Inside Story

Ah, June. the days are long, and the weather’s getting toasty.  But before you slather yourself with SPF 75 and reach for a margarita, do yourself a favor and tackle a few maintenance projects. A little pain now means a big gain later—you’ll ensure your home runs smoothly through the dog days of summer. But don’t worry; the folks at realtor.com want to make it as easy on you as possible. Here’s one that can make a big difference to whether or not you keep your garden growing through the summer months: Service Your Sprinklers.

You should service your yard’s irrigation system to save water, prevent damage to your landscaping, and reduce standing water.

Do It Yourself

To service your sprinkler system…

Start by visually inspecting sprinkler heads for damage or improper spray patterns.

• Look for cracks, broken parts, or misaligned heads.
• Ensure they aren’t blocked by plants or other obstructions.
• Check for proper spray patterns and adjust as needed to avoid watering sidewalks or driveways.

Clean any debris or mineral buildup from heads and filters.

• Detach the spray head by turning it counterclockwise.
• Soak the head in a solution of water and rust remover to dissolve mineral buildup.
• Scrub with a brush and rinse thoroughly.
• Lubricate moving parts with a lubricant like WD-40.
• Clean filter screens in the valve box with a brush and water. 

Check for leaks around heads and valves, and adjust or replace damaged parts as needed.

• Inspect for leaks around sprinkler heads, pipes, and valves.
• Look for soggy spots in the yard, which can indicate a leak.
• Repair or replace damaged parts, including seals and pipes. 

Test the system’s water pressure.

• Check the water pressure of the system, as low or high pressure can indicate a problem.
• Low pressure can be due to a clogged filter, a leak, or a valve issue.
• High pressure can be due to a faulty pressure regulator or a leak. 

Finally, adjust the watering schedule based on the sun/ heat exposure and type of plants in the area.

• Adjust the watering schedule based on the season and weather conditions.
• Consider using smart irrigation tools for efficient watering.
• Avoid overwatering and runoff, especially during rain. 

When to Call in the Pros

If you don’t know what kind of maintenance your sprinkler system needs, encounter complex issues, are unsure about any of the steps and/or the thought of doing all of this yourself gives you a panic attack, call a professional irrigation technician.

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Photo Credit:  welcomia / Shutterstock.com