Is one of the many questions I receive from Rain Rich clients. The truth is there is no definitive answer. I have systems I service that are 30 years old and I have replaced systems that were less than 5 years old (not my installation!). There are many factors and variables related to the lifespan of a sprinkler system, and the following is a list of my experiences and observations in the irrigation industry:
1. Quality of the components, the better the manufacturer and the grade of equipment the longer it will last.
2. All manufacturers make different grades of equipment for different economic markets. Always choose the better grade.
3. The irrigation design. Choosing the proper design, the correct pipe and pipe size, proper head spacing, the right equipment for the application, match the correct pressure with the equipment are important factors to consider before a shovel is ever placed in the
ground.
5. The correct installation. Installing 50 different components properly, at correct depth, according to manufacturer's directions, and clean and flushed will add years to the life of a system.
6. Equipment must be installed at sufficient depth to avoid damage from mechanical equipment above the ground. Lawn mowers, core aerators, edger's all do a great job of damaging irrigation equipment that is not installed deep enough.7. Trees and their roots kill a sprinkler system. If pipe and heads are too close or over time the tree gets big enough that it spreads out and grows around equipment and strangles it. It is a very difficult repair to fix a pipe that has a tree root wrapped around it.
8. Poor maintenance. The sprinkler system is not winterized and therefore water freezes in the equipment and damages components.
9. The sprinkler system is not repaired in a timely manner and dirt and debris work their way inside and eventually damage sprinkler valves and sprinkler heads.
When you compare the life cycle cost of a sprinkler system vs. the overall quality and maintenance, the better well maintained systems actually cost less and have much less service calls and replacement costs. The costs to install and maintain a quality sprinkler system are significantly lower than the cost to replace lawn, shrub, flowers, and trees. To learn more about sprinkler systems visit our web site at www.rainrich.com or call 631.423.2211.
