You rely on your home’s sprinkler system to keep your lawn lush and growing during the warmer months. While that system can last for many years with the proper care and maintenance from your trusted Denver sprinkle repair professionals, it will eventually need to be replaced. Selecting a new system may seem easy enough, but there are a few common mistakes that most homeowners make that can derail your yard’s growth and end up damaging your lawn. Here’s what you need to know so you can avoid making those mistakes yourself.

Choosing a Subpar System
Just because a sprinkler system is newer than the one you had on your property doesn’t mean it’s better than the system you already own. Instead of choosing the first replacement you can find, do your due diligence. Research the manufacturer and see if any other homeowners have experienced issues with the system or the manufacturer. Pay attention to repeat issues and concerns and make a note of the companies that stand behind their products. This will help you avoid choosing a system that will be nothing more than a headache down the road. 

Not Paying Attention to the Manufacturer’s Warranty
Most reputable sprinkler system manufacturers stand behind the quality of their products. This means they offer warranties to help cover the cost of repairs or replacements due to defects introduced in the manufacturing process. Unfortunately, the warranties differ dramatically from company to company. Some last for just a few months while others can last for several years. This means you’ll need to read up on the warranty for each system you’re considering to choose the right replacement for your home. Look at the details closely. 

See what you have to do to maintain the warranty, consider how long it lasts, and familiarize yourself with any other requirements you may need to fulfill to use the warranty in the first place. Keep in mind that almost all manufacturers require you to work with a licensed installation specialist. Otherwise, you’ll void the warranty before the system is installed. 

Not Checking Before You Dig
Almost every house has hidden pipes running underneath the grass and landscaping on the property. These pipes provide gas and water to your home so you can use your appliances normally. Though convenient, those gas and water lines pose a huge hazard when you’re installing sprinkler systems. If you damage one while digging to inspect your current sprinkler setup, you risk both the safety of your yard and your home.

The best thing you can do is call your local utility company and find out where the lines are located on your property. Mark those locations out before you do anything deep in the soil. If you’re not sure what to use, pick up flags or spray chalk at your local hardware store. You can use these to show the location and path of the lines so you can spot them at a glance when you’re working.

Trying to Install the Replacement on Your Own
Though installing a sprinkler system might seem easy enough, it’s actually an incredibly complicated process. You need to remove the old system first and check all water line fittings and connections for wear and tear. Then, you need to successfully install the new system, hooking it up to power and water properly. If you make a single mistake, you could end up doing serious damage to your yard, your water main, and even your home. 

Instead of trying to install the system on your own, you should always work with an experienced professional and let them handle the installation for you. They’ll make sure the system works properly and, as an added bonus, will preserve any manufacturer warranty without issue. Over the life of your sprinkler system, this can end up saving you hundreds of dollars. 

Not Zoning the Sprinkler Heads Properly
When sprinkler systems are installed correctly, your yard gets broken up into different zones. Those zones determine which sprinkler head waters which part of the yard. When the heads are zoned properly, they water your yard the right way and with the right amount of water. You won’t have to worry about overwatering certain areas. 

One of the biggest issues that homeowners face when looking to get the system installed quickly is not taking the time to make sure the sprinkler heads are zoned correctly. When you hire an experienced installation team, they’ll take care of this for you so you can focus on using your new sprinkler system without issue. Keep in mind that not all installation companies provide the same quality services. You’ll need to double-check when looking for experts to make sure they’re able to install the system and get things tuned up properly for you.

Neglecting a Rain Sensor
Though the Denver metro area is known for being a sunny part of Colorado, it does still get a fair amount of rainfall each year. That rain can help keep your grass properly hydrated so you can water less often. However, if your new system is incredibly basic, you could end up overwatering your yard during rainstorms.

Whenever possible, invest in a system with a rain sensor built in. The sensor monitors moisture levels in your yard and automatically shuts the sprinklers off or cancels the programmed watering session if the soil is suitably damp. While it may cost a bit more money to install the sensor right off the bat, it can save you hundreds on your water bill over the life of the system.

Need to Upgrade Your Sprinklers?
These are just a few of the most common mistakes homeowners make when upgrading their home’s sprinkler system. The easiest way to avoid making them yourself is to work with an experienced installation team from the very beginning. At Water Solutions Sprinkler Service, we’ll help you find the right replacement system for your home and your landscaping. Don’t wait. Request a free estimate today and see the difference that a new, high-quality system can make.