Our professional staff is here to answer all of your questions. Below you will find answers to a few of our most commonly asked questions.
How much does an irrigation system cost?
The cost of an irrigation system varies greatly depending on the size of your lawn, the amount of landscaping you have, the size of your home, grade and other issues. The only way for us to give an accurate estimate is to come to your location for an estimate, which we will happily do if you contact us.
Does a lawn irrigation system really save water?
If you water your lawn regularly, then yes, absolutely. Most hose-end sprinklers allow for more water than is necessary and don't do as well to evenly distribute the water based on the distance they are required to cover. As such, people who use hose-end sprinklers tend to waste water through needing to overlap areas, water their street and driveway, the side of their home, etc. An irrigation system has heads with a more even distribution. Timer-based early morning watering results in less evaporation and loss to wind. There is very little overlap, and the multiple heads with diverse controls means no water wasted on sidewalks, driveways, roads, etc. Of course, your system must be programmed properly, which we would help you do.
I have a nice lawn. How much damage will you do putting in an irrigation system?
We'll do less damage to your lawn than the local cable company does when laying cable to your home. We are extremely careful and have the right trenching equipment to make sure your lawn and topsoil is returned and unscathed by our process. You'll never know we've been there (except for never having to worry about watering your lawn again, that is!), and within a couple of weeks, your lawn will look better than ever!
I have a well. Can I still get an irrigation system?
Absolutely. In fact, we strongly suggest it to help further control your water usage.
Will I need to raise my lawnmower setting to avoid doing damage to the sprinklers?
No you shouldn't. At rest, sprinkler heads sit barely above ground level. The only thing we would suggest is to check your sprinkler heads before mowing to make sure they have all dropped. Sometimes dirt or other obstructions can stop them from dropping back down. If there is an obstruction, see if you can gently clear it away. No sprinkler head should be forced down, so if you have trouble, we suggest you call us.
What's the difference between a spray head and a rotary (or rotor) head?
A spray sprinkler head has a high application rate, which means it discharges a large amount of water in a short period of time. They are most often used on flat surface lawns where water applies will not run but rather soak in. The benefit of these heads is that you will require shorter periods of time to water. A rotary sprinkler head has a lower application rate, which means that even on sloped ground, you will not waste water by it running down the hill. However, rotor sprinkler heads mean a single application will take longer.
Does soil type affect lawn irrigation systems?
Yes. For example, if you have sandy soil, you will need to water more often. However, if you water too much at once, you'll waste water since, because of the porous nature of the soil, water will run right past the root system before it can be taken in by your lawn. In contrast, a soil rich in clay should be watered less frequently since it has a high water retention rate. If you water too much, you can drown your grass roots. For these and many more reasons, RainMaster takes special time to examine your lawn's slope, soil type, and many more factors before coming up with the right design for your irrigation system. Trust us, though, we'll set up the perfect system for your location and help you program the proper water treatment. We take all pertinent factors into account when designing a new system.
What happens if we aren't home and it rains?
Our irrigation systems all come with rain sensors, so you have no worries. Your irrigation system will always monitor the amount of rain your lawn receives and only water when it is needed.
Everything was done in a Professional manner & exceeded my expectations. All the employees of RainMaster were friendly & well trained.