On a hot, dry southern NJ day, there’s nothing like waking up to your lawn sprinkler system watering your lawn so you don’t have to. A sprinkler system can be your first and last line of defense against a crusty, dry, weed-infested lawn.
At first glance, it has a single purpose: to properly hydrate your lawn, ensuring that it maintains the dense, lavish look and feel of a lawn you can take great pride in.
But if you really think about the purpose of a lawn sprinkler system, you’ll come to realize that it serves a greater good: It gives you the freedom to live your life without fear of ruining your lawn. Taking off for a week’s vacation? No problem. Don’t have the energy to get outside and move sprinklers day after day? Fine.
Take your vacation. Enjoy your downtime. And rest assured that your sprinkler system is doing the heavy lifting for you — drop by drop, it is keeping your lawn lush and healthy.
But before you can reap the benefits, you will need to undergo the exciting experience of a lawn sprinkler installation.
12 Steps to a Lawn Sprinkler Installation
It’s been said that you reap what you sow, and the same can be said for a lawn sprinkler installation. You will need to make decisions about the future of your yard and you will have to be willing to see your lawn torn apart temporarily. But if you’re willing to undergo a 12-step installation process, your lawn will be healthier and you’ll have more time to spend doing the things you love to do.
Step One: The Site Visit
No two lawns are created equal. Some have gardens with a lot of foliage, others have rock gardens. Some have sandy soil, others have rocky soil. Some will require creative problem-solving techniques to get the water over hills and around structures, others are relatively straight forward.
During the site visit, you and a technician from a sprinkler system installation company will evaluate your lawn and your water service. You’ll discuss decks, pools, sheds and new landscaping, which all affect the design of a sprinkler system. What areas do you absolutely want watered? What areas might you not want watered?
You’ll start to develop and design a sprinkler system that will work for you — now as well as in the future. By the end of the visit, it will be clear what type of system is best for your specific lawn and the lawn sprinkler installation process can proceed.
Step Two: The Markup
It’s amazing how much we don’t see, how much is buried beneath blades of grass. When your lawn irrigation contractor calls in your utility markup, all of the things lying beneath your lawn will become visible. Phone and cable lines, gas lines, electric lines — they will all be marked with flags and paint so that the technician has a better idea of what to avoid during installation.
In NJ, a single phone call to 1-800-272-1000 will notify all utilities to mark out their lines. Within 5 business days, the mark-out must be complete. All private lines such as electric lines to the pool or shed, gas lines to the grill or pool, landscape lighting, sump pump lines, septic lines, outdoor speaker wires, etc will need to be marked by your contractor.
Step Three: Permits
Speaking of government agencies … they really care about what’s going on in your front yard–especially when it comes to lawn sprinkler installation.
In New Jersey, specifically Camden County and Burlington County, all sprinkler systems connected to a potable water source have to be inspected by local officials, which means your contractor will have to apply for the appropriate permits.
Permits, of course, cost money. The exact amount will depend on where you live, but it usually ranges between $65 and $175. You will likely have to head on down your local municipal building to secure your permit. Once you get it, it’s time for the big day.
Step Four: Installation
This is the big day, and your lawn irrigation company will arrive early to get started.
Before the first shovel-full of dirt is moved, you’ll have one last opportunity to ask questions, clarify any points you’d like to make or change your mind entirely. After all, buyer’s remorse, while rare when it comes to lawn sprinkler installation, is something no one wants to deal with.
Step Five: Connecting the Plumbing
This isn’t the most exciting part of the lawn sprinkler installation (that comes later), but it’s necessary. So your technician and team of professionals will need access to your home in order to connect the plumbing. The good news is that by the time they step back outside, you’ll have a brand new valve in your house!
Step Six: Pipe Installation
Remember that shovel-full of dirt? Well, it will be moved during the pipe installation. Full disclosure: Your lawn is going to take a bit of a beating during the pipe installation. But don’t worry, in addition to shovels, your team will use a vibratory plow to install the pipes. The vibratory plow minimizes the damage to your lawn by slitting open the ground without opening too big of a trench.
Step Seven: Head and Valve Installation
When it comes to lawn sprinkler installation, pipes do the dirty work and heads and valves get all the glory. After the pipes are in, the team will start attaching the heads and the valves–and you’ll really start to see your new sprinkler system for all it can be.
Step Eight: Electronic Installation
Can you feel the excitement building? If not, you’re sure to feel the electricity once the timer is installed inside your home and the rain sensor is up in your gutters. In fact, this is pretty much the signal to you (and your neighbors) that the lawn sprinkler installation is complete.
Step Nine: Clean Up
The pipes are in. The utilities are attached. The sensors are functioning. So now it’s time to clean up the mess. Your grass will be raked. Trash will be collected. And your entire yard is backfilled and tamped.
Step 10: Testing
Now, it is time to test the system. Your technician will look for leaks and make any adjustments to heads and spray directions. Yes, you now have a lawn sprinkler system.
Step 11: Timer Training
Of course you’re going to need to know how to use your system. So before your technician leaves, you’ll be thoroughly trained on how to set the time, adjust heads and make sure the system is working well.
Step 12: You Get Your Life Back
No more worrying about moving sprinklers. No more dreading dry grass. Just you, doing whatever you want to do while the system delivers water to your lawn.
Photo courtesy of Hunter Industries.