Hi everyone. The previous home-owner installed in-ground sprinklers for most of our yard. About 6k sqft of lawn is not covered by the existing system and I plan to eventually install a new controller and new zones to cover the entire lawn. I also plan to renovate the same area. Should I finish the installation before renovating? I might be able to do the install myself but I'm leaning toward a professional installation. Is the system a nice to do before renovation or a must do?

Ha. You say it like that and it seems silly not to. I was wondering how invasive the digging was but it would just be easier to do it before the renovation. It would be great to not have to worry about hoses and timers.

If you're planning on doing it anyway, I would do it before. If you use a pipe-puller and poly pipe, it won't tear up the grass very much if you do it after, but having it in place during the most crucial time for water would save you a lot of time and effort with hoses. And, I would definitely use the pipe puller instead of a trencher - I did the latter because I was afraid of the rocky soil, but I think I would have been better off to use the pipe puller and repair any breaks that occurred. I'd get some bids for professional install, though - they may be able to do it for not much more than it would cost you by the time you rent the puller, especially if they don't have to install a new backflow and tap into the water supply.

kerrybp wrote:If you're planning on doing it anyway, I would do it before. If you use a pipe-puller and poly pipe, it won't tear up the grass very much if you do it after, but having it in place during the most crucial time for water would save you a lot of time and effort with hoses. And, I would definitely use the pipe puller instead of a trencher - I did the latter because I was afraid of the rocky soil, but I think I would have been better off to use the pipe puller and repair any breaks that occurred. I'd get some bids for professional install, though - they may be able to do it for not much more than it would cost you by the time you rent the puller, especially if they don't have to install a new backflow and tap into the water supply.

Do it before- It is much easier to verify even coverage on dirt then grass. Plus, the trenched areas will settle so remember- putt ALL the dirt back into the trenches that you dig out.

srm077 wrote: Plus, the trenched areas will settle so remember- putt ALL the dirt back into the trenches that you dig out.

And then it will probably settle even more, so be prepared to add more soil later.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

I didn't put in my irrigation when I renovated in 2009. I did it last year instead and was really sorry - I got a massive Poa Annua invasion 2' on either side of the trench cut to the bottom of the yard. I actually posted pictures of the area after treating it with Tenacity this Spring. It was ridiculously easy to spot where the trench had been dug.

Do it now.

OK, will do. Thanks everyone!

I would definitely do it before. I did a not so great overseed last year that didn't do so well. Watering it without irrigation system was a huge hassle. I plan do an overseed every few years in an attempt to slowly work in the Galaxy blend with the goal of 100% KBG. I will definitely not do it again until the irrigation system is installed.

If you don't mind, i'd like to threadjack a related question.
If i was ever planning on having a guy come out with a box blade and regrade my yard, can that be done once my sprinklers are installed? Or will that be far too difficult to avoid the heads?