You know that feeling when you finally get your lawn looking lush, green, and magazine-worthy—only for brown spots to pop up out of nowhere a few weeks later? Yeah, we’ve been there. Usually, it’s not your grass. It’s not even your fertilizer. It’s your sprinkler system quietly misbehaving behind the scenes.
The truth is, automatic sprinklers aren’t really “set it and forget it” systems. They need regular checkups, fine-tuning, and the occasional “What the heck is that leak?” moment. That’s where sprinkler system maintenance comes in—and why we’re big believers in staying ahead of small issues before they turn into big lawn disasters.
At Lawn Masters, we’ve seen what neglected sprinkler systems can do to a yard (spoiler: it’s not pretty). But we’ve also seen what regular maintenance can do—consistently green lawns, healthier plants, lower water bills, and fewer emergency calls during heatwaves. Let’s dig into why sprinkler maintenance matters, what it includes, and how we can keep your system running smoothly all year long.
Why Sprinkler System Maintenance Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought
You wouldn’t ignore your car for 12 months and hope it still runs perfectly, right? Same goes for your sprinkler system. A few small adjustments and inspections throughout the year can prevent costly repairs, save gallons of water, and keep your lawn looking consistently sharp.
Here’s the thing: sprinkler systems aren’t just a few plastic heads in the ground. They’re made up of zones, valves, wiring, sensors, and water pressure controls—all of which can wear down, clog, freeze, or shift over time. And since most of it’s underground, you won’t always know there’s a problem until your grass starts turning crispy.
Regular sprinkler system maintenance catches those problems early. It keeps your system efficient, your lawn hydrated, and your weekends free of hose-dragging and guesswork.
What Our Sprinkler System Maintenance Includes
When you call us to maintain your sprinkler system, we don’t just eyeball the sprinkler heads and call it a day. We run through a full checklist to make sure everything’s working as it should—and if it’s not, we fix it.
Here’s what a typical maintenance visit includes:
- Full system inspection: We check each zone, head, and valve to make sure water is flowing evenly and where it’s supposed to go.
- Pressure testing: Too much pressure? That’s a recipe for broken heads. Too little? Your grass might as well be in a drought. We balance it.
- Head alignment and adjustment: Sprinkler heads get knocked out of place by mowers, foot traffic, or wild weather. We realign and adjust the spray to make sure it’s not watering your driveway or neighbor’s fence.
- Clog and leak checks: Dirt, grass clippings, and mineral buildup can block your heads. Underground leaks? They waste water and money. We catch both.
- Controller settings: We’ll reprogram your system based on seasonal needs and watering restrictions, so you’re not overdoing it or underwatering.
- Seasonal prep: We winterize systems in the fall and restart them in the spring so pipes don’t freeze and burst.
In other words: we do the dirty work so your lawn stays clean, green, and hydrated.
Signs You Might Need Sprinkler System Maintenance (Even If Everything “Looks Fine”)
Here’s the catch—sprinkler issues aren’t always obvious at first. Your lawn might be mostly green. Your water bill might seem “normal.” But small problems can quietly build up in the background.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s probably time to call us:
- Dry patches in random areas
- Oversaturated zones or puddles forming
- Water hitting sidewalks or fences
- Uneven spray patterns
- Decreased water pressure
- Sprinkler heads not popping up
- Spiking water bills with no clear cause
- Controller or timer acting weird
Sometimes, it’s as simple as a blocked nozzle or misaligned head. Other times, it’s a cracked pipe underground or a faulty solenoid that needs replacing. The key is catching it early—and that’s what routine sprinkler system maintenance is for.
The Cost of Skipping Maintenance (Spoiler: It’s More Than You Think)
We get it—no one’s excited to spend money on something that seems to be working fine. But sprinkler systems are one of those things where the cost of ignoring them adds up fast.
Here’s what can happen if maintenance takes a back seat:
- Higher water bills: Leaks and inefficient spray waste hundreds of gallons a month.
- Dead grass: Replacing sod is way more expensive than a service call.
- Landscape damage: Too much water can drown plants or cause erosion.
- Frozen lines: Failing to winterize can lead to burst pipes and major repair bills.
- Shortened system lifespan: Skipping basic upkeep can cut years off your system’s life.
Regular maintenance is like giving your system a tune-up. It keeps things running better, longer—and avoids those budget-busting surprises.
When to Schedule Sprinkler System Maintenance
You don’t need weekly visits, but a couple of well-timed checkups each year go a long way.
Here’s what we typically recommend:
- Spring Startup: We turn the system back on, check for winter damage, adjust spray patterns, and reprogram the controller for spring watering schedules.
- Mid-Season Check: Around midsummer, we like to do a quick inspection to make sure everything’s still running efficiently during peak watering season.
- Fall Winterization: Before the first freeze, we blow out the lines to prevent any leftover water from freezing and cracking pipes.
Bonus points if you call us right after a big landscaping project. Any new planting, hardscaping, or even lawn mowing changes can affect how your sprinklers operate.
Why Lawn Masters Is the Right Crew for the Job
We don’t just install sprinkler systems—we maintain them, upgrade them, and rescue them from neglect. Our team has years of hands-on experience with all major irrigation brands and systems, and we know how to troubleshoot issues quickly and efficiently.
But we’re not just here to “fix stuff.” We’re here to help your lawn thrive. That means showing up on time, doing a thorough job, explaining what we find, and helping you understand how your system works. No mystery. No upsells. Just honest work that keeps your yard in top shape.
Our clients trust us because we treat every yard like it’s our own—and we’re not satisfied unless everything’s working exactly as it should.
Don’t Wait Until the Grass Goes Brown
It’s easy to forget about your sprinklers when they’re buried underground and not making noise. But that silence can be deceptive. Most system failures don’t announce themselves until your lawn starts suffering—or your water bill does.
If you’ve never had your system checked… if your grass isn’t looking as good as it used to… or if you just want peace of mind knowing everything is running like it should, we’ve got you.
Call us today or fill out the form at the top of this page to schedule sprinkler system maintenance with Lawn Masters. We’ll take care of the details so you can enjoy a healthier lawn without lifting a hose.