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Area covered: The size and shape of the area to be watered determines the kind of sprinkler head you will use and the amount of drip irrigation hose you must buy.

Sprinkler head: Impulse, rotary, stationary, and traveling sprinklers spray in a circle. Oscillating sprinklers produce a square pattern. Sprinkler hoses work well on a slope and for odd shaped lawns. Both impulse and oscillating sprinklers cover a large area; rotary sprinklers put out a lot of water fast, but in a small area. A traveling sprinkler follows your hose like a little robot.

In-ground or Above ground: An in-ground system has a network of pipes going to sets of sprinkler heads. Timers control the valves that allow water to each zone in your landscape. The size of the zones is determined by the amount of water pressure in your household system.

Timers: Timers can be installed inside or outside your house. They are programmable and most have memory backup of some kind. Expandable timers let you plug in an expansion module rather than buying a new unit.

Ease of installation: A drip system is just a hose with properly spaced holes. A spray system can be as simple as a hose and sprinkler or as complex as an in-ground system with various sprinkler heads and timers. The simpler systems are relatively easy do-it-yourself jobs. A complex system may require the help of an electrician, plumber, or professional irrigation specialist.

Professional Installation: Irrigation system installers may not need a license. But electricians and plumbers do, so specify in your contract that only licensed professionals should be hired. Look for an installer with experience in the type of system you are installing. The store where you buy the system may arrange the installation or may have a list of recommended contractors.

Insurance: Be sure that your installer is insured. Does the insurance cover damages an improperly installed system might cause?

Warranty: Warranties may include both materials and labor as well as how long the irrigation system part lasts.

Price: A simple hose is inexpensive. A simple timer costs about twice what a hose does. A sprinkler costs about as much as a hose does. Depending on the size of the installation, an in-ground irrigation system can be much more expensive.

Research Your Needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in an irrigation system. For example, do you just want some sprinklers to water your lawns or do want to set up a system to do your entire garden?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I used an irrigation system before?
	If you have used an irrigation system, work out what you did or didn't like about the system. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

How big is the area you want to water?
	You may have a large lawn area to be watered which could use a spray system or you might have a flower garden which can use drip irrigation.

Will you be away from home when your yard needs watering?
	If so you can set up your irrigation system on a timer so you never need to worry.

Does your landscape have obstacles to the installation?
	You must consider driveways, paths, pools and perhaps a patio.

Are you able to handle the installation yourself?
	Some irrigation systems can be quite simple to install but others are more complex and may need a professional to install them.

How much have you budgeted for your irrigation system?
	A hose and sprinkler can be inexpensive but a fully automatic 'hard-installed' watering system will cost you a lot more.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of irrigation systems and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.

Video Links

Acclima automatic irrigation - Promo
A look at the features of the Acclima automatic irrigation system. (7m 18s)