Several components can be vital to the design and long-term maintenance of a lush, beautiful landscape, and few are more important than sprinklers or irrigation systems. For those looking to install an irrigation system as part of their landscape, there are several important steps to consider.

At Aeroscape, we’re proud to provide a huge range of landscape contractor services around Salt Lake City, South Jordan, Draper, Sandy and nearby areas, including things like irrigation system installation, irrigation repair and more. Here are some of the reasons why irrigation systems might be preferable to a sprinkler setup for your lush landscape desires, plus some typical steps that will be followed when it comes to how to install an irrigation system – including those you may be able to perform on your own if you’re a strong DIYer, but also some others we strongly recommend leaving to the professionals.

Why An Irrigation System?

Before we dive into the installation steps for irrigation systems, let’s first discuss why they may be a better option than traditional sprinkler setups. First, due to their design and placement, irrigation systems are less likely to damage your landscape or cause uneven watering in certain areas. They deliver consistent water flow directly to the base of plants and trees, which promotes stronger root growth and overall healthier plants.

Additionally, irrigation systems can be programmed for specific watering schedules, meaning you don’t have to manually turn them on and off every time you want to water your landscape. They can also save significant amounts of water through their precise and efficient watering methods.

Partial DIY or Full Professional Install?

If you’re considering installing an irrigation system on your own, it’s important to determine ahead of time whether you’ll be handling parts of this process yourself or will simply be entrusting the entire job to our landscaping professionals. There are pros and cons to each approach:

• Partial DIY: If you have some basic knowledge of irrigation systems and are confident in your abilities, you may be able to handle certain aspects of the installation yourself. For example, you may want to purchase and lay out the necessary piping or dig trenches for the system. However, we strongly recommend leaving more complex tasks like connecting plumbing lines, installing valves and controllers, and setting up backflow prevention devices to the professionals.
• Full Professional Install: The safest bet when it comes to installing an irrigation system is to leave all aspects of the job to experienced professionals. This guarantees that your system will be installed correctly and efficiently, reducing the risk of any costly mistakes or issues down the line.

Step-by-Step Process

Here’s a basic rundown of the steps involved in an irrigation system installation, plus a word on whether each of these areas qualifies as a DIY-friendly section or should be left to the pros:

• Removing necessary sod: In the specific areas where you’ll need to dig trenches, you’ll need to carefully remove any sod or plants that are in the way. This is a DIY-friendly task.
• Digging trenches: As mentioned, digging trenches for irrigation pipes can also be handled by an experienced and knowledgeable homeowner.
• Removing old pipes: If your property already contains old irrigation or sprinkler pipes, these will need to be removed before new ones can be installed. This is a task that’s best left to the professionals, as it often involves the use of pipe pulling machines that require specific training and skill to operate.
• Marking utilities: One part of this job that will always require outside help is marking the locations of any underground utilities. We will work with local utility companies to ensure that these are properly identified and avoided during the installation process.
• Digging around utilities: Once utilities have been marked, they can be dug around. In some cases, DIY efforts can be included here.
• Leveling the trenches: To ensure proper water flow and efficient irrigation, it’s crucial that the trenches are properly leveled before any pipes are installed. This is another task best left to professionals who have the necessary tools and expertise.
• Installing plumbing lines: As mentioned, installing plumbing lines is a job that should always be handled by professionals due to its complexity and potential for costly mistakes if done incorrectly.
• Connecting valves, controllers, and backflow prevention devices: Again, these tasks require specific knowledge and skills that only experienced professionals possess. Ensuring that these components are installed correctly is vital to the overall success of your irrigation system, and mistakes here can be costly and time-consuming to fix.
• Laying out and connecting pipes: Once all necessary components are in place, it’s time to lay out and connect the irrigation pipes. This is a task that can potentially be tackled by confident DIYers, but we recommend leaving it to our team for optimal results.
• Testing and adjusting: After installation is complete, we will thoroughly test the system and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that everything is functioning properly.

Installing an irrigation system requires careful planning, knowledge, and skill. While some tasks can potentially be done by a homeowner with experience in irrigation systems, many areas should be left to professionals for best results.

At Aeroscape, our team of experienced professionals has the expertise and equipment needed to install efficient and effective irrigation systems. Contact us today to get started on your own custom irrigation system, whether you’re in SLC, South Jordan, Sandy or Draper areas.