Exploring the benefits of irrigation, some of the common spring start-up problems, and our recommendations to maximize your irrigation investment.
## Why Install an Irrigation System?
Installing an irrigation system will help you create beautiful, healthy lawns and gardens while saving you time and money:
– Ensures your lawn receives the right amount of water – not too much nor too little
– A healthy and well watered lawn prevents the growth of weeds
– Keeps your annuals alive in the heat of summer
– An irrigation system is more cost effective than hand watering
– Allows you to spend your valuable time pursuing more enjoyable activities
– Increases the value of your property
## Common Spring Start-Up Problems
Poor over-wintering of irrigation equipment causes the majority of problems you may encounter when you start up your irrigation system in the spring, including:
– damage to irrigation heads
– broken plumbing feeds
– wiring problems
In addition to overwintering problems, irrigation systems can be damaged during snow removal, while core aerating your lawns and you may find rodents have damaged the wiring.
## Maximizing your Irrigation Investment
Your irrigation and maintenance contractors need to work together to ensure you are getting the most out of your irrigation system.
### Your irrigation contractor should:
– Visit your property monthly to adjust the programming according to the season
– Install a weather station controlled Smart Controller whose programming automatically changes with the weather
– Flag your irrigation heads during start up to avoid damage during core aeration of your lawn
– Shut down/winterize your irrigation system properly to avoid and minimize problems during spring start-up
– Stake the curbs and edges of the lane ways in the fall to help reduce damage during snow removal
### Your landscape contractor should:
– Maintain regular contact with your irrigation provider and notify them immediately if they find any problems with the system or areas that are being improperly watered
– Bring any irrigation problems or issues to your attention immediately
– If your snow removal and irrigation services are provided by the same company they should cover any repairs required due to damages during snow removal
More information about Irrigation can be found on our [Water Management](https://gelderman.com/commercial/irrigation) page.
