Irrigation System Upgrades That Make Yard Care Easier for Busy Homeowners

For busy homeowners, maintaining a beautiful lawn and landscape shouldn’t mean constantly fiddling with sprinkler settings, dragging a hose around, or worrying about whether everything is being properly watered. But that’s exactly what can happen if you are running an outdated or inefficient irrigation system at your Memphis home.

You’re busy and you have better things to do with your time.

That’s why you might be looking for irrigation system upgrades for busy homeowners. Strategic irrigation upgrades can make watering more precise and convenient, helping you to spend less time managing your lawn or landscape and more time simply enjoying it.

In this article, we’ll talk about easy yard care irrigation upgrades you can make to maximize the appeal of your property with a lot less work. We’ll cover signs that it’s time for an upgrade, whether you’ll need to replace the system entirely, and how smart irrigation can make your life easier.

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Signs Your Irrigation System is Due for an Upgrade

Just because your irrigation system is running doesn’t mean it’s working efficiently or effectively. If you have an outdated system or something isn’t working right, you might not be receiving the full potential of your system.

Here are some signs that your irrigation system might be due for an upgrade.

  • Uneven watering: If you have dry patches or, conversely, areas that are always too wet, it could indicate that sprinkler heads, zones, or just overall coverage needs to be upgraded. Sometimes this also shows up as some areas of the lawn being greener than others.
  • Constant repairs: Are you stuck in a never-ending cycle of repairs? Repeatedly having to replace sprinkler heads or fix leaks can be a sign that it’s time to upgrade or even replace your system entirely. Continuing to repair small, individual problems can start to add up.
  • Overspray: Your walkways, driveway, or other hardscape areas don’t need watering. But overspray could indicate that sprinkler placement or settings need to be upgraded.
  • The water bill has spiked: Signs of a leak, such as a spiked water bill, can also be an indicator that your system is in need of an update.
  • You’re spending too much time managing it all: Maybe it’s not something with the system but with the time you’re spending on it. If you constantly need to be checking zones or figuring out what’s going wrong, an irrigation upgrade might take some of that work off your plate.

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Upgrade or Replace an Outdated Irrigation System?

You know that you need an upgrade, but will your entire irrigation system need to be replaced?

This generally comes down to how much of an existing irrigation system can be effectively reused in an upgrade.

Often, we are able to upgrade specific components while keeping much of the existing infrastructure in place. That might mean replacing an outdated controller with a smart controller or adding rain sensors. Generally, we do upgrade sprinkler heads and make improvements to zones as well.

But it will be entirely dependent on whether the existing infrastructure is still performing well. A complete replacement might be needed if there is damage, significant inefficiencies, outdated infrastructure, or a poor design.

A professional irrigation assessment can help you determine the best course of action. If you are going to invest in the best irrigation system for a home lawn and landscape, you want to make sure that you’re getting the full value. It doesn’t make sense to leave behind outdated components.

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Understanding What Smart Irrigation Can Do For You

When talking about upgrades that can make life easier for a busy homeowner, we obviously want to talk about smart irrigation system benefits.

Just like other areas of your life where you’ve probably found that smart technology has simplified things, smart irrigation technology can remove a lot of the guesswork around watering. It makes life easier.

Here are some ways that smart irrigation enhances convenience:

  • Automatic schedule adjustments: Systems with weather-based technology can make real-time adjustments based on the conditions. That reduces the need to manually change the schedule due to temperature or rain.
  • Unnecessary watering during rainfall: Nothing is more frustrating than having to remember to shut off your irrigation system because it kicked on during rainfall. With rain sensors, unnecessary watering during rainfall will be prevented.
  • Remote control: Many smart controllers can be monitored and adjusted from a smart device, simplifying the process even more.
  • Enhanced precision: Smart systems manage different irrigation zones based on watering needs, making watering decisions more precise.
  • “Set it and forget it:” A huge part of the draw for the busy homeowner is that smart irrigation uses a set it and forget it approach. Once properly programmed, the system handles routine watering automatically. Making automated sprinkler system upgrades makes life easier.

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How Irrigation Upgrades Reduce Landscape Maintenance

For the busy homeowner, keeping up with landscape maintenance is also an unwanted time drain. But one of the big benefits of irrigation system upgrades for busy homeowners is that it will reduce lawn and landscape maintenance work.

A well-designed system can deliver just the right amount of water to keep the lawn and landscaping functioning optimally. That’s because when lawns and landscapes receive consistent watering, they are better equipped to stay healthy and resilient, even through some of the intense weather conditions we experience here in Memphis.

Plants that are not routinely stressed by drought are less likely to develop problems with thinning, browning, or wilting.

A healthier property will also be better able to withstand problems like environmental stress. This helps reduce the need for supplemental or corrective watering…or, even worse, plant replacement. This reduces both the time and cost associated with caring for a landscape.

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FAQs on Water Efficient Sprinkler Upgrades

How do I know if my irrigation system needs an update?

If you know that you’re operating an outdated system (such as one that does not use smart irrigation technology), then it’s probably time for an upgrade. But there can also be red flags that help tell you it’s time like uneven watering, signs of a leak, constant repairs, and more.

Can a smart irrigation system really save me time?

Yes, a smart irrigation system can save time by removing the guesswork out of watering or controlling the irrigation via manual adjustments. You won’t have to regularly check the forecast or change watering schedules when adjustments can be made in real-time using weather data and sensors.

Can an existing system just be repaired or does it need to be replaced?

Deciding between repairing or replacing a system entirely can be complicated. Some factors that you might consider include the age of the system, the cost of the repairs, and the overall efficiency of the system. If you’re frequently spending money on repairs and not getting the results you desire, it’s probably time to make a change.

What happens if my landscape has different watering needs?

Over time your landscape WILL have different watering needs. It is a living and evolving thing. That’s why it’s important to work with an irrigation professional who can upgrade your system to adapt to its changes.

Can irrigation upgrades reduce water waste?

Yes, irrigation upgrades can play a huge role in reducing water waste. For instance, rain sensor technology can ensure that grass isn’t receiving more water than it needs during a storm.

irrigation tech service adjusting pgp-04 sprinkler rotary spray head

Choosing Irrigation Services in Memphis

If you’re considering upgrading or even replacing your irrigation system, you might be in the market for an irrigation service in Memphis. Due to the substantial need for irrigation here in Memphis, there are lots of companies and you have plenty of options when it comes to choosing. But it’s always important to do your research.

Getting the full benefits out of irrigation starts with proper installation. Since your property is unique, it’s important to work with a company that creates customized irrigation solutions. If you did not have a custom system installed in the first place, that might be a good reason for a total replacement. Again, it comes down to what is decided during an irrigation assessment.

Also be sure to choose a company that can offer irrigation system maintenance and repair. You want to work with an irrigation repair company that has extensive knowledge and training and can diagnose all possible problems, even across various brands.

At Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, we are here to help. Each of our installations is professionally and locally tailored to achieve the highest water efficiency and results possible.

In addition to irrigation design and installation, we also offer inspections and repairs, winterization, spring start-up services, and emergency services. We are available for all of your irrigation needs.

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At Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, we are truly here for YOU. This will help you let go of your worries and feel confident that you are in good hands.

Are you ready to talk about a smart irrigation system for your Memphis home? Reach out to discuss your irrigation needs today. 

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