How to Maintain and Inspect an Irrigation System

Having an irrigation system makes watering your lawn and landscaping a breeze. Once you have a system installed, you don’t even need to think about watering your grounds because the system will turn itself on and off with no input from you.

While irrigation systems work as if they’re on autopilot, they do require attention from time to time. If you neglect the maintenance your irrigation system needs, it can drive up your water bill, waste water, cause run-off that may pollute local water sources and lead to unequal or insufficient water distribution. Even if your irrigation system only fails to deliver enough water, it can defeat the point of having the system altogether.

When to Inspect an Irrigation System

Maintaining an irrigation system so that it works properly begins with regular inspections. No matter what kind of irrigation system you have at your property, it’s advisable to inspect it at least twice per season — once when a new season starts and again about halfway through the season. While this twice per season rule of thumb is a good idea, it’s even better if you can check your irrigation system at the start of every month.

The Basics of Irrigation System Maintenance

Although irrigation system maintenance begins with inspections, you need to do more to keep your system in good condition. Here are some of the additional things you should do to maintain your irrigation system:

Make sure the controller is plugged into a power source and that the controller and power supply are working properly.
Update the time and date as needed.
Inspect the connections of the system’s wires and sensors.
Install a new back-up battery when necessary.
Adjust the watering schedule as seasons, watering needs and daylight hours change.
Test each of the system’s watering zones.

Look for Damage and Inefficiencies

Even if you vigilantly maintain your irrigation system, it will still be vulnerable to damage and inefficiencies. While regular inspections will enable you to identify these things, they can waste a lot of water if they spring up between inspections and go undetected. To prevent that from happening, you should keep an eye out for any signs of damage or the presence of anything that impairs your system’s ability to work efficiently.

Here are some of the things you should look out for:

Leaky valves or seals
Pipes that are actively leaking
Broken, missing, tilted or sunken sprinkler heads
Clogged nozzles
Water pressure problems
Inappropriate spray patterns
Run-off
Standing or pooled water
Ground that doesn’t dry out
Dying plants
Brown or unhealthy patches of grass

Trust RLM With Your Irrigation System Maintenance

Homeowners, property managers and business owners throughout Northwest Indiana have trusted Ricci’s Landscape Management with their irrigation system maintenance for decades, and we invite you to do the same. Whether you’re located in Valparaiso, Crown Point, Chesterton or a nearby area, our specialists can install and maintain an irrigation system for you.

To learn how much it will cost for our experienced technicians to maintain your irrigation system, contact us to request a quote now!