Lawn sprinkler systems can allow you to water your lawn with little to no time and effort, once installed. However, if you don't currently have a sprinkler system, you'll want to learn more about installation and use before you make any decisions.

Here are some of the basics to know about lawn sprinkler systems if you're considering having sprinklers installed for your lawn.

Types of systems

Different types of systems vary based on the type of sprinkler head, how the system carries water to the sprinkler, and more. One common type of lawn sprinkler system is an in-ground system, which uses buried piping to carry water to small and unobtrusive sprinkler heads.

Some of the types of sprinkler you can choose from to water your lawn include:

• Stationary sprinklers, which spray in the same direction all the time
• Rotary sprinklers, whose spray pattern spins in a circle or an adjustable fraction of a circle
• Sprinkler hoses, which are hoses that spray water out of the sides

If you don't want to disrupt your lawn by laying underground pipes, you can have your sprinkler system contractor help you design and install a system of above-ground tubing or hoses to carry the water to your sprinkler heads.

Installation process

For above-ground tubing, installation is quite simple: cut tubing to correct lengths, lay it out, and connect it. For an underground installation, the process can be a bit more labor-intensive. 

After the planning stage (which should include things like determining the correct pipe diameter for your water pressure and deciding how much water your grass needs), your contractor will map out where to lay the underground pipes. They'll make trenches, lay the lines in, make sure lines are level, then assemble the system before backfilling the trenches and replacing the sod.

Care and maintenance

Sprinkler systems don't typically require much care. Throughout the season, check on your sprinklers as they're running to monitor for blockages, leaks, and other malfunctions. You can also have a professional check your system occasionally to help detect issues and make suggestions about water efficiency improvements.

Whether you have an above-ground or underground system of hoses, you'll want to drain the system before winter. Leave valves open over the winter as well. If you have an aboveground hose system, you'll want to winter the hoses indoors somewhere for weather protection.

These are just some of the basics to consider before you start the process of planning out and installing sprinklers for your lawn. Get in touch with a lawn sprinkler systems professional today to learn more.