How often should you spring your irrigation startup and head check?

These tasks are more about efficiency, longevity, and comfort. Not a huge deal if you miss one, but it pays off over time.

Staying on schedule matters beyond the repair bill: a consistent maintenance record is one of the factors in a home's Roots Home Health Score, and well-kept homes typically sell faster and closer to asking price.

How to do it

Starting the system up in spring is the moment to find winter damage before it wastes water all season. Cracked heads, broken lines, and clogged nozzles all show up on a walk-through.

1. Open the water supply slowly to avoid a pressure surge that can burst lines.
2. Run each zone in turn and watch every head pop up, spray, and cover its area.
3. Fix or replace cracked heads, clear clogged nozzles, and straighten tilted heads.
4. Reset the controller schedule for the season and adjust for any new plantings.

Alternatives & optional extras

• Adjust spray patterns so you're watering plants, not the driveway or the house.
• A zone that won't pressurize points to a broken mainline or a stuck valve to track down.

Time: 45 minutes · Typical cost: Free; a few dollars per replacement head

If you skip it

Winter-damaged heads and lines waste water and money all season and can undermine paving or the foundation if a break goes unnoticed.

Other irrigation / sprinklers maintenance

• Winterize irrigation system — once a year, ideally in October

Related systems to keep on schedule

• Deck / patio — start with: inspect deck ledger, fasteners, and boards, once a year, ideally in May
• Pool / spa — start with: clean pool filter, once a month
• Fence — start with: inspect fence posts and boards, once a year
• Driveway — start with: seal driveway cracks, once a year, ideally in June