The Hidden Cost of Delaying Irrigation Maintenance

We’ve been fortunate to enjoy a rainy spring in North Texas! A little extra rain in spring can help plants not only keeps your landscape looking beautiful and green, it also helps lower irrigation costs. This year it’s especially beneficial as many properties are looking for ways to reduce costs during COVID-19.

While the extra water is a great help to offset cost, a rainy season can also mask potential irrigation issues. It’s important to have your irrigation system checked – and repaired – before the stifling dry heat of July and August hits. Once the ground is dry, the damage is already done.

While delaying irrigation repairs can seem like a short-term money saver, there are significant and costly issues that can crop up if you don’t properly maintain your system.

Water Waste

Now, more than ever, we are aware of how important it is to save water. Water prices have increased dramatically over the past decade as earth’s most valuable resource has struggled to meet the current demand in our growing metropolitan areas.

When it comes to irrigation systems, water waste is about more than repairing broken pipes. Your landscaper should also inspect your spray heads to ensure they’re in proper working order and pointing in the right direction for maximum efficiency.

Erosion

Too much water can be just as damaging as too little water.  If you don’t water properly often enough, your landscape will dry out. Properties that aren’t well irrigated are more prone to bare areas and erosion – and those cost a significant amount to get back to normal.

However, erosion is more than a visual appeal issue. It can cause serious liability concerns. Plants are often strategically planted to provide shade, hold dirt in place, and provide oxygen to the surrounding area. Erosion affects not only the appearance of the landscape but may also compromise the safety of certain areas around your property.

Foundation Problems and Property Decline

Texas soil is mostly clay, and that clay needs a consistent amount of water to hold it in place. When a landscape isn’t properly watered, buildings are at risk for foundation issues due to dehydration in the dirt. If you think repairing an irrigation system is expensive, you should see the cost of foundation repair!

We’ve seen brand new properties decline in 5-6 years simply because irrigation wasn’t properly maintained. The long-term financial loss could have been avoided with some simple repairs and monthly maintenance.

Protect Your Capital Investment from Costly Repairs

Irrigation is a vast underground system and 99% is plastic. PVC plastic. It’s a significant investment for any property, and therefore needs to be maintained on a monthly basis.

Imagine this scenario: you have a mainline leak and decide to delay the repair for a few months because we’ve had plenty of rain and the sprinkler system isn’t currently in use. During that time, gravel gets into the hole and travels through your system. As summer approaches, you begin to run the system twice a week. The gravel ultimately ends up clogging several valves and sprinkler heads, costing thousands in repairs as opposed to the fractional cost of replacing one broken pipe.

The bottom line: you can spend a little now to maintain your irrigation system, or you can spend significantly more down the road fixing irrigation and other problems on your property. Don’t put your best assets at risk for short-term savings.

If your property’s landscaping budget has been impacted by COVID-19, we want to help. Reach out to your EarthWorks property representative today to discuss your options. We’re here to help you maintain a healthy landscape and a healthy budget!