5 Sprinkler System Maintenance Tips
Spring is here, making it the perfect time to learn the best practices for sprinkler care. A little effort now helps prevent dry patches, high water bills, and repairs later. If you’re wondering how to maintain a sprinkler system without getting overwhelmed, follow this simple maintenance checklist to keep your lawn healthy and green all summer.
Run a Full System Test and Inspect Each Zone
Before making any adjustments, manually run each sprinkler zone and slowly walk around your property. Watch for heads that aren’t popping up fully, spraying weakly, or not rotating properly. These early warning signs mean it’s time to put some sprinkler system troubleshooting tips to work. Catching problems like leaks, clogs, or uneven coverage now is much easier than spotting them later once your system is running on autopilot.
Check and Clean All Sprinkler Heads
Dirt clods, grass clippings, and even insects can block your sprinkler heads, causing uneven watering or total failure in certain areas. Gently remove debris and give each head a good rinse. Proper cleaning prepares your sprinklers for summer by setting them up for the best performance possible. If any are badly clogged or damaged, replacing them is a simple DIY sprinkler system repair.
Adjust Spray Patterns and Coverage
One of the most important steps of maintaining a sprinkler system is fine-tuning the spray direction and distance. Heads may shift during the winter or get bumped by mowers and foot traffic. Make sure you’re watering your grass, not your sidewalk, driveway, or fence. Small adjustments to the nozzle or rotation settings can greatly improve water efficiency.
Inspect Valves, Pipes, and Connectors for Leaks
Throughout the winter, underground components may have developed cracks or weak spots. Look for overly wet patches in the yard, puddles around valve boxes, or a sudden drop in water pressure. Early leak detection is a crucial sprinkler system troubleshooting tip because it saves you from bigger repairs and keeps your system running efficiently. If you notice a problem, many simple leaks can be fixed with a basic DIY sprinkler system repair—no need to call in a pro unless there’s a major break.
Update Your Controller Settings
Smart watering practices keep your system efficient and your grass thriving. Set your system to run early in the morning when evaporation rates are low, giving the water time to soak deep into the soil where the roots can absorb it effectively. It’s best to delay watering on windy days to prevent water loss and uneven coverage. To prevent overwatering, match your schedule to your lawn’s specific needs and activate your rain sensor if your controller has one.
Summer-Ready Sprinklers Start Here
At Howe Lumber, we know a thing or two about lawn and garden care. Our full-service lumberyard is East Brookfield’s trusted resource for DIY projects, both large and small. We’ll help you find exactly what you need when preparing your sprinklers for summer, whether you prefer to shop online or in person at our retail store. Contact us today to see Howe we can help!