What's up with sprinklers? (Chicago: house, neighborhood, subdivision)

[atcshane2]

I'm looking at several properties, and none of them have built in sprinklers. My realtor says that it's uncommon to have them in the Chicago area. I've mostly lived in the SW US so this is surprising to me, since I've always had them.

Is the reasoning that enough rain happens that you don't need to water unless a drought happens? Or do people just enjoy dragging sprinklers and hoses around their property?

[chet everett]

Inground sprinklers are not uncommon in the higher price ranges. Folks in areas with a lack of trees to shade their lawn have routinely installed them for decades. In many areas the relatively high cost of water and sewer charges make it a good idea to have a very well managed area sprinkled. For folks with larger lots it may be cost effective to drill an irrigation well and/or tap into sources of surface water to provide for landscape needs.

In areas with mature shade trees water needs are greatly reduced/ eliminated. Much more "eco friendly"...

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Originally Posted by atcshane2

I'm looking at several properties, and none of them have built in sprinklers. My realtor says that it's uncommon to have them in the Chicago area. I've mostly lived in the SW US so this is surprising to me, since I've always had them.

Is the reasoning that enough rain happens that you don't need to water unless a drought happens? Or do people just enjoy dragging sprinklers and hoses around their property?

If the house is in a subdivision look around at the other homes and see if they have them or if no one has them.

Never heard of this before but then again it never bothered me either
right now i think most of us have enough rain on our lawns

[jimmythegreek]

Originally Posted by atcshane2

I've mostly lived in the SW US so this is surprising to me, since I've always had them...Or do people just enjoy dragging sprinklers and hoses around their property?

It gets cold here. I don't think built in sprinklers fair to well after a few winters.gl

[pvande55]

Lawn sprinklers save your grass, fire sprinklers save your a**. Many cities require them in new single family homes

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Originally Posted by jimmythegreek

It gets cold here. I don't think built in sprinklers fair to well after a few winters.gl

The service company will blow the air out of the sprinkler lines
no problem. Usually blow them free in late october or early novermber before the cold winter sets

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by sunnyandcloudydays

The service company will blow the air out of the sprinkler lines
no problem. Usually blow them free in late october or early novermber before the cold winter sets

And to clarify, the blow frees them from water that would freeze and burst the PVC pipes.
It's not a FREE service. Costs about $80.

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by atcshane2

I'm looking at several properties, and none of them have built in sprinklers. My realtor says that it's uncommon to have them in the Chicago area. I've mostly lived in the SW US so this is surprising to me, since I've always had them.

Is the reasoning that enough rain happens that you don't need to water unless a drought happens? Or do people just enjoy dragging sprinklers and hoses around their property?

The only time anyone has to water around here is usually late June to maybe late August and that's it. Most just choose to use the hose for that period of time.

[Gunner0325]

What

is

the deal

with airplane peanuts?

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by NYrules

The only time anyone has to water around here is usually late June to maybe late August and that's it. Most just choose to use the hose for that period of time.

Depends on the neighborhood. Our neighborhood has many homes with built in underground sprinkler systems.