Residential Installation

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much damage to my existing lawn can I expect from a new installation? 

  The equipment and machinery we use to install the pipe underground is designed to have limited damage or scarring to your existing lawn.  There will be a small amount of scarring from the machines blade that pulls the pipe underground.  Many customers can’t believe how little damage we do.  A few weeks of regular watering and your lawn will be back to normal. 

• Will a lawn sprinkler system use more water than hand watering? 

  No it will in fact use much less water.  A properly designed and installed sprinkler system will have a limited amount of overwatering on driveways, sidewalks etc and you will never have to worry about leaving your sprinkler or hose running if you were hand watering. 

• How long is your warranty?

  “8 Days” is the only irrigation company in Ontario that offers a Lifetime Warranty.  This warranty does not cover any physical damage to your sprinkler system.  To qualify your sprinkler system must be installed by “8 Days” and we must continue to maintain and service your sprinkler system each and every year, Spring and Fall.

• Can I run my irrigation system off of a well?

  Yes you can, however it all depends on what your GPM (gallons per minute) rate is on your well recovery.  More specifically how well your well performs.  If your well can’t recover water quick enough then you would need to look at another water source for your irrigation system.  Situations like this happen few and far between.

• Will an automatic sprinkler system save water? 

  If you are making the comparison between watering by hand or traditional above ground sprinklers versus automatic underground sprinklers, then the answer is YES.  There are many reasons for this; 

  A well-designed “8 Days a Week” SMART watering underground sprinkler system applies water to your softscapes much more uniformly.  Also, the fact that it is automated and programmed to come on in the early hours of the morning when less water is lost to evaporation.  Using a SMART WIFI water savings controller gives you the ability to pull local weather data to generate more water savings than traditional conventional irrigation controllers.

• How is the sprinkler system hooked up to a water supply? Do you use the exterior hose bibs?

  At “8 Days” we generally only use an exterior hose bib as a last resort water source for the sprinkler system.  Reason being, that most existing household hose bigs are ½ inch size in diameter which means a smaller water source to feed the sprinkler system.  The only reason to use an outdoor hose bib as a water source is where there is no access to indoor plumbing (basement fully finished) to bring out a larger water source than ½ inch”.

• How long does it take to install an irrigation system?

  Every property and project is different.  It all depends on the size and complexity of the scope of work that determines the length of an installation.  For an average suburb home in a city in Ontario, it would approximately take 1 to 2 full days to install an automated irrigation system.

• Do I need a permit to have an irrigation system installed?

  For a residential property currently in the province of Ontario, no you don’t need a permit.  What a homeowner does need is confirmation of locates (location of underground utility services; water, hydro, gas etc.)  Once we receive your installations deposit, we do all the leg work in obtaining the confirmation of your properties locates.

• How do you install underground sprinklers?

  At “8 Days” we use a vibratory plough machine to pull most of the sprinkler system poly pipes into the ground.  This will still cause some scarring to the lawn/turf, but way less damage than hand-digging trenches.  Some hand-digging will have to take place in areas where there are underground utilities, installing sprinkler heads, valve boxes, mainlines, pipe connections, and tight areas, etc.

  With residential irrigation installations, irrigation pipes are installed generally 4-8 inches (10 to 20 cm) in depth.  These pipes need to be deep enough so they can avoid damages such as aeration.  Some areas where we may not be able to achieve preferred depths would be large tree rooted sections of a property. 

• How much will an installation cost? 

  It all depends on where you live, the size of your property and how much you want to irrigate.  In and around the Hamilton area in 2024, for the average sized residential subdivision home, the average cost was $4,500.00 or higher.

• Can I save money by installing my own irrigation system?

  No. While DIY installation may seem like a way to cut costs, it can actually lead to higher expenses in the long run. A professionally designed and installed irrigation system ensures optimal water efficiency, preventing overwatering, leaks, and uneven coverage that could increase your water bill or require costly repairs. Our experts have the knowledge and experience to install your system correctly the first time, saving you time, money, and unnecessary disruption to your landscape.

• Will I have difficulty operating my sprinkler system?

  No, operating your sprinkler system is simple, especially with modern controllers. Most systems come with user-friendly  WiFi-enabled controllers that allow you to easily set and adjust watering schedules. With a WiFi controller, you can manage your system remotely from a smartphone app, making changes anytime, anywhere.

• What are the components of an automatic sprinkler system?

  An automatic sprinkler system consists of several key components that work together to efficiently water your landscape:

  1. Controller (Timer or WiFi Controller) – The “brain” of the system that automates watering schedules. A WiFi controller allows for remote control via a smartphone app.
  2. Valves – These control the flow of water to different zones in your yard, opening and closing based on the controller’s instructions.
  3. Sprinkler Heads – Deliver water to your lawn and garden. Different types include pop-up spray heads, rotary heads, and drip irrigation emitters, depending on your landscape’s needs.
  4. Pipes and Fittings – Underground pipes distribute water from the main supply to each sprinkler head.

• Does having a sprinkler system really save me time?

  Yes! A sprinkler system saves you time by automatically watering your landscape, so you don’t have to spend time manually moving hoses or remembering to turn sprinklers on and off. With a WiFi-enabled controller, you can easily manage your watering schedule from your smartphone, making adjustments as needed without ever stepping outside – even when you are away from home!

• Will an automatic sprinkler system use more water than I am currently using?

  No – an automatic sprinkler system with a WiFi controller will actually help you save water. A well-designed, efficient system delivers the precise amount of water your landscape needs, eliminating waste from overwatering or forgetting to turn off a hose. With a WiFi controller, you can easily adjust watering schedules from your smartphone, ensuring optimal efficiency.