Los Angeles Property Owners Guide To Irrigation Maintenance

Aerations Plus is your source for Los Angeles lawn care spraying as well as our range of lawn care services. No matter what your Los Angeles yard is up against, we have the tools and know-how to keep it looking green for good.

A huge part of lawn care is giving your lawn just enough water to flourish without giving it too much. In this blog, we’ll take a deeper look into lawn irrigation systems, the balancing act to avoid both underwatering and overwatering, and the steps you can take to make the most of your lawn’s irrigation system.

Different Types Of Irrigation Systems Meet Different Water Needs

There are a number of irrigation systems on the market for commercial and residential use. Some of the most common irrigation systems include:

• Surface irrigation systems, which distribute water over land using gravity, with no mechanical pump involved 
• Localized irrigation systems, which distribute water through a low-pressure pipe network
• Drip irrigation, which minimizes evaporation and runoff by drip-delivering water right to the plant’s roots
• Sprinkler irrigation, which distributes water across lawns/fields using high-pressure sprinklers placed in a central location 
• Center pivot irrigation (also called circle irrigation), which uses a system of sprinklers to pivot around a central point, watering a circle area around the pivot point
• Sub-irrigation systems, which distribute water across land by raising the water table through a series of pumping stations, canals, gates, and ditches
• Manual irrigation, wherein water is distributed manually using watering cans

For most Los Angeles property owners, a simple sprinkler system is enough to keep your lawn looking healthy and green. However, you’ll still need to strategize your use of your sprinklers if you want to minimize your water usage and save on your water bill. 

The Balancing Act To Not Under Or Overwater Your Lawn

Part of the challenge when it comes to lawn care in Los Angeles comes from the climate. The high heat makes watering the plants a delicate balancing act that can easily go wrong if you’re not careful.

Underwatering your lawn and plants causes them to wilt and die, leaving you with unsightly brown spots on the lawn and damaged, defeated-looking plants. First, an underwatered lawn will start to lose its deep green color and develop a blue-grey tint. The grass will be limp and will not bounce back if stepped on the way a healthy lawn will. Left unfulfilled long enough, the grass will turn brown and die.

While underwatering is bad, by some standards, overwatering may in fact be even worse. While dead grass can be replaced, overwatered grass can cause lasting damage to your lawn, ruining the soil beneath. Overwatering kills off microbes in the soil that are good for plant health, leading to weaker overall lawn health. And of course, overwatering leads higher than necessary water bills.

If you want to save both your lawn and your wallet, it’s essential to find a balancing act to keep your lawn adequately watered without going overboard. The best way to do this is by maximizing your irrigation system’s efficiency. 

Useful Tips For Maintaining Your Irrigation System

Want to get the most out of your sprinkler system and get more out of the water you use? Here are some tips to get you there:

• Keep your water pressure between 40-65 PSI to avoid internal wear and tear
• Replace any missing or broken sprinkler heads
• Adjust your sprinkler heads as necessary to completely cover your lawn
• Adjust your water timing schedule to facilitate seasonal changes
• Match your sprinkler run times to sun exposure

While all of these steps are within your control, it can be a challenge as a homeowner to get the most out of your sprinkler system. For the best results, it’s always best to contact a professional for help.

The Pros To Know For All Your Irrigation Needs

At Aerations Plus, we are Los Angeles residents’ local experts for all things lawn care. We offer extensive sprinkler repair and maintenance services for your home, and our Water-Wise program ensures we can maximize the efficiency of your home’s water use.

Want to keep your lawn green without a massive water bill? Contact Aerations Plus today for information about our extensive irrigation system maintenance services and find out why our Water-Wise Program is the perfect solution to get the most out of your sprinklers.