A Successful Story of Charlotte Irrigation Installation

For more than 25 years, Irrigation and Lighting Specialist has provided elite solutions to the lawn irrigation needs of homeowners all over Charlotte. Over the years we have taken pride in helping our customers discover the numerous benefits of a Charlotte irrigation installation, and this summer was no different.

Meet the Limericks

The Limerick family moved to Charlotte from Phoenix, Arizona last winter. Like most Charlotte transplants, they fell in love with the weather and the natural beauty of the city. But, after settling in their home and enjoying a nice winter, the Limericks noticed a big difference in owning a home in the desert-like climate of Arizona and the milder climate of North Carolina, the lawn. 

"We didn't have a grassed lawn at our home in Phoenix, and I didn't know anything about maintaining a lawn before we moved," said Charlie Limerick. "I figured the grass just took care of itself, but I was obviously wrong." 

Once spring came around, the Limerick's green grass started to brown. After searching the web, visiting the local hardware store and asking his neighbor for advice, they still had no idea what was causing their lawn to look so unhealthy. That's when they decided to call John Minor with Irrigation and Lighting Specialist. 

Charlotte Irrigation Installation Saves the Day

After examining the Limericks' lawn, it became obvious that their grass was not getting enough water. There were several large trees throughout the lawn, and the grass underneath the trees weren't able to be properly hydrated, causing the grass to turn brown.

To fix the problem and to restore the health of their grass, the Limericks decided to get an irrigation system installed by the professionals at Irrigation and Lighting Specialist. The system that was installed was customized to the exact needs of their lawn, and the sprinkler heads were properly placed to ensure enough water was being disbursed under the trees. 

"I am really happy that I decided to call Irrigation and Lighting Specialist," said Charlie. "They made sure that my entire yard was getting the water coverage it needed to stay healthy. They even equipped my system with a smart controller, so the irrigation system practically runs itself. Now my lawn is the healthiest on the block."

To join the Limericks and to discover the advantages of a Charlotte irrigation installation, call John Minor with Irrigation and Lighting Specialist at 704-747-0235 or 803-831-0506 or email John. We look forward to adding you to our list of happy customers! 

Charlotte Irrigation Installation: The Advantages of Drip Irrigation

In today's world, everyone is looking for something to make their lives easier. When we need information quickly, we use the internet. When we need to connect with someone, we use a cell phone, and when we need to find a destination, we use a GPS. But, what can we use to help with the maintenance of our lawns? The answer is simple, irrigation systems. 

Between work, children and a social life, the time it takes to properly maintain an attractive lawn is limited. It is hard to find the time to stand in our lawn with a hose everyday to make sure each plant is getting properly hydrated. That is one reason Charlotte irrigation installation has become so popular. It saves time and work, and the end results speak for themselves. 

Charlotte Irrigation Installation Trend

The latest trend in residential Charlotte irrigation installation is drip irrigation. It was mainly used for agriculture at one time, but due to its advantages, homeowners have caught on and started using drip irrigation as a secret weapon to water their plants and vegetation. 

"The highly unique and efficient design of drip irrigation systems have made it a powerful tool for Charlotte homeowners to capitalize on," said John Minor, owner of Irrigation and Lighting Specialist. "It is a great tool that can be used to grow plants on any scale, and our customers love the convenience factor."

What is Drip Irrigation? 

A drip irrigation system consists of vinyl or polyethylene tubing that is installed between emitters that disburs water to the areas that need it. The emitters direct the water to the root systems without wasting water. By maintaining a water level that will keep your roots moist, your plants, crops and greenery will grow quicker and larger than with normal watering methods. 

Five Advantages of Charlotte Drip Irrigation Installation

In addition to drip irrigation's highly effective watering methods, it also provides the following advantages: 

1. Accuracy - The emitters of your drip irrigation system are used to determine how much water is released and where. You won't have to worry about overspray or flooding. Your drip irrigation system will be designed to deliver the right amount of water to the most effective watering locations.
2. Reduces Diseases - Diseases are more prevalent when water sits on top of leaves or foliage. Since your drip irrigation system will direct water to the roots, you will decrease the incidence of diseases, which means your plants have a greater chance of living longer. 
3. Time Saver - Your drip irrigation system will take care of all your watering needs and reduces the amount of time your plants need to be watered. You will no longer have to spend hours every week trying to evenly water all of your plants. 
4. Efficiency - Because drip irrigation systems use less water than other methods of irrigation, they can be up to 90-percent more efficient. Since you won't be wasting water, you will save on your water bill and help the environment. 
5. Versatility - Your drip irrigation system can be customized with safety valves, lateral tubes and pumps that can be tailored to fit your exact needs. Additionally, you will not be required to level terrain to install your system. A drip irrigation system can practically be designed to go anywhere and water anything.

"We have installed a lot of drip irrigation systems for our customers, and they consider it an investment," said Minor. "Because of the time and money they will save in the long run, the system pretty much pays for itself. Not to mention, your plants will be healthier than ever."

To learn more about drip irrigation or to schedule an appointment, call John Minor with Irrigation Lighting and Specialist at 803-831-0506 or 704-747-0235 or email John. We look forward to showing you how our Charlotte irrigation installation can help save you time, money
and the hassle of a hose! 

Fall for Charlotte Irrigation Installations this Season

Fall is right around the corner. In addition to football, colored leaves and pumpkin flavored treats, the season is also the best time to plant grass and to get a Charlotte irrigation installation.

"It is a common misconception that spring or summer is the ideal time to address the needs of your lawn," said John Minor, owner of Irrigation Lighting Specialist. "In actuality, the late summer and fall months are the best. Months like September and October present the best growing conditions for your grass." 

This time of the year brings a combination of conditions that are ideal for your grass. You get cooler temperatures, plenty of sunshine, the soil is warm enough to germinate grass seeds and the cool air promotes a strong root system. With the help of an adequate irrigation system, the work you put into your lawn will really pay off in the spring.

The Right Way to Irrigate Your Lawn

While taking advantage of this growing time, it is important to remember to hydrate your lawn. Whether you are planting seed to thicken your current lawn or planting a new patch of grass, water is essential to any growing process. To ensure your irrigating you are lawn correctly, here are a few tips. 

• Watering Basics - Water is one of the most important factors to a healthy lawn, but too much or too little can harm it. You want deep, infrequent waterings that get into the root zone. As a rule of thumb, water at least half an inch twice a week.  
• Best Time to Water - Early in the morning is the perfect time to water Charlotte lawns. There's less wind, less heat and your lawn has a full day to dry. Watering at night invites mildew and fungus, and watering in the hot afternoon can cause you to lose the majority of your water to evaporation.
• Use the Screwdriver Test - You can water carefully and properly, but if the water isn't being absorbed, your efforts are wasted. One way to tell if your water is being absorb properly is by testing it. Stick an 8-inch screw driver into the ground after you water it. If you are able to stick it in effortlessly around 6-inches, you are providing enough water. 
• Head-to-Head Coverage - An irrigation system that is properly designed should provide water coverage that overlaps. The water distributed from your sprinkler heads should reach the heads across and beside them. This reduces water wastage and helps your lawn get enough water. Hiring a professional for a lawn irrigation installation is the best way to ensure that this is properly done. 
• Be Accurate - How do you know how much you've watered? You can equip your irrigation system with a smart irrigation controller. This device automatically determines when your yard will be watered, how long it will be watered for and it automatically cuts your system off it it rains. Installing a smart irrigation controller is the easiest way to manage your lawn. 

"While the temperatures during this time of the year are ideal for planting grass, September tends to be one of the dryer months in the Charlotte region," said Minor. "Since there usually isn't a lot of rainfall, it is important to have a professional irrigation company install an irrigation system to help your grass grow to its fullest potential." 

To learn more about proper lawn irrigation or to schedule an appointment, call John Minor with Irrigation and Lighting Specialist at 877-433-5833 or email John. Let us help you with your Charlotte irrigation installation so you can enjoy a heathy lawn in the spring! 

Common Lawn Irrigation Mistakes Made By New Homeowners

Buying a new home is a very exciting time in someone's life. The chance to capture the American dream and have a place of your own is a huge accomplishment, but it is also a huge responsibility. It isn't uncommon for new homeowners to feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the magnitude of work it can take to properly maintain a house.

One common factor that is overlooked when buying a house is the amount of work and money that can go into maintaining a healthy lawn, and the bigger the yard - the more responsibility. Additionally, many new homeowners take over a new yard, but don't know how to maintain it. Since your yard is one of the most visible aspects of your newly acquired property, it is very important that it stays healthy and hydrated. To do this, there are some common lawn irrigation mistakes you'll need to avoid.  

"A lot more goes into maintaining a lawn than just cutting the grass," says John Minor, owner of Irrigation and Lighting Specialist. "In order to have that lush lawn, you have to properly practice lawn irrigation, which is more than just spraying a hose over some grass." 

Avoid These Common Lawn Irrigation Mistakes

• Watering at the Wrong Times - You may have seen your neighbor kick on his lawn irrigation system during the middle of the day, but this isn't ideal. Every above ground irrigation system can have its watering patterns altered by wind, and when does wind blow the most? During daylight hours. It is also warmer during the day, which increases evaporation rates. If you water during the day, chances are you are wasting water and not watering your grass throughly. The best time to run your lawn irrigation system is during the early dawn hours or right before dusk. 
• Over Watering - Be careful not to overwater your lawn. This is commonly done when you are watering with a hose or if you have different types of irrigation heads in the same irrigation zone watering at the same time. This basically means you have different sources shooting water in the same area. Over watering your lawn can smoother your grass, create flooding and lead to an expensive water bill. Try placing your sprinkler heads in locations that will prevent overlapping water. Hiring a lawn irrigation professional to map out your system is the best way to address this issue. 
• Watering Shrubs and Plants - You may think it is just quicker and easier to water your shrubs and plants with the same lawn irrigation system you water your grass with, but you are wrong. It is important to irrigate grass areas separately from your shrubs and garden beds. Virtually all of your common landscaping plants (trees, shrubs and ground covers) have vastly larger root systems that your grass. This means your plants generally require half as much water than your local grass. 
• Overspraying - When you install your lawn irrigation system and the sprinkler head throws water outside of the landscaped area (onto sidewalks, driveways, neighbor's property or on the side of the house), you are wasting a lot of water. Just one half circle head could easily waste the same amount of water that there is in an average spa or hot tub in one year. Having your sprinkler heads professionally relocated is a quick fix for this problem. 
• Creating Runoffs - Certain areas of your lawn might have compacted soil. This condition can cause water to run-off onto sidewalks or driveways without giving it enough time to seep into the soil. Installing a smart controller with multiple programs and start times allows for shorter, precise periods of watering, which prevents runoff. A high-quality rotary nozzles can also help by delivering water at even and slower rates, so the moisture can penetrate the soil. 

"Properly irrigating your lawn can seem like a huge burden, but once you have everything set up correctly and a routine - the rewards are huge," says Minor. "Hiring a professional to come in and asses  your lawn irrigation needs is the best way to ensure that you avoid the common mistakes of lawn irrigation. It is also the best way to guarantee your new home is dressed with a beautiful lawn." 

To learn more about common lawn irrigation mistakes, or to schedule an appointment, call John Minor at Irrigation and Lighting Specialist at 877-433-5833 or email John. We love helping new homeowners and veteran homeowners create a healthy lawn they can be proud of!