 sprinkler maintenance 101 sprinkler maintenance 101 your sprinkler system is a critical tool your landscape watering efforts and that makes it a critical part of your water conservation efforts irrigation systems are not the set and forget systems we ve been led to believe proper and timely maintenance is essential below are some general guidelines for caring for and maintaining your irrigation system during spring startup  summer maintenance and fall shutdown spring startup checklist spring is the time to start checking your sprinkler system for peak summer performance one of the most important things you can do to keep your system operating efficiently here s what to do close all manual drains they were probably left open when sprinkler system was drained last fall slowly open the main valve allowing the piping between it and the cross connection backflow prevention assembly to fill with water pressurize the mainline from the backflow prevention assembly to the control valves have one of the control valves open while you do this so air trapped in the piping can escape through the sprinkler heads as the pipes fill with water have the cross connection assembly tested by a statecertified tester contact your local water provider for specific information on rules and regulations be sure to ask for the cross connection or back flow specialist run the entire sprinkler system one zone at a time as you do this check the following signs of leakage especially damage to sprinkler heads or piping which could have occurred over the winter repair and replace as needed accurate spray patterns adjust your sprinkler heads so they water your landscape and not sidewalks or pavement also make sure their spray isn t blocked by plants or other materials clean clogged nozzles and sprinkler heads summer maintenance checklist set it but don t forget it automatic sprinkler systems aren t completely automatic for example they don t adjust themselves when the weather gets hotter or when it rains set a base schedule  that provides 1 per week in lawn areas less for shrub and tree zones and adjust that schedule regularly according to weekly weather trends  most controllers have a water budget or percent adjustment feature that makes adjusting your schedule a very easy process check for broken or misguided heads fall shutdown checklist each fall you should winterize your irrigation system to keep it in prime condition for the next spring and summer to do this turn off the system and empty it of water you also may want to set up an appointment with your water provider to get your backflow checked did you know this is required by law   annual maintenance shutting down here   outdoor  