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Watering the lawn/foundation.

Posted on 6/27/16 at 1:47 pm
Posted by Herb484
Member since Jan 2009
588 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 1:47 pm
Hello all, I am a recent home buyer and would like to setup the sprinkler system correctly. What schedule do you all use? I am in the North Texas area if that helps. I have heard watering can help protect the foundation which is why I want to do this. Thanks in advance.
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
166498 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 1:48 pm to
2 oclock during day when its hottest.
Posted by LSU-MNCBABY
Knightsgate
Member since Jan 2004
24371 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 1:49 pm to
In the summer mine comes on at 5:30 am and waters for 5-15 min depending on the zone.

You should really have someone that knows what they're doing come out and set it up if you're talking about a rain bird system or something like that.

If you're just pulling on the hose and hooking up and side to side sprinkler then just let it go for a few min each day
Posted by MrSmith
Member since Sep 2009
8311 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 1:52 pm to
6:30am and 6:30pm. 15min each. No science behind those times
Posted by AUCE05
Member since Dec 2009
42574 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 1:53 pm to
Foundation of what? Your house? Your root system? Moar details.
Posted by Scooba
Member since Jun 2013
19999 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 1:54 pm to
I will start by saying I have no clue but watering at the hottest point seems like you would waste due to evap. I would imagine first thing in the morning would be best.
Posted by Bmath
LA
Member since Aug 2010
18681 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 2:05 pm to
I would call the water company to see what they recommend. North Texas communities, around Dallas especially, frequently enter drought conditions. They will then restrict how often you can use a sprinkler setting. While the rains last year have refilled the reservoirs, I suspect they still have suggested usage to try and stretch the water supply.
Posted by Zappas Stache
Utility Muffin Research Kitchen
Member since Apr 2009
38778 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 2:08 pm to
We have expansive clay soils in North Texas which means when the soil gets wet it expands and when it dries out it shrinks. So you want to keep a consistent moisture in the soil around your foundation. Here is a good article.Most people run a soaker hose or a drip irrigation system around the perimeter of the house and run it 15 minutes a day. Anytime between 7pm and 7am is good. You can get a timer that connects to your hose bib but the problem is if it rains, you don't want to water that day. and in the winter, you can turn it off unless its a really dry winter. If you rely on your automatic irrigation system, you are not allowed to water everyday with spray heads. Some cities enforce this more than others so check with your city to see what days you can water. Soaker hoses and drip can be run everyday. This is all assuming you have a slab on grade foundation. I have a pier & Beam and never water my foundation.
Posted by junkfunky
Member since Jan 2011
33950 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 2:09 pm to
quote:

I have heard watering can help protect the foundation which is why I want to do this.


Maintaining a relatively constant but not oversaturated amount of moisture in the soil helps with settling and heave. However, dumping large amounts of water against your foundation is never a good idea.
Posted by YNWA
Member since Nov 2015
6724 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 2:22 pm to
Water around 2am or 3am. It's more economical and the grass will take in more water as there will be a lot less evaporation. You can water late afternoon for 5 minutes per station if you need to cool the grass off.
Posted by KG6
Member since Aug 2009
10920 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 2:34 pm to
I water as little as possible. Start out 5 minutes per zone 3 days a week. If the grass looks like it's not "thriving" as best as it can, I add a day. If still having issues, I bump up the time in that zone.

Best time to water is just before the sun comes up. Not hot enough to evaporate the water before it gets in the ground. But you also don't have water sitting on the grass for an extended period of time nearly every day which can aid in some fungus growth that would be bad for your lawn.

I went from south LA where I had never even thought of the idea of watering, to Texas where we had floods, then 3 weeks later my lawn was almost completely dead. Sprinkler system was damaged in lightening storm and had a guy come set me up and give me the lowdown on how to utilize it properly.
Posted by StinkBait72
Member since Nov 2011
2057 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 2:43 pm to
I do 6am and 4pm, 15 minutes all zones with 15 minute lags between them. No science behind it I just like to keep it simple.
Posted by shutterspeed
MS Gulf Coast
Member since May 2007
63531 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 2:47 pm to
Hello, Herb!
Posted by Gorilla Fingers
Member since Jul 2011
1553 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 4:38 pm to
Have you been letting all those All Pro Foundation Repair commercials on the radio scare you?
Posted by Eightballjacket
Member since Jan 2016
7321 posts
Posted on 6/27/16 at 4:42 pm to
Watering when the sun is out helps to burn up the chlorine in the water. Also, some plants do better when their foliage doesn't remain wet for long.
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