Sprinkler Maintenance: Dos and Don’ts of Sprinkler Repair

Sprinkler systems are the best asset to any lawns as they offer you healthy growth of the plants without extra watering works. You won’t have to dedicate special time to water your lawn every day yourself. But these sprinklers have to be maintained appropriately to function effectively for a longer time. This requires homeowners to perform certain dos and don’ts with an effective sprinkler repair and maintenance system.

What Is The Best Advice For Sprinkler Maintenance:

Dos

• Inspect Sprinkler Heads Regularly: Check each head for clogs, damage, and correct spray patterns. In Salt Lake City’s hard water conditions (high mineral content), lime buildup can block nozzles more quickly—so plan to remove deposits every 4–6 weeks during peak irrigation season.

• Clean Sprinkler Heads & Replace Risers: Remove soil deposits and debris from heads on a set schedule. If risers are cracked or tilted—common when freeze/thaw cycles settle ground in late fall—replace them to maintain proper water distribution.

• Monitor & Check Water Pressure: Measure water pressure at the main supply and individual zones. Because many SLC homes are on hillsides, pressure can vary by elevation; install a pressure regulator if pressure exceeds 60 psi at upper-elevation zones to prevent misting and runoff.

• Inspect All Valves (Control & Main): Examine control valves at each zone and the main shutoff valve. Look for visible cracks, rips, or leaks in plastic components—especially after winter, when freeze damage is frequent. Replace any faulty sprinkler valve showing mineral crust from city water before spring startup.

• Adjust Sprinkler Heads & Riser Heights: Position heads so they clear obstructions (grass, foliage, or debris). In Salt Lake City’s arid climate, ensure spray patterns avoid sidewalks and driveways to reduce runoff on dry asphalt (which heats and evaporates water quickly).

• Repair Crushed Pipes & Prevent Leaks: After any digging or landscaping (e.g., spring flowerbed work), inspect underground lines for kinks or damage. In areas of SLC where clay soils settle unevenly, check buried PVC/PE pipes more frequently to prevent pressure loss and water waste.

• Address Leaks As Soon As Possible: Any minor leak—whether at a head, valve, or pipe—can lead to significant pressure drops and higher water bills under Salt Lake City’s tiered pricing. Fix leaks immediately to stay within municipal water-allocation limits.

• Flush & Winterize the System Annually: In Salt Lake City, plan to blow out zones by mid-October—before the first hard freeze (often late October)—to remove all water. Use an air compressor rated at 50–60 psi and open manual drain valves to avoid freeze damage in exposed lines.

• Change Sprinkler Schedule Seasonally: Adjust run times and frequency based on local evapotranspiration rates. In summer, SLC lawns need early-morning cycles (4–6 a.m.) to combat high afternoon temperatures; in late fall, reduce cycles after Labor Day and shut off by mid-October.

• Adjust Your Irrigation Controller & Install a Rain Sensor: Program the controller with Salt Lake City’s water-use advisory (even/odd day watering based on street address). A properly installed rain sensor (or soil-moisture sensor suited for arid soils) will suspend cycles during spring snowmelt or summer monsoons.

• Test Electrical Connections & Replace Solenoids: Use a multimeter to verify voltage at each solenoid. If a zone fails to open or close—often caused by corrosion from SLC’s mineral-rich groundwater—replace the solenoid coil promptly to restore functionality.

• Perform a Visual Inspection of Wiring & Transformers: Look for frayed wires, loose connectors, or moisture intrusion around controllers. In basements or garages where SLC winter humidity can spike, use waterproof connectors and seal controller cabinets to prevent corrosion.

• Have the System Professionally Inspected Annually: Engage a certified irrigation technician familiar with Salt Lake City’s backflow-prevention regulations. They’ll test backflow preventers (required by JVWCD) and calibrate pressure regulators to comply with local codes.

• Mind the Sprinkler Heads During Lawn Maintenance: Instruct crews to flag heads before mowing or edging to avoid impact damage—especially in early spring when long grass can obscure heads. Flagged heads help prevent SLC’s frequent spring lawn cleanups from inadvertently breaking nozzles.

• Replace Sprinkler Solenoids When Faulty: If a valve zone fails to engage despite proper wiring, swap out the solenoid. In Salt Lake City’s lower-humidity months, plastic-bodied solenoids can develop hairline cracks—replace at the first sign of leak or erratic valve behavior.

Don’ts

• Don’t Neglect Minor Leaks: Ignoring small drips or wet spots today can lead to low-pressure zones and higher water bills under Salt Lake City’s tiered rate structure. Address any leakage immediately—even a slow leak—before it escalates.

• Don’t Overlook Electrical Issues: Even if heads and valves appear intact, a faulty wire or loose connection (common where underground wiring runs under concrete patios) can disrupt the schedule. Never assume the system is fine—test voltage at each solenoid and replace bad wiring.

• Don’t Skip Annual Winterization: Failing to blow out and drain lines before the first SLC freeze (often late October) will result in cracked pipes and broken heads come spring.

• Don’t Operate with Incorrect Pressure: Running the system at too high or too low pressure causes misting, runoff, or poor coverage. In Salt Lake City’s low-humidity summers, unregulated high pressure wastes water quickly—measure and adjust with a pressure regulator to stay within irrigation limits.

• Don’t Ignore Controller Adjustments: Leaving the schedule unchanged through seasonal shifts wastes water and stresses turf. Update your controller settings whenever SLC temperature or rainfall patterns change—especially after spring snowmelt.

• Don’t Delay Professional Inspections: DIY fixes may overlook local requirements (like annual backflow testing mandated by Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District). Declining a qualified service can lead to noncompliance and bigger repair costs later.

• Don’t Forget to Inspect Control Valves: Assuming all valves close when turned off is risky. A stuck valve can flood a zone—particularly problematic in neighborhoods near City Creek Canyon where steep grades amplify runoff. Always lift the bonnet and inspect internal diaphragms for wear.

• Don’t Bypass Rain Sensor Installation: Running an irrigation system without rain sensing ignores simple water-conservation rules and potentially violates SLC’s watering restrictions. Skipping this step leads to overwatering and possible fines.

• Don’t Overlook Crushed or Displaced Pipes: After landscaping or construction nearby—such as driveway repairs before UDOT’s seasonal street projects—always check for inadvertently damaged lines. A concealed kink can cause mysterious dry spots or high-pressure bursts.

• Don’t Ignore Sprinkler Head Alignment: Heads misaligned toward sidewalks or streets waste water, erode surfaces, and trigger runoff fines under Salt Lake City ordinances. Double-check head position after any adjustments or mowing.

• Don’t Postpone Replacing Faulty Solenoids: A malfunctioning solenoid that only leaks slightly can still affect an entire zone’s performance. Swap it out at the first sign of electrical or mechanical failure, especially before SLC’s dry summer months.

• Don’t Fail to Winterize Backflow Devices: A frozen or damaged backflow preventer not only risks irrigation failure but also compromises the entire household water supply—a critical safety concern given SLC’s municipal requirements.

What Are Seasonal Tips For Maintaining Sprinkler Systems?

Seasonal tips for maintaining sprinkler systems include inspecting sprinkler heads, adjusting watering schedules based on local climate, winterizing pipes before the first frost, and checking for leaks due to shifting soil.

• In spring, Salt Lake City residents must inspect sprinkler heads for clogs and damage caused by winter freeze-thaw cycles. Flushing the system clears mineral buildup common in Utah’s hard water. In summer, adjust watering schedules to early morning or late evening hours to comply with Salt Lake City’s water conservation ordinances and reduce evaporation during hot, dry periods.
• In fall, reduce watering frequency by mid-September as temperatures decline, and clear leaves from sprinkler heads.
• In winter, drain irrigation lines and shut off the water supply by early November to prevent pipe bursts from freezing temperatures, which often reach below 32°F. Wrap exposed pipes with insulation and use compressed air to blow out remaining water in underground lines.

Final thoughts:

Proper sprinkler repair, installation, and maintenance can give you a healthy lawn with the appropriate usage of water. Regardless of the type of lawn, it is advisable to associate with a leading professional service provider like affordable Lawn care. They have been a reliable firm in the industry for several years with genuine guidance and expert lawn care service.