Simple Sprinkler System Maintenance

A lawn sprinkler system is a great way to make sure your lawn and garden get the proper amount of water.

Maintaining your yard sprinkler system is not as hard as you might think. You should do some occasional check-ups on your sprinkler system, to make sure everything is working properly.

• Check your sprinkler heads. Look for any clogs and clean them if need be. Also look for damage. Damaged sprinkler heads need to be replaced. Make sure sprinkler heads have not become covered or clogged by overgrown grass or weeds. One installation note: The sprinkler heads should be the same in each zone of the yard. If a sprinkler head needs a replacement part, unscrew the broken part and take it to a store to buy a matching replacement part.
• Check the system for leaks. Put plastic cups in watering areas and let the system run. Check to see if some cups have less water than others. If you discover a sprinkler head with a low flow, unscrew the sprinkler head, clean the filter and check for any leaks or cracks.
• Determine if you need to adjust spray patterns. Use a screwdriver for the adjustments. Make sure the spray patterns avoid sidewalks, driveways and roads. Watering these areas is just a waste of money and water.
• Check for dry spots. This goes back to spray patterns and water coverage areas. Dry spots on your lawn can be a result of poor coverage or improperly positioned sprinkler heads.
• Check for wet spots. These could be an indicated of a sprinkler head leak.