A new irrigation system is a major purchase, and homeowners can easily be tempted to look for ways to trade down to save money on upfront purchase and installation costs. However, substandard components, improper installation techniques, and neglected maintenance that may save some money in the short term often lead to big – and expensive – system problems later. Understanding these tradeoffs and the future issues they may cause from the start is the best way to protect your irrigation system investment.
Cheap Irrigation Systems Cost More
A well-planned, well-built, and well-installed irrigation system works with high efficiency. Professional irrigation designers, such as those at Heinen, know what it takes to build a long-lasting and reliable sprinkler system, no matter the property’s size or configuration.
Heinen’s irrigation installation team carefully plans each installation to do the least amount of damage to lawns and landscaping.
Heinen’s irrigation team has 40 years of experience designing and installing systems for both residential and commercial clients. This extensive expertise guides the team on every sprinkler project, ensuring that each new system is installed with the most innovative techniques and the industry’s best practices.
To achieve long-term savings on monthly utility bills, the precise amount of hydration must be delivered through the sprinkler system on any given day. From understanding correct pipe depth and spacing requirements to installing all the necessary valves, backflow preventers, and control systems, the Heinen team guarantees systems are built for optimal performance from day one.
Heinen’s irrigation specialists only work with the industry’s top names when it comes to irrigation components and equipment, including Hunter and Rain Bird. They are highly advanced and tested components that are designed to withstand the harshest conditions of any season.
Cutting costs with inferior sprinkler heads or cheap PVC may save a few bucks in the beginning, but constant failures and replacements can quickly add up.
Hidden Costs of Cutting Corners
A poorly installed sprinkler system can lead to a variety of long-term expenses that far outweigh any initial savings.
1. Frequent Repairs and Replacements
Low-cost – and low-quality – sprinkler components can cost homeowners substantially through numerous repairs and replacements. Poorly made components made with substandard materials do not have the durability to last more than a few seasons – and are especially more susceptible to damage during freezing temperatures. And, because the majority of the sprinkler system is buried underground, sprinkler component failures are often not discovered until it’s too late, further damaging other parts within the system.
2. Higher Water Bills
The primary benefits of a sprinkler system include saving time and conserving water. A well-designed system delivers precise amounts of moisture to lawns and landscape – never more, never less. Systems that require constant adjustments or repairs eat away at the time “saved” by no longer needing to hand water a property. In addition, inefficient systems lead to unnecessarily high water usage and equally high utility bills.
Advanced sprinkler heads like the MP Rotator from Hunter deliver highly precise amounts of water and can be customized to meet specific zone requirements.
Achieving sprinkler efficiency depends on high-quality components, such as low precipitation sprinkler heads and smart controllers.
Low-precipitation sprinkler heads slow the rate of water being dispensed, allowing water proper time to fully absorb into the soil without evaporating (or worse, by spreading irrigation onto sidewalks and driveways beyond the intended watering zone).
Smart controllers, like the Rachio 3, combine numerous automated features to customize watering schedules down to the day. These controllers monitor hyper-local weather conditions and soil moisture levels to determine when a watering session should be skipped or delayed.
3. Damaged Landscaping and Foundations
Inadequately designed sprinkler systems not only rack up bills related to repairs and replacements of parts. Poorly functioning systems can also lead to costly damage to other areas of a property.
Inconsistent watering coverage can result in overwatering, creating ideal conditions for mold and fungal growth throughout turf and in landscape beds. This can damage or even kill plants over time, leading to expensive plant replacements and even more maintenance.
An especially important aspect of proper irrigation planning and installation is being certain to direct water away from foundations. Water that is allowed to collect and pool next to a foundation is a recipe for serious structural damage and costly foundation repair issues. Excess moisture works its way down below the soil, discovering cracks and then seeping through walls into basements.
Excess water can also cause wood rot, mold growth, and even damage grout between bricks and masonry – weakening the overall stability of the home’s base structure. The cost of resolving these issues can be shockingly high, and left unchecked, put a home’s value and resident safety at risk.
Work with the irrigation specialists for top-quality irrigation installations and maintenance.
Invest In Quality & Save Money
To ensure your new home irrigation system is built to last and saves money year after year, trust the design and installation to Kansas City’s leading irrigation team, Heinen Irrigation. The irrigation pros at Heinen have expertly designed, installed, and maintained thousands of high-efficiency sprinkler systems in the Kansas City – delivering reliable performance, saving water, and maintaining healthy landscapes for years to come.
