How to Prepare Your Sprinkler System for a Texas Summer

Texas summers are among the most demanding in the country for residential irrigation systems. When temperatures push past 100 degrees for weeks at a time, a sprinkler system that was running acceptably in spring can fall behind quickly. Zones that had adequate coverage in April may leave dry patches by July. Heads that drifted slightly over winter can miss targets entirely under full summer pressure. And a small underground leak that was easy to overlook in cool weather becomes an expensive waste when the system is running daily.

The good news is that getting your system ready before the heat arrives takes less time than recovering from damage after. Here is a practical checklist for Wylie, TX and local homeowners.

Run each zone and watch it carefully

The most effective thing you can do is stand outside and manually run each zone while watching what happens. You are looking for heads that are not popping up fully, rotors that are not completing their arc, spray patterns that are hitting fences or driveways instead of grass, and any heads that are bubbling or spraying incorrectly at ground level.

Most homeowners set their system and forget it, so problems that develop gradually over winter and spring go unnoticed until the lawn starts showing damage in the heat. A visual inspection of every zone takes about 20 minutes and will tell you more than any controller diagnostic.

Check and adjust your controller schedule

Spring and summer require very different watering schedules in the area. A schedule set in March may significantly underwater your lawn by June. As a general starting point, most established lawns in the the area need two to three deep watering cycles per week in summer rather than the lighter, more frequent schedule that works in cooler months.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends watering deeply and infrequently to encourage root depth, and scheduling start times in the early morning hours to reduce evaporation. If your controller has a seasonal adjustment feature, now is the time to increase it for summer conditions.

Also check that your rain sensor is functioning properly. A rain sensor that is stuck or disconnected will allow the system to run right after rainfall, wasting water and potentially contributing to overwatering.

Inspect sprinkler heads for damage and alignment

Winter weather, lawn mowing, and foot traffic all take a toll on sprinkler heads over the course of a year. Before summer arrives, walk each zone and look for heads that are cracked, leaning, sunk below grade, or tilted off-axis. A head that is even slightly off-angle can miss its target by several feet at full pressure.

Rotors in particular should be checked to make sure they are rotating through their full arc. Debris, age, and soil settling can cause a rotor to stop partway through, leaving part of the zone without coverage.

Look for signs of underground leaks

Soft spots in the lawn, areas that stay wet between watering cycles, or unexplained rises in your water bill are all signs of an underground leak. Summer is the worst time to discover an underground leak because the system is running more frequently, meaning leaks are doing more damage and wasting more water with every cycle.

If you notice soggy areas, check the valve boxes first. A valve that is not fully closing will leak continuously, and the evidence often shows up as wet soil near the valve box rather than in the middle of the lawn.

Test the backflow device

Your backflow prevention device protects your home’s drinking water supply from irrigation water. In Texas, functioning backflow prevention is required by code. Before the heavy watering season begins, check that the device shows no visible leaks, rust, or corrosion. If the backflow device is dripping or has not been inspected in several years, now is the right time to have it checked or replaced.

Consider a professional system check

A full professional inspection covers everything a visual walkthrough can miss. Pressure testing each zone reveals losses that indicate underground leaks or failing valves. A technician can check wiring continuity, solenoid function, controller programming, and head performance in ways that are difficult to evaluate from the surface.

New Life Irrigation includes a free full system check with every repair visit. If you have not had your system professionally evaluated in a year or more, scheduling a check before peak summer is the most cost-effective way to avoid mid-summer failures when the lawn cannot afford to go without water for even a few days.

Summer watering tips for Wylie and surrounding areas

• Water two to three times per week during peak summer rather than every day. Deep watering builds root depth and drought resistance.
• Run the system in the early morning, between 4am and 8am, to reduce evaporation and disease risk.
• Avoid watering in the afternoon when heat and wind cause most water to evaporate before it reaches the roots.
• Check local watering restrictions. Many cities have seasonal watering day restrictions in summer. Wylie and surrounding cities publish watering schedules on their city websites.
• If your controller does not have a rain sensor, consider adding one. It pays for itself quickly in a Texas summer where afternoon thunderstorms can drop significant rain with little warning.

When to call a professional

If your system has zones that are not functioning, heads that need replacement, a controller that is not responding correctly, or any signs of underground leaks, the best time to address those issues is before the heat arrives, not after. A system that is underperforming going into summer will fall further behind as temperatures rise and watering demands increase.

New Life Irrigation provides sprinkler repair and maintenance throughout Wylie, Murphy, Sachse, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Garland, Richardson, Rockwall, Rowlett, Parker, Lucas, Fairview, Royse City, Saint Paul, and the the area. Same day service available, upfront pricing, and a one year warranty on all repairs.