Lawn Sprinkler Maintenance Tips

Don't forget to perform routine maintenance on your existing sprinklers. Not only will they last longer, but they can also give your lawn more accurate watering.

First, you have to make sure that your sprinkler heads are free from dirt and glass clippings. These may restrict your sprinkler head's movement. Clean out the dirt from inside the sprinkler head as well. You can do this by removing the head and flushing it out with water from the tap or hose. Then, test your sprinklers during the day and watch out for any problems.

One of the problems you may have is getting too much or too little water pressure. This can be because of the local water pressure in your area, or there may be problems with your sprinkler directly. Too much pressure may over-water your lawn and cause damage to your nozzles and sprinkler heads, and too little pressure can leave brown spots. Ideally, spray heads operate at 25 to 30 PSI, while rotor heads operate at 30 to 50 PSI. You can change the pressure on your sprinkler head through pressure-reducing valves, but it's best to consult your sprinkler's manual to see instructions on how to control pressure.

Check for any leaks or breaks in your pipes. These can bring water to undesirable areas in your lawn, and they can also affect your sprinkler's pressure. You can seal up small leaks, but big breaks may require you to replace pipe sections. The best thing you can do is to consult a plumber when major leaking occurs.

If your sprinkler system is equipped with a timer, you should also check if it is in optimum working condition. If it doesn't seem to be working, it may not be getting enough power, or it may not be plugged in properly. If it still doesn't work after you check for power, there might be an internal electrical problem that can be taken care of when you call the manufacturer.