Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You can increase your irrigation efficiency by about 20% to 40%. While more effective than doing it by hand, traditional sprinklers have around 50% to 70% efficiency. Because drip systems deliver water directly to the roots, measurements indicate they are 90% efficient.

Possible disadvantages include tubing damage, as insects, rodents, and nocturnal animals can damage the soft tubing. Also, this irrigation system needs filters to prevent clogging in the small openings, unlike traditional sprinklers.

Drip irrigation costs around $0.50 to $5 per square foot. The price depends on if you own a residential, commercial, or agricultural property and the size and kind of drip system. Above-ground systems tend to cost less than subsurface systems, and residential installations cost less than commercial or agricultural uses.

Yes, deck lights are worth the investment. Professionally installed deck lights can increase your property value exponentially. Outdoor deck lights also make your property safer, which can prevent expensive injuries, break-ins, and liability claims. 

We may suggest several types of deck and patio lights, depending on your property and what you want to get out of the design. While an LED deck light works best for some homes, solar lights offer more to others.  

Deck light bulbs can last several years. Meanwhile, deck light fixtures can last two to three decades with proper maintenance and care. 

You can design your landscape if you have architectural skills. However, it’s hard to beat the design ideas of an experienced designer.

Yes! We are happy to design and build your landscape. Most of our clients proceed to installation after seeing our designs.

The cost of landscape design will depend on the project’s complexity. Ask our professionals for a custom estimate!

The cost of landscape installation will vary from project to project. We will discuss the installation costs before we begin the project.

Most landscape installation projects take us two to three days to complete. However, more complex installations can take weeks to complete.

Yes! You can suggest the plants you’d like to see in your yard. However, keep in mind that some of them may not be a good fit for our local climate. In that scenario, we’ll recommend suitable replacements. 

Yes! You can suggest the plants you’d like to see in your yard. However, keep in mind that some of them may not be a good fit for our local climate. In that scenario, we’ll recommend suitable replacements. 

The benefits of softscapes include noise reduction, better insulation surrounding your home, and a gorgeous property that stimulates your senses. 

The differences between a softscape and a hardscape are the features and whether they change with time. For example, softscape often refers to plant life and other materials that shift throughout the years. Meanwhile, hardscape refers to rocks and other elements that stay the same.

Dry creek beds work effectively when professionally designed and built.

Yes, a dry creek bed can prevent erosion. It’s a practical drainage solution that provides function and visual charm.

You can place water-loving plants or unique rain gardens at the ends of a dry creek bed. These features add a pop of personality to your property.

Some must-haves for an outdoor space with a pool are adequate lighting, safe pathways, strong fencing, and a vibrant landscape. 

Plants you should avoid placing around your pool include azaleas, crape myrtles, honeysuckle, and ash trees. While these plants have visual appeal, they also shed debris that can infiltrate your pool. As such, you’ll spend lots of time cleaning it up.  

You can place plants like ornamental grasses, palm trees, cacti, succulents, and banana trees around your pool.

Seasonal color in landscaping means using season-appropriate plants to create lasting color year-round. We also coordinate colors to reflect the vibes of each season. 

Plants that add color all year long include perennials and evergreen shrubs. Some annuals may survive mind winters in Cypress, TX. 

An example of a seasonal palette of colors would be earthy colors or warm tones for autumn. We use cool colors like blue, purple, and deep green during winter.

You cannot establish healthy grass roots by laying sod on existing grass without preparing the area first. The sod must touch the soil for the roots to get sufficient moisture, oxygen, and nutrients to grow. 

Before installing sod, you must follow these steps:

1. Clear the installation site.
2. Rough grade the area to prevent drainage issues.
3. Till the soil to at least two inches deep. 
4. Add at least four inches of topsoil. 
5. Test the soil’s pH level.

New sod can take 10 to 14 days to root after the initial application. By the two-week mark, you should mow your lawn for the first time after getting the new sod.

Most French drains last up to 10 years before landscapers have to dig them up to reinstall them. The drain’s effectiveness decreases if a lot of silt, sand, or dirt gets past the fabric and fills the spaces between the gravel. 

Contractors should install French drains between eight and two feet deep, depending on the needs of the property. However, drains around foundations or near the bottoms of retaining walls can go deeper to prevent water from seeping indoors. 

You don’t have to cover your French drain with gravel. However, without the aggregate and landscape fabric, the pipe will clog with silt and dirt more quickly. 

Installing a stone patio or walkway typically requires light excavation work to ensure a level surface for concrete. However, we minimize disruptions, and the excavation won’t affect your home’s structural integrity. 

Concrete and paver patios and walkways require minimal maintenance. Regular sweeping and rinsing and promptly removing weeds can go a long way toward preserving their condition. Sealing the concrete every two to five years also help keep them in good shape.

Some hardscape projects require a permit. We’re familiar with all local building codes, ensuring every project has the proper permits and complies with local regulations. 

For a wood-burning fire pit, use only dry, split wood, sticks, and leaves for kindling. Avoid green wood, trash, or pressure-treated wood to prevent harmful toxins from entering the air. Don’t use accelerants; they will damage the fire pit.

In most cases, you don’t need a permit to install or use a fire pit in Texas. However, local building permits may apply for additional site work on a more extensive hardscape project.

Maintaining a masonry fire pit only requires removing cooled ashes after every fire. An annual cleaning will remove soot residue. A gas fire pit will need an annual inspection by a gas technician.

No, most water features only use minimal electricity. The average energy usage is equivalent to that of a small lamp. A team like Pearce Scapes will focus on sustainability in the design to conserve or recycle water or even run off solar energy.

The source for water fountains, gardens, and pondless waterfalls typically stays in hidden tanks or reservoirs. A residential water feature does not usually need additional plumbing, but large ones adjoin the home’s water sources. 

Maintenance is inevitable and will include the following:

• Regular draining and cleaning
• Debris removal
• Algae control
• Water level adjustments

Pearce Scapes can provide maintenance services too.

Yes, creating garden or landscape borders maintains health and cleanliness in your garden. Stones also put a barrier in place against grass and lawnmowers, making it easier to safeguard precious plants in the flower beds.

No, glass bottles and ceramic or porcelain plates make dangerous substitutions for stone. These materials shatter if clipped by a lawnmower. Stone maintains its shape through all kinds of abuse.

Yes, landscape borders require some maintenance. For example, you should use a water hose and scrubbing brush to wipe away dust or algae. You can also remove leaves or sticks to keep your border visible.

Yes, but missing any important details might end in a collapsed wall. A failed retaining wall can damage property, people, and belongings. So, rather use expert installers like Pearce Scapes.

Some cities or HOAs require you to obtain permission before installing a wall. Consult with your HOA head or city hall to find out whether you need a building permit.

Landscapes with a steep gradient benefit from staggered walls that create terraces. Experts grade these terraces into flat areas, stepping down to the next level to make sloped yards easy to navigate.

Yes, but it’s best to let a professional company do it for you. Home and business owners can install their own sprinkler systems without the help of an irrigation service. However, they often miss important details or experience system faults they don’t know how to troubleshoot. 

Many DIY installers also end up calling irrigation specialists to repair or correct their faulty installation. Rather, do it right the first time with professionals like Pearce Scapes.

Yes, but only for a few short weeks. Installing a sprinkler system will require digging to place the line. However, professionals like Pearce Scapes will replace any grass, flowers, and landscaping elements after the installation.

The lawn shouldn’t take longer than two to four weeks to grow back. With the new sprinkler system, you can trust that your grass will look twice as good as before.

No, it uses less water than manual watering. Sprinkler systems spread water evenly throughout your landscape in measured amounts. This means regular hydration that doesn’t drown the soil or leave it thirsty. 

Even if you ensure proper watering on a regular basis, you won’t have the same control over water usage as an automated sprinkling system provides.

The price of sprinkler system repairs depends on which parts need fixing or a replacement. For example, sprinkler valve replacements can cost between $50 and $135, depending on the yard size and valve cost.

Sprinkler heads break very often. Many manufacturers make sprinkler heads for easy replacement, so the plastic can be cheap and break down due to the elements.

Yes, a sprinkler system should have maintenance checks at least twice a year. Technicians can winterize your system to prevent freezing, then prepare it for the spring session the following year.

Common signs of a backflow problem include the following:

• Water discoloration
• Odors
• Low water pressure
• Visible particles floating in your water
• Slow draining

Regular backflow service and testing from irrigation experts will also safeguard the water supply from undetectable backflow problems.

Backflow preventers may experience drain buildup, broken valves, cracked pipes, and malfunctioning components that cause poor drainage, messes, cloudy or discolored water, and other system problems.

Experts recommend testing a backflow preventer once a year. Some local governments penalize property owners who do not perform annual testing, so keep the inspections up to date. 

Temperatures in Cypress, TX, differ slightly from other parts of the country. Pearce Scapes typically recommends turning on your irrigation system by mid-March or early April. However, it is integral to monitor temperatures, as leaving your irrigation system on when nightly temperatures dip below 32 degrees can destroy the pipework. 

During the wintertime, it is best to turn off the irrigation or sprinkler system and empty the pipes of excess water to avoid freezing. The process helps avoid potential pipe bursts and cracks. The entire pipe system will then benefit from a professional landscaper performing startup services in spring to check and repair the components before switching on the water.

The cost of spring services like this varies greatly depending on the type of irrigation system. A service like Pearce Scapes covers both residential and commercial irrigation systems and will provide a free estimate upon request.

Sprinkler systems typically have zones, and it takes about five minutes to prepare each zone for winter. The more zones you have, the longer the process will take. In most cases, we complete the work in an hour or less. 

Turn off your irrigation system and prepare for winter before the first hard freeze. Usually, this means sometime in late October or November. Avoid turning off the system too early, as your lawn may need water well into the fall.

If you skip winterization, you risk destroying the entire system. At the very least, freezing water in the pipes, irrigation valves, and sprinkler heads will expand and damage these critical parts. 

It’s a good idea to disconnect the sprinkler controller from its power source during the winter months. If the power goes out during a storm, it could reset the controller, causing it to turn on when the electricity comes back on. This will cause widespread damage to the system.

Although we work to make outdoor lighting installations as problem-free as possible, sometimes issues arise. The most common problems include malfunctioning lights, broken timers, short-circuiting, and loose connections. 

Warm white lighting is the most welcoming and soothing compared to other colors. Some homeowners use warm yellow lights to deter insects, as most bugs ignore them. 

Using LED lights for landscape lighting is the most energy-efficient option. The typical LED lighting installation uses a fraction of the electricity of a halogen or incandescent setup. LED lights also last longer, with an average lifespan of 30,000 to 50,000 hours. 

We might use various types of lighting for walkways, depending on the landscape and the property owner’s vision. Some common types of lighting include inground lights, well lights, accent lights, or lamp post light fixtures. 

Some pathway lights need batteries to work, especially if they use solar energy. We can connect other pathway lights to your electrical system. 

Pathway lights can make your property look tacky if you circumvent professional lighting installation. Professional light technicians only use quality lighting products and create designs that complement your property. 

Pathway lights illuminate walkways, paths, and driveways while enhancing your property’s atmosphere at night.

A lawn should be mowed weekly during the growing season. During the rest of the year, we often cut back to once every other week. 

Frequent mowing will improve your lawn by thickening the grass and encouraging its growth. Grass cuttings can help fertilize your lawn’s soil, providing extra nutrients for the grass. 

Mowing in extreme heat can weaken your already distressed grass. It can also cause dehydration and heat stroke for lawn care technicians.  

Lawn mowing should end between December and February in Cypress, TX. During these months, the soil temperatures may cool enough to halt growth until spring.

Problems with aerating and seeding a yard include performing the service during the wrong season and mowing the lawn too early. It’s best to aerate and overseed a yard when new grass seeds are ready to develop strong roots. 

You can and should aerate and seed your lawn at the same time. Aerating a yard ensures that the new grass seeds have sufficient water, oxygen, and nutrients to grow into a beautiful lawn with healthy green leaves. 

You should immediately water your yard after receiving aeration and seeding services. A regular watering schedule will help the grass seeds germinate and sprout healthy blades.

Problems with aerating and seeding a yard include performing the service during the wrong season and mowing the lawn too early. It’s best to aerate and overseed a yard when new grass seeds are ready to develop strong roots. 

You can and should aerate and seed your lawn at the same time. Aerating a yard ensures that the new grass seeds have sufficient water, oxygen, and nutrients to grow into a beautiful lawn with healthy green leaves. 

You should immediately water your yard after receiving aeration and seeding services. A regular watering schedule will help the grass seeds germinate and sprout healthy blades.

It’s best to fertilize your trees and shrubs in the spring and fall. Fertilizing before winter ensures that the plants have enough nutrients to last them through the season and promote healthy growth in the spring. 

Trees and shrubs usually don’t require fertilizer in nature because they receive enough nutrients through undisturbed soil that recycles organic matter. However, urban landscapes often have soil with nutrient deficiencies because they mix with building debris or lack organic matter to recycle. 

You can tell a tree or shrub needs fertilizer if the plant has smaller-than-normal leaves or difficulty growing each year. The plant may also develop yellow leaves before the fall. 

No, mulch should not smell bad when you have a professional install it. It may smell strong, but it should be earthy, like soil after rain or pleasant woodcuts. Mulch that has decomposed from a lack of oxygen due to poor storage smells like vinegar, ammonia, or fermenting silage.

Some of the most popular rocks to use in a landscape bed include Texas black rock or river rocks. Larger rock options include lava rock or decomposed granite. You should also consider rocks or sediment that comes in smaller pieces, like the following:

• Brick chips
• Pea gravel
• Marble chips
• Granite chips
• Crushed granite gravel

A professional rock installation done by hand will accommodate the plants in your flower and landscape beds much better than a DIY attempt. Our technicians know how to control the thickness of your ground covering to keep from choking the plants. We also help with your landscape maintenance, ensuring the ground is in the right condition for the installation.

Annuals are flowers and plants that bloom for one year before dying. Perennials grow back each year, usually in the warm season, but some come back when it’s cold. Both types of plants can have a spot in your landscape if you have flowers you especially want.

Yes, professional gardeners typically coordinate the installation’s colors with the building. We can also take suggestions based on your favorite colors and build a yard that will dazzle guests.

If you don’t have room for a flowerbed, we can provide potted plants with flattering colors to refresh your space.

Trimming can often happen more than pruning. You can usually expect a quarterly trim and an annual prune, but this also depends on the type of plant.

The best time of year to prune a tree is during its dormant season, usually in late fall and during winter. 

Yes, you should prune a tree or shrub if it proves to be an imminent danger to yourself or your property. For example, branches that could interfere with power lines, break, or fall onto your roof require immediate action.

We usually prune during the late winter instead of the spring. This process helps better maintain the plant’s health while it is in a more dormant state.

The best time to schedule spring yard cleanings in Texas happens around mid-February when the plants have yet to fully bloom.

No. We can schedule and complete high-quality lawn maintenance any time of the year.

Yes, you can perform your own yard maintenance, but you’ll soon discover that the process eats into your time, energy, and budget. Our landscaping professionals already have the tools and skills to perform proper maintenance. Plus, our work doesn’t interrupt your day.

Property owners can care for their landscapes between maintenance visits by:

• Mulching and weeding flower beds
• Mowing their lawn on a regular basis
• Inspecting trees and shrubbery for signs of disease
• Noting landscaping issues like dead grass or dry brush

Reporting these problems to our team lets us handle them for you and provide you with the landscape you want.

Yes, if you want to change how your landscape looks by renovating it, adding, or removing certain elements, our landscaping professionals can help. While these changes consist of a different type of service, you’ll work with the same team you know and trust during the upgrades.

Our team understands the importance of preventive measures when it comes to landscaping maintenance. We perform services ranging from leaf and debris removal to pruning and disease treatment to keep your lawn and garden safe and healthy.

Our team will make recommendations for improving your lawn’s health, such as installing a sprinkler system and regularly checking your landscape for signs of disease or debris piles. Keeping your lawn clear of debris and properly hydrated works wonders for maintaining your commercial grounds between our visits.

Installing a new landscape can breathe life into an otherwise boring commercial property and impress visitors with your creativity and innovation. Whether you want to put in garden beds or install hedges, our team can help you create your dream landscape.

Professional HOA landscaping maintenance ensures a uniform look across your community. When each homeowner uses the same service as the HOA, you can ensure that each home meets the HOA’s lawn and garden regulations. 

Yes, our landscaping team at Pearce Scapes learns and abides by the guidelines and rules laid out for HOA neighborhoods. Whether we’re performing routine maintenance, installing new landscapes, or stringing your community with lights for the holiday season, we ensure every step meets your HOA’s rules.

Yes, our HOA maintenance experts perform regular inspections for water and electrical features like irrigation systems, fountains, and exterior lights. We perform design, installation, and repair services for these as well, so whether you want a new system installed or need to fix your current one, our maintenance services take care of the problem.

The most popular color for holiday lights is warm white, which gives off an inviting and festive golden glow. Winter white, or bright white, is also popular. These lights provide a slight blue glow. 

If you have a homeowners association (HOA) with regulations regarding holiday light displays, working with a professional installation company can help you avoid violations. Be sure to provide our designers with details about restrictions and schedule installation and take-down services within the HOA-approved period.

We offer holiday décor and lighting installation for any holiday or event: Independence Day, Halloween, birthday celebrations, or any other time you want to light up your home.