Upgrading Your Sprinkler System for Spring: Homeowner's Guide

A sprinkler system helps keep your landscape healthy and hydrated. These systems are designed to automate irrigation, providing even water distribution around your yard while saving time and labor. However, parts of your sprinkler system could become outdated and inefficient over time, reducing your system's performance and lawn health. If your sprinkler system isn't performing as well as it should, or if it's outdated, it's time to consider upgrading it. Spring is the ideal time to upgrade your sprinkler system for maximum efficiency and water savings. Upgrading can increase water efficiency, smarter controls, and broader coverage.

In this guide, we'll discuss how homeowners can upgrade their systems to produce lush, healthy grass while reducing water waste.

Why Upgrade Your Sprinkler System

Here are the common reasons why giving your sprinkler system a spring makeover is the key to your dream lawn and garden.

Water Conservation

The most significant reason to upgrade your sprinklers is that it saves water. Traditional sprinkler systems run on set schedules, regardless of soil type, weather, or the unique water requirements of various plants. This leads to overwatering and water waste.

New sprinkler systems use precision nozzles, controllers, and sensors to ensure that every area of your garden receives the exact amount of water it requires, no more or less.

Convenience and Control

The old days of hauling hoses across the yard and hand-watering in the scorching sun are over. An upgraded sprinkler system with modern technology, such as smart irrigation controllers and weather sensors, provides the most convenient experience.

A system that adjusts the watering schedule based on real-time weather will save you water and time through effective operation. You no longer must worry about forgetting to switch off the sprinklers after a rainstorm or whether your lawn requires additional water during a dry spell.

Cost Savings

While switching to smart sprinkler systems requires an initial investment, the long-term savings are huge. A smart sprinkler system saves money on water bills by minimizing overwatering and adjusting for changing weather conditions.

Enhanced Curb Appeal

Sprinkler systems provide more than convenience; they also increase the value of your home. A well-maintained irrigation system is an important selling factor, and as technology advances quickly, what is advanced today will become normal tomorrow. Investing in a system upgrade today, according to your landscape's demands, is the best way to make your property stand out.

How to Upgrade Your Sprinkler System

Upgrading does not mean replacing the entire irrigation system. It could be as simple as replacing the nozzles on your sprinklers. The system may be worn down due to age, with some components requiring repair sooner than others. If you need a completely new system, it is worthwhile upgrading your sprinkler system to the latest technology available.

Here are some upgrades to consider for your existing sprinkler system to improve irrigation efficiency.

Invest in a Smart Irrigation Controller

Upgrade to a smart irrigation controller to transform your lawn watering and make your system sustainable with precise water distribution and conservation. These devices use weather data and soil moisture levels to automatically change watering schedules, ensuring your lawn receives the proper amount of water at the right time.

Factors such as plant type, precipitation, and root zone depth are used to set a base schedule. The sensors can then change this schedule to deliver the appropriate quantity of water, rather than just turning it on at a specific time and delivering a fixed amount of water daily.

Drip Irrigation System

If your garden has plants and shrubs that require precise amounts of water, consider installing a micro- or drip irrigation system to ensure efficient water distribution to the plants' root zones.

This method slowly drips water through emitters or small perforations in drip tubing that can be put underground or on the soil surface. Unlike traditional sprinkler systems, which spray water at a large distance, drip irrigation provides water directly to the root of plants, reducing evaporation and runoff. This targeted method conserves water and promotes healthy plant growth.

If you already have sprinkler heads installed in your beds and want to switch to drip irrigation, you don't have to dig everything up and start over. With DripWorks sprinkler-to-drip conversion kits, you can effortlessly convert your existing sprinklers into drip irrigation systems.

Low-flow and High-Efficiency Sprinkler Heads

Say goodbye to those wasteful spray nozzles. Upgrade your existing sprinkler heads with high-efficiency rotary nozzles, bubblers, and drip systems. Replace outdated sprinkler heads with high-efficiency ones to reduce water wastage while still providing adequate coverage. Older, less efficient sprinkler heads frequently spray water too quickly, resulting in runoff and wasted water.

High-efficiency sprinkler heads are designed to carry water more efficiently and deliver it uniformly across your lawn while consuming less water overall. They have adjustable spray patterns and flow rates that allow you to tailor your irrigation system to your landscape's watering requirements.

Weather Sensors

Weather sensors connect to your irrigation controller and respond to local weather conditions.

Basic rain sensors stop your irrigation system during rainfall. Integrate soil moisture sensors into your sprinkler system to precisely monitor soil moisture levels and avoid overwatering.

More modern sensors collect daily weather data and collaborate with your controller to develop the best watering schedule based on the present conditions. This guarantees that your landscape receives the appropriate amount of water regardless weather changes.

Replacing pipes

Underground pipes or tubing can crack or break, causing a leak that may go undetected for some time. It only becomes noticeable when water begins to gurgle on the lawn or when there is visible water. Even if you suspect a pipe leak, an irrigation professional can locate and replace the damaged part to restore your system to full performance. If the pipe was buried and crushed by tree roots, it may need to be moved away from the trees.

Replacing Valves

Sprinkler system valves may occasionally stop working or get stuck open, requiring replacement. However, it may be worthwhile to update your valves for additional features such as pressure regulation or flow control. If the old valve lacks a flow control feature, consider upgrading to a higher-quality valve with one.

The diaphragms in solenoid valves can also cause problems if they are worn, broken, or dried out, and the solenoids may have reached the end of their life. Valve malfunctions result in leaks at the valve, water pressure problems, sprinklers that do not switch on or off, and leaking sprinklers when the zone is not running.

Regular Maintenance

Don't overlook the need for regular maintenance to keep your sprinkler system running at peak performance. Regular maintenance ensures your upgrades function properly and saves you water and money. Inspect and clean sprinkler heads regularly, check for leaks or obstructions and adjust watering schedules as necessary.

Leaks, broken sprinkler heads, controller problems, and water spraying in unwanted areas are all possible issues that emerge over time.

Routine sprinkler maintenance allows you to identify possible issues. Neglecting it may result in repair expenses that outweigh the cost of regular maintenance.

The Bottom Line

Sprinkler system upgrades can help you achieve a healthy, lush lawn while reducing water wastage. It'll make your gardening experience more convenient and provide long-term benefits to your property and environment. Whether you invest in smart technology or use targeted irrigation methods, various ways available to help you achieve your sustainable landscape care goals.

Upgrading your sprinkler system with DripWorks high-efficiency sprinklers, nozzles, and controllers is a worthwhile investment in sustainability, convenience, and long-term savings. Smart irrigation systems at DripWorks make your irrigation efficient by adapting to specific weather conditions and delivering water precisely, promoting healthier landscapes.

Whether you are looking to reduce your water bill, save water, or only make your lawn care more convenient, DripWorks has all the solutions you need to take your sprinkler system to the next level.