Photo Courtesy of Hunter Industries
A poor performing irrigation system can threaten the health of your lawn and landscape. If you are having issues, it’s often necessary to call upon a professional to both diagnose and repair your irrigation system. There are many factors involved in irrigation system repair, however having your irrigation system fixed is well worth the expense.
Generally, we install automated watering systems, or irrigation systems, for a variety of reasons, such as to ease the amount of irrigation maintenance associated with having a lawn, or to ensure that we never forget to water our shrubs.
No matter what your reason for setting up an irrigation system was, at some point it will need to be repaired. Professional help will ensure you get the best work for your money, and you can rest assured knowing that the work was done correctly.
Factors Which Affect Irrigation System Repair Cost
There are many elements that go into determining irrigation system repair costs. Each repair is very unique because of the varying nature of each setup. Here are some considerations that will influence the cost of any repair:
Maintenance Plan
One of the biggest factors affecting how much you will pay for irrigation system repair is whether or not you have an annual maintenance plan. This agreement with an irrigation company gives you several benefits:
- Maintenance is performed on a regular schedule.
- You are entitled to priority scheduling when you have an issue.
- You often experience lower costs as part of the plan and you are usually able to pick a plan that best fits your individual needs.
- Having a seasonal maintenance plan will ensure a reduction in the cost of repairs, since small problems can be discovered before they get out of hand during routine visits.
Yard Size
When a sprinkler head needs repair or a zone valve doesn’t work or if there is a broken pipe, the cost for repair will usually be the same no matter how big the yard is. However, larger yards will have more heads, more valves, more piping and can take more time to find the problems. The more components there are, the more that will eventually need to be replaced. Over time, this results in higher costs. When an electrical problem is the culprit, larger yards are often more costly because there is a greater surface area that will need to be examined for discrepancies.
What Needs Repairing?
The size and extent of your issue will determine the cost. If you are simply replacing an existing head or valve because they it no longer works properly, the repair will be simple and relatively less expensive. If the problem is about coverage, and you find that your yard is either too wet or too dry, repairs are going to be more expensive. More heads may need to be added or removed, and zones may need to be split. If you have major issues and your entire system needs to be re-designed, then you may need to prepare for an especially large fee increase. Keep in mind that sometimes it’s more effective to start over with a new system or to invest in an extensive overhaul instead of dealing with reoccurring minor issues.
Landscape Issues
Sometimes your foliage can cause problems for the irrigation system. There are several areas here that could influence how much any repair project will cost. Is the problem due to growth of existing plants? Was the area re-landscaped with new shrubs and flowers? Was grass removed and a planting bed put in its place? Was a bed removed and grass put in its place? If you are solely dealing with moving a head here or raising a head there, the cost will be minimal. If the area needs to be re-designed because of major landscape changes then the costs will be much higher. When making landscape design changes, it’s important to remember the impact they may have on the effectiveness of your irrigation system.
Components
It is always possible to save money by purchasing cheaper parts, and this will ensure that replacement of parts isn’t costly either. However, you will likely pay a higher price in the long run due to inferior components in your system, and more frequent repairs. In addition, with better parts, you will always have a better guarantee.
Final Thoughts
If you have an irrigation system it will generally need to be repaired at some point in time. All sprinkler systems have many moving parts and just like any automobile, the moving parts will need to be replaced. Keep in mind there are many factors that will determine the cost of your repair. Have the job done right, with good parts and enjoy your landscape for years to come.