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Subsurface irrigation cost for lawn(100 sq-ft) in USA, maintenance guide, installation in sloppy lawns

The subsurface irrigation system is one of those few precise methods in which we target roots directly. It is a subsurface variant of on-ground drip irrigationIt is ideal for plant farming but we can use it in lawns too. It can save water by more than 50% in lawns and agriculture than underground sprinkler systems

Although its DIY installation process is not difficult in bigger lawns, it is recommended to call experts for installation.

Here, we will discuss an estimated cost for a 100-square-foot lawn.

Subsurface irrigation cost for the lawn in the USA

Subsurface irrigation is a long-term investment for a lawn or any agricultural land. It saves investment for 10 to 15 years easily. So before discussing its estimated installation cost, you can look at the basics of it at least once. 

Subsurface lawn irrigation cost in USA

What is subsurface irrigation?

Subsurface irrigation is an underground irrigation system that provides water directly to the roots. 

Having an overground control system, we can limit it to particular sections of lawn. It escapes the water-soaking step and reduces the extra use of water. 

Ask for the permission of local authorities

It is not necessary that digging is allowed everywhere in the USA. Sometimes it can create trouble for people to dig without permission even for goodwill. 

So first of all, you should have permission from NOC for digging from your local official authority. Filing an application is not a difficult process and it will make sure that you will not be in trouble in the future. 

Subsurface irrigation cost for lawn(100 sq-ft)

In a 1000 square feet of lawn, if you are considering installing subsurface irrigation yourself, then your cost will reduce just as you don't have to pay service and installation costs. 

In small lawns, DIY subsurface irrigation installation doesn't create a huge problem but for that, you need proper machines for making channels for pipelines. It becomes too intense work in absence of digging machines. But for bigger lawns, it is always better to call expert services. 

Following is an estimated cost to install subsurface irrigation per 100 square feet of lawn- 

  • Pipes cost- $100
  • Control valves- $30
  • Water filter- $20
  • Drippers cost- $20
  • Additional cost- $50
  • Service/labor cost- $100

Total cost- $320

In small lawns, you can install subsurface irrigation by yourself and it will reduce your service and labor cost. Thus, it will cost you $200 to $230 to install subsurface irrigation in your 100-square-foot lawn. 

How to repair a broken subsurface pipeline?

First of all, when will one know that a pipeline is broken in subsurface irrigation? It can break during installation, after being buried, during winter, etc. The signs are very clear of broken pipelines in subsurface irrigation. If any section is too wet compared to others, then it is an easy sign that pipeline is broken in that section. 

Sometimes, pipe break from bottom areas, in that condition, either that particular section can have moss or more weeds than others. 

It is simple to repair the broken subsurface pipeline. The following steps will guide you to repair the broken subsurface pipeline- 

Step 1- Switch off the main control valve of the supply source. 

Step 2- Mark the area where water is leaking or the turf is too wet. You need to reach the closest to the wettest section.  

Step 3- Wear safety glubs. Use turf-cutting tools to pick up the turf in that section. Reach the main pipeline and use water to clean its mud.  

Step 4- After reaching the main pipeline, either you can use tapping or you can add a puncture if the damage is very small. If the damage is bigger, then you need to replace it with a new section of pipe. 

Step 5- Cut the damaged portion from the main pipeline. Now, take a new pipe piece according to measurement, and bind it with the help of binding sockets. You can confirm airtight by the water supply.

Step 6- In case of damaged drippers or nozzles, you can replace them similarly. 

Step 7- After confirmation, bury the repaired section with the same mud. Now you can return to the area with the same turf piece you picked up earlier. 

Thus, your subsurface irrigation pipeline can be repaired. 

Subsurface irrigation for heavy clay and sandy soil

Subsurface irrigation is different from other overground irrigation systems like center pivot irrigation system. Generally, overground irrigation systems irrigate from above the soil, and then water reaches the roots. It becomes difficult for heavy clay and sandy soil to absorb the water faster. 

In the case of subsurface irrigation, water reaches directly to the roots from the bottom. It skips the step of absorption.

The subsurface irrigation process works almost the same for heavy clay and sandy soil as it works for ordinary soils. 

Installation in sloppy lawns

In sloppy and irregular lawns, it becomes difficult to install PVC pipes and sprinkler irrigation systems. It creates problems in irregular slopes. To fix these PVC pipes, one has to dig deep in the lawn. So it increases the difficulty of repairing and maintaining it. 

Subsurface irrigation pipes are very flexible to bend in most irregular slopes. So, it doesn't create such problems. It is easy to install and fix these subsurface pipes in irregular, big, and sloppy lawns. 

Once you install them, they last for a very long period. But in the case of other irrigation systems, the pipeline can blast in too cold a winter. 

Even in odd seasons, sub-surface irrigation systems last at least 12 to 15 years.

How efficient sub-surface irrigation is?

Sub-surface irrigation can be used in both agriculture and lawns. In terms of efficiency, sub-surface irrigation is quite efficient to save water consumption in irrigation. It can save 40% to 45% of irrigation water.

The thing that makes it efficient is the working principle of it because, in this method, we directly target roots to irrigate. It is a continuous dropping of water to moisten the soil under the turf or soil. It saves time and water from soaking through the soil. 

Although it has some other consequences too that make this irrigation debatable for lawns still, it is quite efficient in lawns and agricultural fields. 

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