A sprinkler system audit is a good way to improve irrigation efficiency, reduce water waste, and keep your landscape healthy.
Performing a sprinkler audit each spring AND importantly, again during the peak of summer - conserves water and keeps your lawn landscape looking their best.
Begin by turning on each irrigation zone and walking the property to inspect every sprinkler head. Look for clogged or broken nozzles, leaking valves, tilted heads, poor spray patterns, and areas where water is hitting sidewalks or driveways instead of plants.
Check that pop-up heads rise and retract properly, and make sure taller plants or turf haven't grown over the sprinklers, blocking their coverage. An effective system should provide even, overlapping coverage without excessive runoff or dry spots.
Next, measure how evenly your system applies water by placing several identical, straight-sided containers - such as empty tuna cans or rain gauges - throughout each zone before running the sprinklers for 15 to 20 minutes.
Compare the amount of water collected in each container to identify areas that are overwatered or underwatered. Adjust sprinkler heads, replace worn nozzles, and modify run times as needed to improve uniformity.
While you're auditing the system, inspect drip irrigation tubing for leaks or clogged emitters, test the rain or soil moisture sensor if your system has one, and update your watering schedule to match the season and/or HOA requirements.
Begin by turning on each irrigation zone and walking the property to inspect every sprinkler head. Look for clogged or broken nozzles, leaking valves, tilted heads, poor spray patterns, and areas where water is hitting sidewalks or driveways instead of plants.
Check that pop-up heads rise and retract properly, and make sure taller plants or turf haven't grown over the sprinklers, blocking their coverage. An effective system should provide even, overlapping coverage without excessive runoff or dry spots.
Next, measure how evenly your system applies water by placing several identical, straight-sided containers - such as empty tuna cans or rain gauges - throughout each zone before running the sprinklers for 15 to 20 minutes.
Compare the amount of water collected in each container to identify areas that are overwatered or underwatered. Adjust sprinkler heads, replace worn nozzles, and modify run times as needed to improve uniformity.
While you're auditing the system, inspect drip irrigation tubing for leaks or clogged emitters, test the rain or soil moisture sensor if your system has one, and update your watering schedule to match the season and/or HOA requirements.