Sprinkler System

Yes, you can use a hose instead of a sprinkler system to water new sod, but it's important to ensure even coverage. Attach a sprinkler nozzle to the hose to disperse water evenly across the lawn. This method allows for more precise control over the water distribution. Remember to mimic the watering schedule recommended for a sprinkler system, providing your new sod with the necessary moisture for healthy growth.

Installing a home sprinkler system costs an average of $4,000, with prices ranging from $1,600 to $14,000. It’s less expensive to install a system in an unfinished home ($0.80 to $2 per square foot) than it is to add one to a finished home ($2 to $7 per square foot). Sprinklers are also more expensive to install in high-rise buildings, for which you can expect to pay a minimum of $4 per square foot.

In most cases, no, you shouldn’t run your sprinklers every day. Most lawns need one to three watering sessions per week, depending on the grass type, amount of rainfall in your area, and soil type. However, there is an exception: If you have newly seeded or sodded grass, you should water your lawn twice per day for the first few weeks.

It’s usually worth repairing your in-ground sprinkler system. In the worst-case scenario, a broken sprinkler head or sprinkler line will leak water into your soil, which will drastically increase your utility bills and pose an issue for your home foundation. Severe leaks can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars over time. In less serious instances, your damaged component will leave a portion of your system unusable or ineffective. Regardless of the problem’s severity, the relatively low average cost of sprinkler repair—around $270—is worth paying for properly functioning sprinklers.