There are a few different key components that go into landscape maintenance, and one extremely common example is an irrigation system. What is an irrigation system, exactly? Knowing some basics here can be quite beneficial for various landscaping needs.
At Aeroscape, we’re proud to offer a huge range of landscape maintenance services to clients around Salt Lake City, South Jordan, Draper, Sandy and nearby areas of Utah. These include sprinkler repair and various other forms of irrigation repair, plus any other sprinkler or irrigation services you’re in need of. Here’s a primer on what an irrigation system is and why it’s important, the types of irrigation systems out there, and some of the benefits of each type that you might consider for your landscaping needs.
For those just learning the basics of landscaping, an irrigation system is a type of mechanical system that helps distribute water to plants and other areas of a property. In essence, it’s a way to automate the task of watering plants and lawns in order to keep them healthy and thriving.
While there are many different types of irrigation systems out there, most homeowners will rely on one or more forms of sprinkler heads for their needs – these are small devices that spray water across the lawn in designated patterns.
For many landscapes, especially in a dry desert location like Utah, proper irrigation is essential to maintaining healthy plants and lawns. Without regular watering, even the most drought-resistant plants will struggle to survive.
An irrigation system makes the process of watering far easier and more efficient, ensuring that each plant gets the precise amount of water it needs without any wasted resources or time on your part. This helps you save money on water bills and conserve precious natural resources at the same time.
While there may be some nuanced sub-categories here in certain cases, here are the four broad types of irrigation system to consider for your landscape:
As we noted above, by far the most common form of irrigation for homeowners is the sprinkler system. This system uses a series of pipes and nozzles to spray water over plants in designated patterns, and can be automated with timers or other devices to ensure precision watering.
There are several basic benefits of sprinkler irrigation, including:
A newer form of irrigation technology, drip irrigation involves a series of tubes that deliver small amounts of water directly to plant roots. This method is often used in gardens or smaller landscaping areas, as it provides very targeted watering with minimal waste.
The main benefits of using drip irrigation include:
In many cases, a landscape can contain both a sprinkler system and a drip irrigation system in order to maximize the benefits of both.
As the name suggests, this method involves installing irrigation lines underground, meaning that water is delivered directly to the roots of plants. This can be done through either traditional sprinkler heads or more modern methods like buried drip tubes.
The key advantages of subsurface irrigation include:
On the flip side, surface irrigation involves applying water directly to the surface of soil, typically through flooding or furrowing methods. This is more commonly used in large-scale agriculture or landscaping projects.
Some of the key benefits of surface irrigation include:
In many cases, a combination of these different types of irrigation systems may be utilized for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. At Aeroscape, our team can help create a custom solution that fits your unique landscape needs while also conserving resources and keeping costs down. Contact us today to learn about any of our landscaping services around SLC, South Jordan, Draper, Sandy and nearby areas of Utah!
As we move away from the hot Utah summer and toward the colder winter, residents around the state have to be thinking about a few basic property considerations. One important one for any home that contains such a system: How to winterize your irrigation system to prevent damage during the winter due to freezing temperatures.
At Aeroscape, we’re proud to offer a huge range of landscape maintenance services to clients around Salt Lake City, South Jordan, Draper, Sandy and nearby areas, including sprinkler repair and a variety of other services to assist with your irrigation system. Here are some basics on why it’s important to winterize the irrigation system ahead of winter, some tips on when to do so, and some basic steps to follow (either on your own or with the help of our landscaping professionals if needed).
Whether you have a drip irrigation system, a traditional sprinkler system or any other type, it’s crucial to properly winterize it before the colder temperatures arrive. This is because when water freezes, it expands – and this can cause major damage to your irrigation system if you’re not careful.
If there is still water in your irrigation pipes when the temperature drops below freezing, the expansion of ice can cause cracks or even burst pipes. This means that once spring arrives and you turn on your irrigation system again, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise as water leaks from unexpected places throughout your yard.
The right time to winterize your irrigation system will depend on a few factors, including where you live and the type of system you have. Typically, it’s best to begin the winterization process at least a few weeks before the first frost is expected. This will give you enough time to complete all the necessary steps and ensure that your system is fully protected before temperatures drop too low.
If you’re unsure about when exactly to start winterizing your irrigation system, our team at Aeroscape can help. We’ll take into account your location and specific needs to determine the ideal time for winterization.
Our next several sections will go over the simple steps to winterizing an irrigation system. If you have any questions or need assistance, our team is happy to assist you – just give us a call!
The most important part of this process actually happens at the beginning: Shutting down your stop-and-waste valve. This is the main valve that controls the flow of water into your irrigation system, and it’s crucial to shut it off before winter begins.
To do this, locate the stop-and-waste valve on your property (it may be in different locations depending on your setup). Turn the handle on the top clockwise until it stops – this should completely close the valve and prevent any water from flowing through.
In many cases, this valve will be located within a buried box for protection. If so, you may need to use a screwdriver or other tool to open the lid and access the valve. Once again, our team is happy to help if you have any issues here.
Once the stop-and-waste valve is shut off, it’s time to focus on any above-ground components of your irrigation system. This includes both the backflow preventer and any exposed pipes or sprinkler heads.
For the backflow preventer, use insulation tape or foam to wrap around the pipes and cover any exposed metal parts. You can also purchase a specific cover for the backflow preventer if you prefer.
For any exposed pipes or sprinkler heads, use insulation tape or foam to wrap them as well. You may also want to consider covering them with an inverted bucket or upside-down trash can for added protection from freezing temperatures.
It’s also important to drain any underground pipes in your irrigation system to prevent them from freezing. Start by shutting off the main water supply to your home and then heading outside to open all the drain valves on your sprinkler lines.
Next, use an air compressor to blow out any remaining water from the pipes. Be sure to follow safety precautions when using an air compressor, and if you’re unsure of how to do this step, our team can assist you.
Finally, if you have an automatic controller for your irrigation system, it’s important to turn it off for the winter. This will prevent any watering from occurring during freezing temperatures and keep your system safe.
Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions for turning off the controller, or give us a call and we can assist you with this step.
Winterizing your irrigation system is a simple process that can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run. By following these basic steps or enlisting the help of our landscaping professionals at Aeroscape, you can ensure that your irrigation system is fully protected during the colder months. Contact us for help with this or any other landscaping service around SLC, South Jordan, Draper, Sandy and nearby areas.
