Water Saving Tips for Your Irrigation System

Irrigation sprinkler systems are a great way to keep your lawn and landscaping looking fantastic, but unless you have a free source of water, they can really add to your water bill.  There are many ways you can help your irrigation system use less water while still doing an excellent job of watering your landscaping.

Be aware of the weather conditions in your area.  You don’t need nearly as much water during wet, rainy conditions.  In fact, you can actually do damage to your lawn, shrubs, flowers, and other plants by overwatering.  If your irrigation system is on a timer, be sure to adjust the schedule to take the current weather conditions into account.  Better yet, have a smart controller installed that automatically adjusts your watering schedule based on local weather conditions.

Schedule your irrigation system to water in the morning.  Less moisture will be lost to evaporation and the lawn will not remain damp for an extended period of time.  You shouldn’t water in the evening for this exact reason.  A lawn that stays damp all night is susceptible to disease.

Consider switching to a drip type irrigation system for plants and shrubs.  Drip type systems are more efficient than sprinklers because much less water is lost due to evaporation.

Inspect your sprinkler system for damaged sprinkler heads, uneven spray patterns, or spray that’s blocked by grass, shrubbery, or other obstructions.  Grass and shrubs that have grown over the years can block the spray and sprinkler heads can become partially clogged with mineral deposits.

Finally, check the system for leaks.  If there is a soft or soggy spot in the yard that never seems to dry out, you may have a leak in your irrigation system.  Have the irrigation system repaired by your landscaping professional.