Some things you use regularly on your commercial property don’t last forever.
Without maintenance, they may not work properly, which just costs you time and money. But when you keep up with proper care, things can last longer and work better for you. This is what can happen with your commercial irrigation system. You may fix sprinkler heads occasionally after going through some regular maintenance, and you may even add zones or change things up as your landscape changes. But, at some point, you might need to make some improvements that work for you and not against you when it comes to targeting and saving water – and going easy on your budget.
Let’s review the different factors involved in commercial lawn irrigation system repairs and upgrades so you can better understand your options.
Many things can influence how long your irrigation system lasts.
Some experts say the life of an irrigation system depends on how well you’ve maintained it over the years. Some systems that are meticulously maintained can work well for quite a long time—think 10 or 20 years.
But just because your irrigation system is performing doesn’t mean it won’t require replacements. You’ll likely replace a sprinkler head or two each season or require some adjustments.
Low-water landscaping is dependent on many factors. These are the most common areas of concern where you might be able to make smart commercial lawn irrigation improvements.
Your landscape is certainly a part of the equation for saving water in landscaping.
For instance, the small trees planted on your commercial property 10 years ago are likely quite a bit larger today. The same goes for the shrubs and perennials. And, in some cases, maybe you moved some plants around or installed an additional landscape bed where you once had a lawn area. As such, your current irrigation system may not be covering an area adequately or maybe hitting certain things too aggressively while completely neglecting other spots.
In this case, when we assess your irrigation zones and make sure your irrigation heads are working properly, we may restructure some zones or install more energy-saving irrigation heads.
If you made some significant landscape changes – maybe you added an entire patio for employees to enjoy at your office park or incorporated a gathering or recreation area at your HOA, for instance – an irrigation expert can help you determine whether you need to adjust your existing irrigation system and what changes can help save you water.
Today’s irrigation systems and their components use much less water than those built 10 to 20 years ago. Older irrigation systems can lose 50 percent of their water to wind, evaporation, and runoff. Also, sprinkler systems on older systems were designed to overlap, creating pockets of wasted water. Sometimes, you may have zones that aren’t even working anymore.
That means a smart irrigation controller could be the answer to help you save energy and water on your commercial site.
Newer technology can factor in soil moisture and rainfall to avoid watering when it’s unnecessary.
Upgrading a commercial lawn irrigation system’s parts can help you avoid spending money on a new one.
For instance, you may have a rain sensor that isn’t working or hasn’t been replaced in years and is no longer helping detect rain and turn your system off to conserve water.
In this case, you want to replace these parts to ensure your system catches those Northeast Florida afternoon storms.
Irrigation controllers have also advanced considerably over the years. Smart irrigation controllers use data about sun, shade, soil type, plant type, and weather to improve irrigation accuracy. They can also be run remotely, making them easier to operate. This also ensures you can adjust your system when the weather changes to avoid over or underwatering.
The only way to know whether your commercial lawn irrigation system is wasting water or needs a repair is to have it assessed and checked.
Taylor Anthony 365 recommends monthly irrigation system evaluations to catch problems before they become bigger and more expensive repairs and to readjust irrigation timing and frequency based on the weather. At the very minimum, you want to do this quarterly.
But like any mechanism you use, commercial lawn irrigation systems require routine maintenance and care. In addition to regular adjustments, you may wonder how to accurately assess your irrigation situation.
You want to keep your business landscape green and growing, maintaining a vibrant and lush look that attracts customers, tenants, and visitors and makes your property competitive in your local market.
From swapping parts to installing a smart irrigation controller, it’s important to know how your irrigation system performs and what options you have for reducing water use. An irrigation system that saves water and works as efficiently as possible can boost your aesthetic appeal and save you time and money, boosting your business’s reputation and appeal.
But it can be confusing. If your current system isn’t effective or you’re losing valuable plant material because it’s not watering them properly, you may be frustrated.
We get it. Irrigation systems can be complicated. You're likely not alone if you’re scratching your head about what to do. It’s not an easy system to assess.
Let Taylor Anthony 365’s irrigation experts help. We can inspect your irrigation system and assess how your repairs are performing and what an upgrade could do for your commercial property.
Ready to learn why Taylor Anthony 365 could be your choice for professional commercial irrigation in Northeast Florida? We’d love to learn more about you. Get started today with a free consultation. Together, we can prepare a custom plan that meets your commercial facility's watering needs.