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Beyond the wettest months of the year, property owners have to explore other ways to get enough water to plants in their gardens and landscapes.

This is where irrigation comes in. This process artificially brings water to plants. It plays a vital role because it gives property owners more control over their plants’ water needs.

Fortunately, property owners can choose from a wide range of outdoor lighting styles. The top choices include spotlights, step lights, flood lights, up/downlights, garden lights, string lights, and bollard lights.

Automated irrigation and outdoor lighting systems are reliable. In fact, they offer superb reliability because the system will carry out the designated function at the stipulated time.

You no longer have to worry about remembering to water your plants or turn on the swimming pool lights.

It costs $8,000 to install a sprinkler system on average.  However, you may pay as low as $5,000 and as high as $12,000 depending on the sprinkler system you choose, the size of your lawn, the difficulty of the terrain, and soil conditions.

Most companies install in-ground sprinkler systems with only the sprinkler heads on the surface. Installers dig a small trench around the landscape in most cases, but drip irrigation systems can run almost entirely underground.

You can install a sprinkler system yourself if you have the DIY skills to dig the trenches required and connect the various parts of the sprinkler system. A professional installation company can make the job easier.

Do you want to work with a full-service sprinkler installation company in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky? Call Expert Irrigation & Outdoor Lighting at {Phone Number} to schedule a consultation.

Some of the most common problems with sprinkler systems include:

• Spray head damage
• Clogs in the sprinkler head
• Sprinkler controller damage
• Pipe leaks
• Zone failure

Troubleshooting a sprinkler valve begins with an inspection for damage. Check for visual signs of cracks in the casing. Where none exist, you should consider resetting the valve to restore it to optimum condition.

Your sprinkler may not spray because of clogs in the sprinkler head. Problems with the larger water delivery may also be the problem.

There is no difference between drip systems and micro-irrigation systems—both run water through pipes with small holes to distribute water evenly.

Micro drip irrigation systems directly target the roots of plants to minimize water wastage. Experts design these systems to water evenly so that all the plants receive the correct amount of water.

• The biggest advantage of drip irrigation is saving water. It offers increased efficiency compared to traditional watering methods.
• The biggest disadvantage of drip irrigation is clogged pipes. However, irrigation services will easily repair and eliminate this issue.

• Backflow testing is the action of checking tap water for pollutants and contaminants. Though public water lines have backflow testing devices set up to prevent a possible pollution problem, they can fail, thus contaminating your water. 

A backflow system prevents the potential contamination caused by the failure of city backflow devices or a malfunctioning irrigation system on your property. These systems ensure your water is safe for consumption. 

You should ask a professional to install backflow preventers for your sprinkler system, boiler, ice machine, drip irrigation system, fire protection equipment, and any other water-using appliance. You should also invest in yearly backflow service and installation to keep your devices up-to-date. 

An irrigation startup is a process through which irrigation professionals make sure a sprinkler system performs optimally. Startups usually occur during late winter or early spring. 

Sprinklers should run about 30 minutes two days a week in the spring to saturate your plants’ roots with one inch of water.

It is better to run irrigation in the morning before 10 a.m. Morning watering sessions allow your lawn or garden to soak up enough water to quench plant life. Any excess water can evaporate throughout the rest of the day. 

We can winterize some sprinkler systems without a blowout. An irrigation system that consists of buried piping on a downward slope doesn’t need a blowout.  

We winterize irrigation lines by inspecting major system components for damage and mending any small repairs. Then, we purge the lines of any water through a blowout with a compressor. 

We prepare for a sprinkler blowout by making sure all components function appropriately. Then, we turn off the water main before proceeding to complete the blowout. 

It takes about 20 minutes to fully blow out most sprinkler systems. However, it may take more or less time, depending on the size of the system. 

You need to maintain an irrigation system at least twice a year with a cleaning and inspection. We recommend services three times a year: spring, mid-summer, and late fall or early winter. 

Irrigation maintenance solves current problems and prevents future ones. The average homeowner can easily miss a developing issue that an irrigation technician will immediately notice.  

You maintain a drip irrigation system by checking the filter each day. You should also flush the main, sub, and lateral lines regularly. 

An irrigation controller provides the user with a broader ability to regulate a sprinkler system. It also saves water and increases the health of lawns and gardens.  

WiFi irrigation controllers are worth the money because they save water and money. They also allow you to enjoy more freedom and can last up to ten years.  

Most residential properties need up to nine controllers. However, this number varies depending on the size of the property; some properties only need two. 

We drain an irrigation system by first turning off the water. Then, we inspect each component for functionality and damage. Finally, we completely blow out the system with an air compressor. 

You’ll know if your irrigation system is leaking when you have a higher water bill, pools of water around certain sprinkler systems, dryer areas of lawn despite thorough watering or lower water pressure.  

A sprinkler system should have at least two drain valves for every sprinkler valve. For some types of landscapes, more is necessary to facilitate proper drainage. 

Architectural lighting amplifies the beauty and features of a building or inorganic surface. The following are four types of lighting that can fulfill this purpose:

• Ambient
• Task
• Accent/Focal
• Decorative

Architectural lighting is important because it helps guide the energy of a space while clarifying a building’s or room’s purpose. For example, calm lighting can make shops more comfortable and easygoing, while sharp lighting can make museums feel grander.

Some examples of focal lighting include cove lighting, track lighting, and toe kick lighting. Always feel free to call us for more examples and light-related definitions.

Lighting techniques for landscapes include directional lights that focus light beams in specific directions, such as in-ground lighting, downlighting, and silhouette lighting. Deck and patio lighting are ideal for walkways, handrails, and hardscapes like outdoor kitchens, decks, and patios. 

Yes, expensive landscape lights are worth the investment for your property. These lighting features can give your property a professional, well-maintained visual appeal and make your home’s exterior feel more welcoming. 

The benefits of landscape lighting include expanding your home’s living space to the yard while boosting the landscape’s decor. The lighting can also increase your home’s property value because it enhances its curb appeal, safety, and security. 

You should place decking lights on exposed deck posts and stair risers to illuminate stairs leading to and from the outdoor living space. You can also install lighting within the deck’s surface around its perimeter to create accent lighting that adds to the space’s ambiance. 

Whether a deck should be lighter or darker depends on your preferences. It’s easier to clean and maintain darker decks, but lighter decks reflect light more to make their surfaces brighter and cooler to the touch. 

Ideally, you need one light for every six to eight feet of length along your deck for optimal illumination. However, your property’s ideal decks and patio lighting design may benefit from a different lighting scheme depending on the space’s height, size, and shape. 

Lighting maintenance includes planned services to ensure outdoor lighting systems work as intended. For instance, the system can malfunction due to damaged wiring caused by animals or exposure to the elements. Other tasks include the following:

• Repositioning and cleaning fixtures and lenses
• Inspecting and replacing bulbs or electrical connections
• Trimming plants around fixtures and more 

Is your lighting effective without causing unnecessary disruptions to wildlife, neighbors, or local ecosystems? For example, stick to the following guidelines:

• Only illuminate when necessary
• Avoid excessively bright lights
• Use warm lights
• Only install lights that have a practical purpose

Experts recommend that property owners arrange maintenance at least once a year to prevent debris, insects, and leaves from disrupting the lighting.

Common reasons for outdoor lights not working include the following:

• Damaged equipment
• Electrical problems
• Loose connections
• Malfunctioning timers

Before calling for new lighting installations or repairs, check the light bulb is working, the system has power, and the timer is set correctly.

Do you have electrical experience? If not, hire a professional. Working with electricity is dangerous, and a certified professional can help you avoid injury like an eye strain and incorrect lighting installation that could cause a fire.

Some homeowners can safely replace burned-out bulbs in outdoor lights. However, do not attempt to replace an outdoor light fixture yourself without the experience or the tools to do so safely.