The Common Gardening Practice That Can Actually Damage Your Property

Are your sprinklers spraying your yard with well water? This is a common gardening practice that can actually damage your property. Using well water for your sprinkler system can pose a problem when the water contains a high level of iron. If you have noticed reddish brown or orange stains on the side of your house, the fence, or pavement, the culprit could be your well water.

Iron is often present in well water, and the water going to the sprinkler system is often not treated due to the cost and concerns about the possible impact of salt-based water softeners on plants. When water containing dissolved iron reacts with oxygen in the air, it causes stains on anything that the water comes into contact with, including plumbing fixtures inside the house and the exterior of your home and outdoor features.

Broadcast lawn sprinklers can cause more harm than good to your plants and are also more likely to cause staining because they spray water at farther distances. This method of watering your lawn and garden wastes water and increases the likelihood of the water from your sprinklers hitting the side of your house, your garden shed, fence, or the sidewalks.

First, have your water tested to verify that the problem is being caused by iron in your well water. If this is the case, you may want to consider a water treatment system to remove the iron from your water. There are filters specifically designed for sprinkler systems that do not use salt. However, this can be expensive, especially if you are only using the well for your sprinklers and not the water in your home.

You can also fine tune your sprinkler heads to cut down on expenses and conserve water, as well as directing them away from the house, sidewalks, or any other structures or backyard features that may be stained. Adjust the sprinkler heads to direct the water away from your house and avoid spraying where staining may occur. If that isn't possible, you may want to consider using shields or directional sprinkler heads.

Understanding the dangers of sprinkler neglect is essential for preventing hard water stains on your house, walkways, or sidewalks. Broken sprinklers or tilted sprinkler heads can cause water to go where it wasn't intended to land. This can result in staining if the water contains a high level of iron. Regular sprinkler maintenance can help you notice problems with sprinkler heads, so you can fix them.