Top Sprinkler & Irrigation in Hempstead, New York Ranked

A well-designed sprinkler and irrigation system is the cornerstone of a healthy, vibrant landscape in Hempstead. These automated watering systems deliver precise amounts of water exactly where your lawn and plants need it, conserving water and saving you time. Whether you're looking to install a new system, upgrade an existing one, or simply learn how to maintain your current setup, understanding the components, scheduling, and local considerations is key to a lush, water-efficient yard.

Old Mill Sprinkler Company

1862 Newbridge Rd Suite B, Bellmore, NY 11710

Old Mill Sprinkler Company is a landscaping and irrigation service provider based in New York, NY. They specialize in sprinkler installation, sprinkler repair, landscape lighting installation, and landscape design. Their team is trained to handle both residential and commercial irrigation systems, offering services such as routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and system monitoring that can adjust watering based on weather conditions. The company emphasizes using premium equipment to ensure long-term functionality and supports healthy plant and tree care through proper irrigation. They also provide landscape design and planting services.

5.0

154 Reviews

Heroes Lawn Care

231 Herbert Ave Space E, Closter, NJ 07624

Heroes Lawn Care provides lawn fertilization, weed control, sprinkler installation, and irrigation repair services in New York, NY. They focus on eco-conscious lawn care using environmentally responsible products and techniques. Their licensed team offers comprehensive lawn maintenance, including aeration and pet waste removal, tailored to each property. Heroes Lawn Care serves Northeast Bergen County and nearby areas with a proactive approach and quality assurance on every project.

5.0

96 Reviews

Sullivan & Son Landscaping Management

18 Belltown Rd, Stamford, CT 06905

Sullivan & Son Landscaping Management is a landscaping and hardscaping company serving New York, NY, with over 30 years of experience. They provide a wide range of services including lawn care, fertilization, weed control, sod installation, landscape lighting, tree services, yard drainage, sprinkler installation and repair, as well as hardscaping such as pavers and retaining walls. The company specializes in landscape construction and maintenance, offering expertise in retaining walls, patios, walkways, and outdoor living spaces. They also provide snow and ice management and junk removal services. Sullivan & Son is known for their detailed consultations and comprehensive project management to meet customer expectations.

4.9

155 Reviews

Automatic Irrigation Design

333 Baldwin Rd Suite H, Hempstead, NY 11550

Automatic Irrigation Design is a family-owned company based in New York, NY, specializing in lawn sprinkler installation, repair, and outdoor landscape lighting. Serving clients throughout Long Island and New York City, they offer comprehensive irrigation system services including design, installation, and maintenance. The company is known for using state-of-the-art equipment and providing timed, measured hydration to ensure efficient water use. With over 60 years of experience, Automatic Irrigation Design operates with a team of full-time professionals and offers a 24-hour emergency line for immediate support.

4.8

814 Reviews

Metropolitan Garden Design

22 E 88th St, New York, NY 10128

Metropolitan Garden Design is a full-service urban landscape design and construction company based in New York, NY. They specialize in creating and maintaining outdoor spaces such as rooftops, terraces, backyards, and sidewalk plantings for both commercial and residential clients. Their services include lawn fertilization, weed control, landscape lighting installation, sprinkler system installation and repair, hardscaping with pavers and retaining walls, and custom drip irrigation systems designed for ease of maintenance. The company uses high-quality plants and materials suited for the unique NYC environment and offers seasonal garden maintenance to keep outdoor spaces vibrant year-round.

5.0

51 Reviews

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Understanding Your Irrigation System Components

An automatic irrigation system is more than just sprinkler heads popping up from the ground. It's a coordinated network of components working together. At the heart is the controller (often called the timer), which sends signals to open and close valves according to a programmed schedule ¹. These valves control water flow to specific sections of your yard, known as zones. Each zone is plumbed with underground pipes that deliver pressurized water to the sprinkler heads ².

The sprinkler heads themselves come in different types for different applications. Rotors are typically used for larger lawn areas, spraying streams of water in a rotating pattern. Sprays or fixed spray heads are used for smaller, more defined areas like flower beds or narrow strips of grass, providing a fan-shaped spray pattern ³. For gardens, shrubs, and trees, drip irrigation is highly efficient, using emitters to deliver water slowly and directly to the root zone, minimizing evaporation and runoff ¹.

A critical safety and code-required component is the backflow preventer. This device ensures that water from your irrigation system cannot flow backward and contaminate the public drinking water supply ². Understanding these parts helps you communicate effectively with professionals and diagnose basic issues.

The Importance of Professional System Design and Layout

A successful irrigation installation in Hempstead starts with a smart design. The goal is uniform water distribution, ensuring every part of a zone receives the same amount of water. This is achieved through a principle called head-to-head coverage, where the spray from one sprinkler head reaches the adjacent head ⁴. Proper spacing prevents dry spots and overwatering.

A professional design will segment your property into logical zones. This is because different areas have different watering needs. For example, a sunny lawn zone will require more frequent watering than a shaded bed of drought-tolerant plants or a zone dedicated to drip irrigation for shrubs ⁵. Separating these areas into zones allows the system to apply the right amount of water to each plant type, improving efficiency and plant health.

The design must also account for water pressure and flow rate from your main supply. A qualified installer will calculate these factors to ensure each zone has enough water pressure to operate all its heads effectively without overloading the system. A poor design can lead to weak spray patterns, uneven coverage, and wasted water.

Smart Watering Schedules for Hempstead's Climate

How and when you water is just as important as the system itself. For most lawns in our region, the general guideline is to provide about 1 inch of water per week from all sources, including rainfall ⁶. However, this is not a set-it-and-forget-it number. Your schedule should change with the seasons.

During the peak summer heat, when temperatures consistently exceed 90°F, your lawn may need watering 3-4 times per week to stay healthy ⁶. In the cooler spring and fall months, when temperatures are below 60°F, you can often reduce watering to 1-2 times per week ⁶. The most efficient time to water is in the early morning, between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. ⁷. This timing reduces water loss from evaporation and wind, and allows grass blades to dry during the day, which helps prevent fungal diseases.

For sloped areas or clay-heavy soils common in parts of Long Island, a technique called cycle and soak is beneficial. Instead of running a zone for 20 minutes straight, you program it to run for two 10-minute cycles with an hour in between. This allows the first watering to soak in, reducing runoff and ensuring deeper root hydration ⁶.

Installation and Repair Cost Considerations

Investing in an irrigation system involves upfront costs that vary based on your property's size and complexity. Installation is typically priced in two ways: by the square foot of area covered or by the number of zones.

On a per-square-foot basis, installing a new sprinkler system in Hempstead can range from $0.88 to $2.50 ^{1 8}. For a more zone-focused estimate, each zone of irrigation can cost between $600 and $2,000 to install, with complexity and the type of heads used influencing the final price ^{9 10}. A simple system for a small yard will be on the lower end, while a large property with multiple zones, drip lines, and smart technology will be higher.

Repair costs are more variable, addressing issues like clogged or broken sprinkler heads, leaking valves, or damaged pipes. Proactive seasonal maintenance-like a spring start-up and a fall winterization-is a key strategy for cost savings, as it can identify and fix small problems before they lead to major water waste or landscape damage ¹¹. Regular check-ups of the controller settings, head alignment, and valve operation can keep your system running efficiently for years.

Adhering to Local Water Regulations

As a community conscious of its environmental impact, Hempstead and the broader Nassau County area may have local ordinances governing outdoor water use ¹². These rules are often designed to promote water conservation, especially during drier periods.

It's important for homeowners to be aware of potential restrictions, which can dictate specific watering days (e.g., odd/even street addresses) or time-of-day windows when irrigation is permitted. These regulations can affect how you program your controller. Always check with local water authorities or town offices for the most current rules to ensure your watering practices are in compliance ¹².

Maintaining System Efficiency Year-Round

Annual maintenance is non-negotiable for a reliable system. In the spring, a professional start-up service will pressurize the system, check for leaks, test each zone, and adjust sprinkler heads for proper coverage. They will also reprogram the controller with an appropriate seasonal schedule.

In the fall, before the first hard freeze, a winterization (blow-out) service is critical. This process uses compressed air to remove all water from the pipes, valves, and heads. Water left in the system can freeze, expand, and cause costly cracks and breaks in the components ¹¹. Scheduling these two services annually protects your investment.

Throughout the growing season, perform visual inspections. Look for heads that are stuck, misaligned, or blocked by grass. Check for soggy spots that might indicate a leak underground. Adjust your controller after significant rainfall. These simple habits ensure your landscape gets the water it needs without waste.

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