Irrigation System Maintenance: What Every Homeowner Should Know

A quality irrigation system is a significant investment in your property. Like any mechanical system, it requires regular maintenance to operate efficiently and remain reliable. Neglected systems waste thousands of gallons of water annually and can quietly damage landscapes through over- or under-watering.

Spring Startup

Before running your system for the first time in spring, turn water on slowly to avoid water hammer — the pressure surge that occurs when water rushes into dry pipes. Walk each zone and visually inspect every head for proper operation, coverage, and damage from freeze-thaw or equipment.

Test the backflow preventer for leaks. Check the controller to ensure programming reflects current watering needs — early spring needs are very different from July.

Mid-Season Check

At least once during the active season, do a complete zone-by-zone audit. Look for heads that are clogged, tilted, or blocked by plant growth that has occurred since spring startup. A head buried in overgrowth isn't watering anything useful.

Check pressure. Low pressure produces poor distribution uniformity — some areas get too much, others get too little. A pressure gauge on a hose bib can tell you if your system is receiving adequate supply pressure.

Smart Controller Optimization

If you have a smart controller, verify it's connected to current local weather data. Update the water budget seasonally — most controllers let you increase or decrease run times by a percentage without reprogramming individual zones. Reduce budgets in cool, wet fall periods and increase during peak summer stress.

Winterization

Tennessee does experience freezing temperatures that can crack irrigation pipes and heads if water is left in the system. Proper winterization involves blowing out residual water with compressed air — a job that requires the right equipment and knowledge of your system layout.

We recommend professional winterization every fall. The cost of winterization is minimal compared to the cost of replacing burst pipes or damaged heads from a hard freeze.

Signs Your System Needs Attention

Wet spots between zones (underground leak), dry spots despite regular watering (clogged head or broken pipe), unusually high water bills (system running excessively), and visible head damage are all signs to call for service before the problem gets worse.

We provide irrigation startup, mid-season audits, repairs, and winterization services for homeowners throughout Middle Tennessee.