If you want your sprinkler system running at peak efficiency for years to come, you’ll need to regularly maintain it. Whether you do this yourself or pay someone to do it for you our San Antonio sprinker systems professionals are always ready to provide you our best service and this is absolutely essential to get the most out of your sprinkler system.
This means taking care of it 12 months of the year, even during the harsh winter months when it’s not actively in use. The argument can even be made that winter is the most important time of the year to practice good maintenance techniques in regards to your sprinkler system.
But it really is a full-time endeavor, regardless of what month or season it is.
Here are a few effective practices to employ for properly maintaining your sprinkler system on a year-round basis:
Adjust Your Watering Schedule
A good question to ask is how do sprinkler systems save water? Your lawn doesn’t require the same amount of water in the Spring or Fall as it does during the dog days of Summer, so ascertain your needs and adjust accordingly.
In addition to the season, you’ll also want to adjust the different zones of your system to handle the specific needs of your property.
The portions of your lawn, for example, that are in the shade won’t need as much water as the parts that are in the sun for most of the day. Take note of this and make adjustments to your system as needed.
Perform Regular Inspections
You’ll want to inspect your sprinkler system on a regular basis, perhaps the first of every month or on another date that’s easy to remember.
Look for leaks, broken lines, faulty sprinkler heads and anything else that stands out. In addition to performing this task on your own once a month, it’s probably a good idea to have a professional out from time to time to take a look.
He or she will likely notice things that you won’t.
And the earlier you catch potential problems, the easier they’ll be to fix and the less they’ll cost.
Install A Rain Sensor
If you have your sprinklers set on a timer, you run the risk of them going off even in the middle of a big rain storm.
And who wants to be the guy in the neighborhood known for running his sprinklers in the rain?
Set a sensor on your system to keep it from going off when it’s either raining outside or when the temperature falls below a certain point.
This will save you a good deal on your water bill and will also extend the life of your sprinkler system because it won’t be running when it’s not needed.
Clear Obstructions
If your sprinklers are obstructed by a foreign object, be sure to clear the obstruction as soon as you can to avoid wasting water because this can be one of the common problems with sprinkler systems.
If you don’t, you’ll likely be running the system for longer than you need to.
You’ll also want to keep an eye on your sprinkler heads and adjust as needed.
You can do this due to many types of obstructions, both moveable and unmoveable.
If your sprinklers are shooting water directly onto a car, for example, you’ll want to adjust that sprinkler head accordingly.
Check For Runoff
You want your sprinkler system watering the areas it’s supposed to be watering. If you’re seeing runoff, then this is a good indication that something isn’t quite right.
This usually occurs because one area of your lawn is getting more water than it needs, so take a look and adjust the affected areas.
Sprinkler runoff wastes water and will add to your water bill, but it can also be responsible for sending pollutants into the neighborhood storm drains.
Making these adjustments keeps your system in good working order for both the short term and the long term.