Most of us don’t give much thought to our sprinkler systems. Everyone expects the system to keep our lawns watered so we’ll have lush, green grass. It’s nice to have a great lawn for get-togethers. Viewing a well-kept lawn can be very relaxing.
Inspections of Texas wants to make certain our clients can enjoy their yard as well as their house. This includes the sprinkler system. Inspectors point out areas of concern that might end up becoming problems. This goes beyond just damaged sprinkler heads and leaks. Because most people don’t inspect every zone on their own, homeowners don’t always know problems exist that could eventually cost thousands of dollars.
One of the most common issues is water sprayed on fences. We’ve all driven in neighborhoods where the fences look funny because they have large arcs of discoloration shaped like a paper fan. Unfortunately, these fences don’t just look bad. Because the sprinkler system continually sprays these areas, the wood is deteriorating faster than the rest of the pickets. This all adds up to replacing the fence earlier than expected. Simple adjustments by people who work on sprinkler systems can save the life expectancy of the fence.
The fence is one of the least expensive items to replace. When the sprinkler is constantly spraying on the house it does two things. First, it reduces the life expectancy of siding material and increases the need for new paint. Second, water hits the house and runs down to create areas where it ponds next the foundation. Ponded water at the foundation may cause foundation problems in the future. The clay soil mixture in southeast Texas area may expand up to 300 times its size when wet. Eventually this pressure can lead to differential settlement and cracked slabs. Foundations are very expensive to repair.
Water constantly sprayed on equipment like the outside air conditioner system will advance rust growth (oxidation). Excess water may reduce the life expectancy of the electronic components. Just because the equipment is designed to be in the outdoor environment doesn’t mean it will not rust from daily watering.
Daily watering of grass and gardens is not a bad idea during the summer months. However, during the winter and the cool weeks of both spring and fall in Texas, every other day should be plenty of water to keep the lawn healthy. Many sprinkler systems have settings that can be changed according to the season. Check with your sprinkler system specialist for both the amount recommended per week, and the amount of time each zone should run.
These are a few of the reasons the sprinkler system is so important. It needs to be inspected every year to check for these and other issues. At Inspections of Texas, it is our privilege to be a part of the home buying process. We want our clients to always enjoy their yard. A nice lawn is one of the perks for owning a home in the great state of Texas!