If your next-door neighbor shares a tidbit about irrigation, it might not be true. Same with your brother-in-law.
Nothing against these guys — they’re a lot of fun to have around, right?
But there are a lot of irrigation myths spraying around out there.
Have you heard any of these irrigation myths? Take a couple of minutes to learn the facts:
Irrigation Myth #1: Water Daily
If you have an established lawn, don’t water it every day.
You want to let the soil dry out between waterings, which means water longer and less frequently.
Why?
You want your grass to have to search for water, sending its roots deeper into the soil. That encourages the roots to grow longer and deeper, which means your grass will be healthier.
Water deeper, longer, and not as often. That encourages deeper, stronger roots.
If you water too often, it encourages roots to hang out near the surface. Why should they head deeper in the soil to search for water when you’re serving it up so readily every day?
Shallow roots can’t handle the stress of a sudden drought or a summer lawn disease as well as deeper roots.
But this isn’t true for new grass. It should stay wet, so it needs several waterings a day.
Myth #2: It Doesn’t Matter What Time You Water
Actually, it does. Wrap up your watering as close to sunrise as possible. If sunrise is at 6 a.m., you should be done watering at 6.
Wind typically picks up as the day goes on. You don’t want your precious water droplets to blow away.
Also, the sun will cause your water to evaporate before it can soak into your lawn.
Irrigation Myth #3: You Can Set Your Controller, then Forget It
Nope. It’s fine when you turn your irrigation on for the season, set for cool and rainy spring weather.
Suddenly it’s July, 90 degrees, it hasn’t rained in two weeks, and you wonder why your grass is so dry.
Your controller settings are still working like its spring.
Don’t forget to update your watering schedule.
Myth #4: You Can Start Your System Up in Spring and then Ignore It
Well, you could. If you don’t care how well it works.
Your irrigation system absolutely needs routine maintenance.
Maybe you figure if you have spring activation and fall winterization service, you’re all set.
But think about all the hard work your irrigation system does all summer, during the driest, hottest days.
Doesn’t it make sense to have sprinkler system maintenance then, when your system works the hardest?
Summer can bring all sorts of potential problems. Sprinkler heads can get mowed off. Miscellaneous construction projects can damage underground systems without your knowledge. Plants have grown and are now blocking spray patterns.
Summer is also the perfect time for our skilled technicians to scrutinize your spray coverage when all your shrubs and flowers are in full growth.
Irrigation Myth #5: Spring Activation Means Just Turning on the Water
Maybe for some irrigation companies. At RainMaster, you get a thorough, multi-point inspection.
Irrigation technicians check every sprinkler head and valve, run each zone, and set your controller for the spring season.
You can rest easy, knowing your system is ready to get to work.
Myth #6: Brown Lawn Spots Mean Dry Spots
Not necessarily. A brown spot in your lawn could also mean a lawn fungus. If you pour on extra water, thinking that spot is dry, you’ll actually make it worse.
Irrigation Myth #7: You Have to Call and Schedule Irrigation Service
Not at RainMaster. You get automatic scheduling for your spring start-up, your fall shut down, and if your program includes it, your summer maintenance visit.
No need to call us. We’ll be there.
Myth #8: You Can Use Your Home Air Compressor to Blow Out Your Irrigation System
Noooooooooooooo!
Yes, you absolutely must get the water out of your pipes, valves, and heads before the first deep freeze.
If water freezes and expands, things break, and that means a costly repair.
We know what you’re thinking. “I have an air compressor. I could just do this job myself.”
No, you really shouldn’t. Your workshop or garage air compressor probably has a 100-160 psi. That’s high pressure, but not much volume.
For shutting down your sprinkler system, you need a wall of air to get that water out. It’s not about the pressure (PSI). It’s about the volume of air (CFM).
Most components of your irrigation system are only rated to handle 100 psi. If you use 120 psi you can blow them apart. Heads come flying off. Pipes burst. Panic time.
If you leave your compressor on too long, really trying to get all the water out, it can melt the gears in your irrigation heads.
How is our air compressor different? We run between 60-80 psi.
This is a job best left to the pros. There’s too much at stake.
Irrigation Myth #9: Anybody Can Do Irrigation Installation and Repair
Technically, yes. But not just anybody can do it well.
This is a profession, with training and skill required. You need an understanding of hydraulics and electricity.
While most people who work in the lawn care and irrigation industry are seasonal, we hire our team members on a full-time, year-round basis. Then, we invest in them, providing training and education.
You may not realize your installer doesn’t really know what they’re doing until it’s too late — when some of your irrigation heads are barely spraying water or spraying all over the place.
Myth #10: Just Wait Until Something Breaks, Then Call for Repair
Feel free — as long as you don’t mind waiting several weeks for that repair.
Good irrigation companies are booked at least four weeks out, and often longer.
Don’t wait until your lawn is in jeopardy. Focus on a good irrigation maintenance program to catch potential problems early and help avoid the need for repairs.
Irrigation Myth #11: All Irrigation Services and Their Programs are the Same
They absolutely aren’t.
They’ll all come to your house with pipe, valves, and sprinkler heads. And when they leave, water will come spraying out of those heads and water your lawn.
But not every company starts each irrigation project with expert design. Or focuses on sprinkler system maintenance so your lawn gets the right amount of irrigation, all season long.
Not every company ensures every inch of your lawn and landscaping gets the right amount of water, without wasting it.
Not every company sticks around to tackle a repair when you need it. Or even answers their phone.
RainMaster: Busting Irrigation Myths & Taking Away Worries
You want an irrigation resource you can trust to show up, deliver great results, and remove stress and worry from your life.
If they can bust a few irrigation myths, even better.
With RainMaster, you get three levels of irrigation programs designed to keep your system working properly from spring through fall: Peak Performance, Optimum Operation, and Efficient Essentials.
You choose the level that suits your needs and let us do the rest.
Your irrigation program should be designed to match your needs. Every visit is planned to optimize the performance of your irrigation system, reduce water usage, and promote a healthier landscape.
We make it easy from the very beginning. The details of each plan are listed right on our website, including the prices.
No extra phone calls or research. You know exactly what you’ll get and how much it costs.
Want to be confident about your choice for irrigation services? Request a quote today! We’ll review your options together so you can make a confident decision. Then, you can finally enjoy your lawn and stop worrying about it.
