When is the Best Time to Install a Sprinkler System in Michigan

If you’re exploring when to install a sprinkler system in Michigan, our team has answers to your questions! The first thing you should know is, while you can install an irrigation system during any of the warmer months in Michigan, fall is actually the best time to install a new sprinkler system. Read on to find out why!

Why Fall is the Best Time to Install a Sprinkler System in Michigan

Cooler temperatures, more rain, and softer soil during the autumn season make digging and trenching in your yard easier for irrigation installers. Your landscape and lawn typically receive plenty of rain during the fall, and if a dry spell occurs, your plants can acclimate to the new irrigation system. We also tend to see lawns and landscaping recover more quickly after a fall installation.

With a fall installation, you also have time to evaluate system performance and make minor adjustments to sprinkler head zones, timers, and rain sensors. Your irrigation system will be optimized for the higher water needs of your lawn during the spring and summer months.

You will typically be able to use the irrigation system for some time before winterizing for the season, since winterization service for southern Michigan typically begins in late September through November.

What Homeowners Should Know About Spring or Summer Sprinkler System Installations

Installing underground sprinkler systems can happen any time of year if the ground is not frozen. Many people choose to install their systems in spring or summer, especially if a particularly bad dry spell makes keeping up with watering impossible. However, there are some factors that impact installing your irrigation system in the spring and summer that you should be aware of as you consider your options.

Many homeowners rely on irrigation services to open their sprinkler system in the spring, making spring a busy time for our team. Spring and summer also tend to be a busy maintenance time for installers, since the ground often has higher water needs during these months. Installation schedules fill up fast during the spring and summer, so if you’re considering an installation, don’t wait to contact us.

In addition, spring and early summer tend to be high growth periods for many plants. Digging and trenching for a lawn sprinkling system may hinder plant growth during this window. Some plants may not recover until the following year—a typical cycle for perennial landscaping, but a possible inconvenience homeowners should be aware of.

What to Expect From a New Sprinkler System Installation

When you contact Sanderson & DeHaan for a new sprinkler system installation, here’s what you can expect from the quoting and installation process:

1. We’ll perform a site visit to map your landscape, assess the water supply, and begin the design of your new irrigation system. Based on your property layout and irrigation needs, we’ll design a custom sprinkler system of rotors, fixed sprays, and/or drip irrigation. We’ll send you this design and cost estimate to review and approve.

2. After you approve the design and cost estimate, we’ll schedule your installation and begin prep work. Our team will order parts and have utility companies mark service lines. We request that you mow the yard a day or two before we arrive to perform the installation. Cleaning up any yard debris is always helpful and speeds up our installation time.

3. We install your system! Most residential sprinkler systems take only a day or two to install. The installation process typically includes digging trenches or holes that will need to be reseeded. During the final phase of connecting the entire system, we will need to turn off your water supply. This typically takes less than two hours. We will turn the water back on and test your new irrigation system to ensure everything is working as intended.

4. We’ll schedule an inspection about 10 days after installation to ensure that the sprinkler system is working as you expect, and to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Many of our customers also choose to partner with us for opening and closing their sprinkler system, so they don’t have to worry about undertaking fall winterization and spring start-up on their own. This includes backflow testing to ensure there is no contamination of your potable drinking water.

Contact the Sanderson & DeHaan Team About Installing a Sprinkler System!

At Sanderson & DeHaan, we only install systems and components that will keep your yard beautiful for years to come. We choose proven products that have the durability, reliability and efficient watering to maintain a cost-efficient irrigation system.

Our team of irrigation design and installation experts are happy to answer any questions you may have about a sprinkler system. Please contact our team today with any questions, or to schedule a site visit for a cost estimate.