Maintenance
Guide for
Landscape
Irrigation
Systems
A well-maintained landscape
Resources irrigation system keeps your system
Irrigation with a Pro - running efficiently and can help to reduce
U.S. EPA WaterSense Program your water consumption, save money, and
https://www.epa.gov/watersense/irrigation-pro
maintain a healthy and attractive
Irrigation for Lawns and Gardens - landscape. According to U.S. EPA’s
Georgia Cooperative Extension Service WaterSense Program, properly managing
http://extension.uga.edu/publications/ your irrigation system can help to reduce
www.northgeorgiawater.org
Basic Repairs and Maintenance for your annual outdoor water use by nearly
Home Landscape Irrigation Systems 8,800 gallons, equivalent to the amount of
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae451 water used to take 500 showers!
@NorthGAWater
Be sure to check for the WaterSense
label when determining which irrigation
system, fixtures, and equipment are
right for your lawn.
Uniform System Coverage Annual System Check Regular Maintenance Periodically have your system audited by a
licensed or certified landscape professional.
1. Adjust sprinklers to have an on-target trajectory Before running your system in the spring… Check your system once a month. Observation is
so only your lawn is watered and not the house, the key to water savings.
paved surfaces, sidewalk or street. Depending on 1. Clean valve boxes and rain sensor of dirt and debris.
where you live, actions such as these may be in Check to make sure rain sensor is working properly. Look for signs of under-watering or over-watering
violation of your jurisdiction’s Water Waste Policy. such as brown spots and areas that are greener or
consistently wet and soggy. Adjust for uniformity.
Source: Hydro Environmental Inc. Photo courtesy of James Phillips Source: Hydro Environmental Inc. Source: Mike Clark, Johnson & Associates
Valve box Rain sensor Improperly functioning rotor sprinkler head
Head to Head uniform system coverage
2. Inspect and clean filters. Filters are usually located Source: Mike Clark, Johnson & Associates
Uneven application
2. Make sure your sprinkler heads, when extended, near where the water exits the house. To clean
rise above the height of the grass for uniform out sediment, open the flush valve at the bottom Check for blocked spray streams and check
coverage. Use taller heads in flower and of the filter and turn on the water for 1 minute (a). the position of the sprinklers. Adjust sprinkler
shrub beds. Check that sprinkler heads are not To clean sediment screen, turn the water off, heads that are tilted, blocked by grass and
tilted or broken. remove filter body and spray with hose (b). plants, or buried.
a b
Properly functioning rotor sprinkler head
Winterization
Source: Hydro Environmental Inc.
At the end of the watering season, usually around
Sprinkler head is buried and can not pop up to properly October…
3. Flush your system. Remove the last sprinkler water the lawn
head in each line and let the water run for a few
1. Turn off water supply at the main valve.
Source: Mike Clark, Johnson & Associates
minutes to flush out any dirt and debris. Replace Check the valves, sprinkler heads, nozzles and
Sprinkler heads are only directed towards grass so the sprinkler heads and turn the system on, emitters for obvious problems such as clogged or 2. Set the irrigation controller to the “rain” or
that the pavement is not being watered. running one valve at a time. misaligned heads, bubbling and misting. Replace “off” setting.
those that are broken or cracked.
3. If you notice extensive uneven sprinkler head 4. Check your timer and the battery. 3. Turn on each valve to release pressure from
sprays within a zone, this can be a result of Make sure that your system runs Look for pinched or broken tubing and straighten the pipes.
pressure problems. Make sure all sprinkler for the scheduled amount of time. or replace it.
heads in a zone spray evenly. If problems Set timer to comply with watering 4. Let the water drain out of the system or have it
Automatic
persist, have a licensed or certified landscape requirements. State law allows Control Timer Cap sprinkler heads that are no longer needed in blown out by a professional to protect your
professional check the system’s design for outdoor watering for residential order to prevent system leakage. system from during the winter months.
water pressure and uniformity problems. purposes before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. If the
Georgia Environmental Protection Division
declares a drought response, watering restrictions may
apply. Go to gadrought.org for more information.
Check your irrigation manual for details for your system.
