Choosing the best sprinkler heads is a very important part of lawn care. If you have a lush green lawn, you are probably looking for ways to make it more water-efficient. And one way to do that is to reduce the amount of time the water has to run through your lawn. The best way to go about this is to find the most effective irrigation system for your type of yard. Here are a few things to look for in the various systems on the market:
Durable Plastic Body – The best sprinkler heads are made with a durable plastic body. This material is fire retardant, which means it will not warp when sprayed with any kind of liquid, and is designed specifically to be used in residential and commercial lawns. The material is also non-corrosive, meaning it can stand up to even the most extreme conditions outside your home. It is also washable, so you can simply hose away any residue. You can also choose a flexible hose if you plan to move the sprinkler head from place to place on your lawn.
Turbo oscillating heads – Because a turbo oscillating system is typically larger than a standard model, they are the best sprinkler heads for large yards or sloping areas. These units use an air compressor and a powerful motor to send strong jets of water down through the entire lawn. They are the ideal choice for large patches of land, but may not be the best choice for open areas or small lawns. Because they send so much water, turbo oscillating units can take a lot of water to cover an area.
Stationary Sprinkler Heads – Since they can rotate in almost any direction, a stationary sprinkler head is the best way to get the water to where it is needed. These units can be placed in nearly any location in your lawn, even on small lawns. Because these are stationary, you don’t have to worry about moving them every time you need to water your lawn. However, they are typically not as powerful as the turbo or oscillating units and may not be able to get through very thickets of grass.
The next thing to look at is whether the system will work with your existing irrigation system. If you are installing a new system, you should check with your county and local city to see what type of water requirements you have. Although most sprinkler heads last for many years when used in the correct manner, there are some systems that require different amounts of water based upon how much water the lawn has. In addition, some systems work better with certain soil types, so if yours does not work with the type of soil you have, you may not have the best sprinkler heads to keep the water flowing.
One of the biggest considerations in selecting the best sprinkler heads is the service life. This is usually expressed in the number of full hours the unit has been expected to keep water flowing, or “hot” water. Units with a long service life will generally require less maintenance and have a lower cost to operate over its lifetime. For example, a plastic unit that lasts 10 years might cost less to operate than an electric unit that has a long service life, but requires more maintenance.
Another factor in selecting the best sprinkler heads is to consider the look and feel of the unit. As with many other products and services, there are both positive and negative factors associated with pop-up sprinkler heads. The positive side is that they are easily installed by non-professional landscapers, and that they are often very attractive. On the negative side, these units can get stuck in low areas that a regular sprinkler head cannot penetrate, and as a result, do not get as much water per each drop. They can also be very noisy, especially when being used in larger or more populated areas. These two disadvantages are usually offset by the positive benefits of pop-up sprinkler heads.
The final consideration for selecting the best sprinkler heads is based on how well they work. All units are designed to deliver the same result, which is to evenly distribute water throughout a large lawn. Pop-up heads can vary in how they distribute water because some pushes the water more toward the center of the lawn, and others pull it farther out. Pressure is also an important factor, and the more powerful the motor the more consistent the coverage and rate of water flow. All factors must be considered, such as cost and noise, and then depending on the specific needs of the home or landscape project, choose the model that will meet those needs.
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