Reduce Water Bills With a Sprinkler System Check-Up

Written by Justin Wilson on February 28, 2025. Posted in Sprinkler Maintenance. No Comments on Reduce Water Bills With a Sprinkler System Check-Up

A high water bill can be frustrating, especially when your sprinkler system is the culprit. Hidden leaks, poor timer settings, and outdated sprinkler heads could drive up your water bill without you even realizing it. Regular maintenance keeps your system running efficiently and prevents unnecessary costs.

At American Irrigation Repair, we specialize in helping homeowners in Leander, Austin, and Georgetown, Texas, reduce their water bills with a sprinkler system check-up.

How Sprinkler System Maintenance Lowers Your Water Bill

A professional sprinkler system check ensures your irrigation system works efficiently. Small issues can lead to high water usage and skyrocketing bills without regular maintenance. Here’s how a check-up helps:

Detects system leaks: Small leaks can waste hundreds of gallons of water. A professional inspection can identify and fix leaks before they drain your wallet.
Optimizes timer settings: Incorrect scheduling can lead to overwatering. Adjusting your timer ensures your lawn gets the right amount of water without waste.
Regulates water pressure: High pressure can damage sprinkler heads and cause overspray. Proper pressure regulation keeps water distribution even and efficient.
Ensures proper sprinkler head functionality: Broken or misaligned sprinkler heads can waste water by spraying driveways, sidewalks, or the street instead of your lawn.

Key Areas Experts Check During Sprinkler System Tune-Ups

Professionals inspect and adjust several irrigation system components for maximum efficiency during a sprinkler system check-up. Here’s what they look for:

Sprinkler heads: They prioritize checking for clogs, cracks, or misalignment.
System leak detection: Contractors identify underground or above-ground leaks.
Pressure regulation: They ensure water pressure is at optimal levels.
Timer settings: Crews adjust watering schedules for seasonal changes.
Coverage and efficiency: Specialists make sure all areas receive proper water distribution.

Seasonal Sprinkler System Maintenance and Winterization

Your irrigation needs change with the seasons. Regular winterization and seasonal adjustments prevent costly damage and keep your system running efficiently year-round.

Spring and summer: Prepare the system for increased watering needs by checking for leaks, proper sprinkler head function, and timer adjustments.
Fall: Reduce watering frequency and prepare for colder temperatures by draining excess water.
Winter: Winterization prevents frozen pipes and system damage by shutting down and insulating exposed parts.

The Importance of Smart Irrigation Technology

Smart irrigation systems make water conservation easier and more effective. These systems optimize watering schedules and reduce waste by integrating technology like:

Weather-based controllers
Soil moisture sensors
Automated timer adjustments

A sprinkler system check-up can ensure your system is compatible with smart technology and help you make the most of these advancements. Investing in smart irrigation improves efficiency and can significantly save your water bill.

Contact Us At American Irrigation Repair

A sprinkler system check-up reduces water waste and lowers your utility bills. Regular maintenance ensures your system operates efficiently, prevents costly repairs, and conserves water.

At American Irrigation Repair, we provide expert sprinkler maintenance services in Leander, Austin, and Georgetown, Texas. If you need a professional irrigation system tune-up, call us today at 512-943-6080.

Protecting Your Sprinkler System During the Cold Months

Written by Justin Wilson on January 31, 2025. Posted in Sprinkler Maintenance, Irrigation. No Comments on Protecting Your Sprinkler System During the Cold Months

When winter approaches, protecting your sprinkler system becomes crucial for homeowners in central Texas. Freezing temperatures can cause extensive damage to your irrigation components if not properly winterized.

Whether you’re a new homeowner or a seasoned gardener, understanding how to protect your sprinkler system during cold weather is essential. In this guide, American Irrigation Repair will explain how to safeguard your outdoor watering setup from winter damage.

Understanding Your System Components

Your outdoor watering network consists of several critical parts that need protection. The backflow preventer serves as a safety mechanism to keep contaminated water from entering your home’s drinking supply. The timer controls when your system operates, while zone valves direct water flow to different areas of your landscape.

Winterization Checks for Cold Weather Protection

Proper drainage is the first line of defense against freezing temperatures. When water remains in the pipes, it can expand and cause cracks or breaks in your system’s components. This process requires careful attention to ensure all water is removed from the underground network.

The following items require routine inspections before and during winter to ensure proper functioning:

The main water supply valve
Underground piping
Sprinkler heads and nozzles
Control mechanisms
Drainage points

Regular maintenance helps identify potential issues before they become major problems. A thorough inspection should examine your system’s water pressure to ensure optimal performance. Professionals can spot early warning signs of wear and tear that might lead to failures during freezing weather.

How To Install a Multi-Zone Irrigation System

A multi-zone irrigation setup allows you to precisely control water delivery to different areas of your landscape, ensuring each plant gets exactly what it needs to thrive. This targeted approach not only promotes healthier growth but can also significantly reduce your water usage and utility bills throughout the year while preventing winter damage risks.

Installing a multi-zone setup requires careful planning and expertise. Each zone should be designed to address specific watering needs based on:

Plant types and water requirements
Soil conditions and drainage patterns
Sun exposure and shade areas
Property slope and terrain features

The installation process involves mapping your yard, installing main lines, connecting zone valves, and positioning sprinkler heads for optimal coverage. Proper placement ensures efficient water distribution while minimizing waste.

Protecting System Components Before the First Freeze

Insulation is vital in preventing freeze damage. During cold snaps, your backflow preventer and exposed pipes need adequate covering. The timer should be programmed to accommodate seasonal changes in watering needs.

Consider these protective measures:

Foam covers for exposed pipes
Insulated bags for the backflow preventer
Weather-resistant housing for the timer
Protective caps for sprinkler heads

Integrating Smart Technology for Better Preparedness

Modern sprinkler system technology includes features that help prevent freeze damage. Smart controllers can automatically adjust watering schedules based on weather forecasts and suspend operation during freezing temperatures.

Choose American Irrigation Repair for Winter Protection

Your sprinkler system requires proper maintenance to withstand cold weather challenges. At American Irrigation Repair, we specialize in comprehensive system maintenance and repairs throughout Leander and Austin, TX.

When you need assistance with your outdoor watering setup, contact American Irrigation Repair at (512) 943-6080.

How to Find Sprinkler Lines

Written by Justin Wilson on January 20, 2025. Posted in Sprinkler Maintenance. No Comments on How to Find Sprinkler Lines

Last Modified: 1/20/25

Finding sprinkler lines can seem tricky, but there are effective ways to locate them without unnecessary digging. If you’re wondering how to find sprinkler lines without digging or need tips on how to find PVC sprinkler lines, tools like wire locators or electronic line tracers can help pinpoint their location with ease. For those trying to figure out how to find sprinkler heads or how to avoid sprinkler lines when digging, start by identifying the layout of your system, often guided by the location of valves or control boxes. In Travis, where irrigation is common, knowing how to find sprinkler lines in Texas can save time and prevent costly repairs. Using these methods ensures you avoid damaging your system while keeping your yard intact.

Why Locating Sprinkler Lines is Important

There are essential reasons behind seeking a precise location of the property’s underground sprinkler lines. For one thing, digging or installations on your property that interfere with your system’s lines can compress or puncture those lines, leading to expensive repairs and the risk of water damage.

It’s also helpful to immediately locate lines to remedy:

Leaks.
Water pressure problems.
Maintenance or repair issues.

As experts like American Irrigation Repair will tell you, locating lines with precision is the first step to handling this sort of work efficiently. After all, causing unnecessary property damage is something everyone wants to avoid!

Methods for Locating Sprinkler Lines

So, what are the methods professionals use to locate underground sprinkler system lines?

Check for a System Map

While it might seem obvious, the easiest method for quickly locating sprinkler lines is to refer to a system map. Installation companies often prepare a detailed map that shows the exact location of sprinkler heads and service lines. When properly drafted, these maps provide accurate measurements from building foundations, curbs, and fixed property markers.

Have you lost your system map? Are you unsure if you received one when you installed the system or when you bought the property? Try contacting the company that installed the system for a duplicate map.

Look for Sprinkler Heads

Do you know how to find sprinkler lines? Well, lines always connect to sprinkler heads. In the absence of a map, the sprinkler heads’ locations provide you with great clues as to the location of any underground lines.

A technician might approach this process by marking the position of each sprinkler head to trace the approximate path between them. Installers usually run straight lines between each head, forming a grid (unless there are some obstructions or other reasons to deviate from straight lines). A grid formation is the most efficient distribution system, and you can easily mark these lines between sprinkler heads with flags or spray paint.

Find Valve Boxes

Valve boxes are another essential component of your property’s sprinkler system. The boxes house the valves that control water flow to each zone of your irrigation system. Installers usually place valve boxes close to buildings or sprinkler heads in a round lid mounted flush with the ground.

When repair technicians locate a valve box, they can trace lines from valves to nearby sprinkler heads. (Some valve box designs place them below the surface, so you would carefully dig around it to expose the box without damaging the lines that connect to it).

Use a Line Tracer

As its name suggests, a line tracer is an electronic device that helps locate underground lines without extensive digging. Knowing how to find sprinkler lines with a tracer is quite simple:

You send an electronic signal through the wires that run alongside sprinkler lines.
A receiver picks up the signal.
The tracer interprets the signal, indicating the precise path of the sprinkler lines.

This technology is helpful with older irrigation systems that lack a reliable system map.

Probe for Sprinkler Lines

Have you thought about using a probe to locate underground sprinkler lines? The probing tool enters the soil to feel for resistance from pipes buried under the surface.

It’s low-tech, and you must exercise caution to avoid damaging buried lines.

Ground Marking Techniques

One final technique is ground marking, a straightforward sprinkler line location method that involves digging around sprinkler heads or valve boxes to locate a section of the pipe. After the dig exposes a line, mark its path with flags or spray paint.

This process is time-consuming. It requires a good bit of digging in precise locations, but it does offer certainty in your search for water lines.

Contact American Irrigation Repair for Complete Sprinkler System Maintenance Today

That’s how to find sprinkler lines. As you can see, some professional assistance would come in handy to leverage the technology and tools needed for precise sprinkler line mapping.

Serving property owners around Georgetown, Round Rock, and Austin, Texas, since 1997, American Irrigation Repair offers award-winning service and risk-free system analysis. Call (512) 943-6080 today to schedule service or learn more!

Sprinkler Control 101: Understanding Your Sprinkler Control Box & Best Drainage Practices

Written by Justin Wilson on December 30, 2024. Posted in Sprinkler Maintenance, Sprinkler Repair. No Comments on Sprinkler Control 101: Understanding Your Sprinkler Control Box & Best Drainage Practices

Is your sprinkler system not performing as well as you hoped? The right sprinkler control box settings and drainage practices can make a difference.

As trusted irrigation specialists in Austin and Leander, our team at American Irrigation Repair is trained to know how to keep lawns green and lush. Keep reading for a few handy sprinkler tips.

Water Only As Needed

Some people prefer to stick to a strict watering schedule. It’s more convenient, yes, but not the best long-term approach for sprinkler system longevity.

Why not wait until you see the signs of drought stress in your grass? That might look like the following:

Grass blades turn bluish-gray.
Footprint impressions become visible after walking across the lawn.
Grass blades curl or wilt.
The soil feels dry to the touch a few inches down.

Irrigation experts will tell you it’s actually good to let your lawn dry out a bit. A short period of water stress encourages the roots to grow deeper, making the lawn more drought-resistant over time.

Inspect the Irrigation Control Box & Settings

Does your lawn seem too dry or soggy? Look at your sprinkler control box’s settings. You could have set the wrong schedule by mistake. During the wintertime, it’s common to water far too frequently. A little goes a long way when temperatures are mild.

The controller box settings can sometimes revert to default after a power outage or maintenance, so double-check the start times, run times, and days. If the settings seem fine, your control box might have a bigger issue. Worn wiring or faulty components can disrupt performance, so you’ll need to bring in a sprinkler system care specialist for an inspection.

Ensure Your Heads are Clean – You May Need to Flush Any Clogged Screens.

Sprinkler systems should drain automatically after each cycle. Sometimes the nozzles can back-siphon debris into them causing the screens to plug. Ensuring the heads are set at grade correctly will help prevent debris from entering the system. Removing and flushing the debris from the screens may be necessary if you see clogs.

Clogs and debris: Small particles, like dirt or sand, can impede the flow and create pressure and coverage issues.

Drain Your Sprinkler System During Freezing Weather

During cold weather, you will want to drain your backflow valve. Leaving water in the system during freezing temps may cause the backflow to split or crack causing leaks.

Backflow: The backflow preventer’s purpose is to prevent dirty water from entering your home drinking water supply. Backflow is caused when your system has negative pressure or when water changes direction in the pipes. Usually, this is from an open hydrant, a nearby pump, or a damaged water main.
Backflow devices with the highest risk of freezing damage: Some devices are required to be above ground. Most commonly these are installed on homes that have septic systems. If you have a device that is above ground, ensure the backflow is insulated and wrapped well.

The safest bet is to use unions and remove the entire valve during freezing weather. This allows you to store the device indoors where it will not freeze. When draining your system to prepare for freezing weather, our team will usually drain or remove the valve to prevent component damage. We turn off the water supply valve, open all inlet and outlet drains by moving the handles to a 45° angle, and lastly, open the drain valve and let it empty.

Assess the Sprinklers

Does one spot seem to get too much water? The best water drainage solutions are the simplest. First, look for misaligned sprinkler heads – they sometimes shift due to foot traffic, mowing, or weather.

A clogged sprinkler head won’t dispense water evenly, either. Unscrew the nozzle and rinse it under running water.

Get Professional Sprinkler Maintenance in Austin and Leander

Do the sprinkler control box and heads need more than a quick fix? American Irrigation Repair can calibrate them, replace damaged parts, and incorporate proper drainage methods. Dial (512) 943-6080 to book a checkup or find out more sprinkler drainage practices or sprinkler maintenance tips in Austin and Leander!

How To Service Sprinkler Systems

Written by Justin Wilson on November 20, 2024. Posted in Sprinkler Maintenance, Irrigation. No Comments on How To Service Sprinkler Systems

Installing a lawn irrigation system ensures your garden gets enough water without requiring extra time and attention from you. You’ll also want to know how to service sprinkler systems if you want to keep your equipment in excellent condition for as long as possible. American Irrigation Repair shares some essential sprinkler service maintenance steps below.

How To Tell If Irrigation System Repair Is Necessary

The longer you ignore sprinkler damage, the worse it’ll get. Call an irrigation system specialist for immediate inspection and repair services. Irrigation system repair is likely necessary if you notice one or more of the following problems:

Damaged sprinkler risers or heads
Leaks
Visible damage to water lines
Increasing water bills without an obvious reason
Areas of extra green grass growth or marshy areas in the lawn

Best Sprinkler Maintenance Tips To Remember

If you want to learn how to service sprinkler systems and keep your yard healthy and looking its best, consider these expert tips.

Conduct Seasonal Sprinkler Checks

Typically, sprinkler maintenance should occur once in the fall and again in the spring. A sprinkler winterization process protects the equipment from ice damage. We recommend a minimum of twice-per-year inspections and tune-ups.

The basic steps in winterizing sprinklers might include:

Turn off the main water supply
Drain all pipes
Ensure any exposed above-ground valves or piping are fully insulated and protected

Once spring comes around, you’ll then gradually turn on the water supply to avoid problematic pressure surges. As you do, look for leaks and sprinkler heads that aren’t working.

Clean Sprinkler Heads Correctly

Sprinkler head cleaning forms part of essential maintenance. Sometimes, dirt and residue can clog sprinklers and cause problems like misdirected or inadequate water streams.

Grass runners can grow over the sprinkler heads blocking them from popping up or shrub heads can become covered or blocked by plant growth or mulch.

Irrigation experts can quickly clean your sprinkler heads because they know what to look for. The beauty of having professionals do it is that they can also replace the faulty heads immediately to keep your irrigation working smoothly.

Inspect Sprinkler Valves

Valve adjustment is sometimes necessary to ensure the irrigation system’s performance. Depending on your system, you might find valves in the areas near the heads or around the property water meter, backflow preventer, or emergency shut-off location. Valves can be located above or underground. Once you locate the sprinklers’ valves, look for water seeping from around the components. This is a warning sign that your irrigation system is wasting water and needs repairs.

Locate and Repair Leaks

Has your lawn sprinkler system sprung a leak? Turn off the equipment at the controller.

For pipe leaks, experts will do the following:

Remove the damaged portion of the line using pipe cutters or a saw.
Install couplings or repair fittings on the ends of the pipe.
Insert a replacement section of pipe or repair coupling.
Backfill and clean up the work area.

Then, they’ll test the system to see that the sprinkler service has done its job.

Get Professional Help With Lawn Sprinkler Upkeep From Our Seasoned Irrigation Crew

Don’t worry if you don’t know how to service sprinkler systems. Our professionals at American Irrigation Repair do it all, from sprinkler head adjustments to winterization and repairs. After nearly 30 years of service, we’re one of the top, multi-award-winning irrigation companies serving Leander, Texas.

See why American Irrigation Repair has more than 2,000 positive customer reviews—call (512) 943-6080 to request our services!

A Leaking Sprinkler Valve You Can’t Count On

Written by Justin Wilson on September 24, 2024. Posted in Sprinkler Maintenance. No Comments on A Leaking Sprinkler Valve You Can’t Count On

If there is one thing in a sprinkler system that you want to be able to count on, it’s the lawn sprinkler valves. When the Texas heat is blistering, and the lawn is struggling you need to be able to count on them to turn on and supply water to the sprinklers. Put the control valves need to fire when you ask them to reliably and every time.

Toro Flo-pro, a Leaking Sprinkler Valve You Can’t Count On

Toro’s flo-pro valves were popular in the 90’s especially around the Austin area. When American Irrigation started servicing irrigation systems we’d see these valves many times per week around the Austin, Round Rock, and Georgetown service areas. They were common and during that time some contractors seemed to prefer them.

Why Should the Toro Flo-pro Sprinkler Valve Be Replaced?

There were a handful of issues with these particular valves. I suspect they were trying to release something new and improved with the jar-type style valve being promoted as a quicker tool-free way to enhance the serviceability of control valves. Honestly, jar top valves just aren’t necessary if you build a high-quality valve that doesn’t need to be serviced often.

A Poor Valve Solenoid Design

In continuation of the idea of easier servicing / easier on contractors, Toro used a proprietary solenoid on the valve that was sold as quicker to install and didn’t need wire splices to connect the wires. The solenoid was like the push-to-insert light switches where they have a copper spring-type conductor that is supposed to hold the wire and contact it. Contact with the wire was iffy at best, and removing the wire from the solenoid would easily damage it or make it difficult to reconnect.

Later versions of the control valve were manufactured with an improved solenoid more like those sold today, however, the other issues with the valve remained.

Prone to Leaks

It was not uncommon to see the jar top threads work their way loose over the cycles. American Irrigation Repair responded to calls finding a dead dying lawn with green dots where the flo pro valves were located. The top of the bonnet would loosen over time causing the control valve to leak. Often the leak would start small – roots would search out the water and you would end up with a control valve in the middle of a big wad of muddy root ball.

The Valve Diaphragms Were Notorious For failing.

The diaphragms would fail resulting in a no-open condition. The marker for a failed diaphragm was that you could open the control valve from the controller and the solenoid would trigger but the valve would not open. Most of the time the valve would hiss, you could hear it was trying to open. This was caused by the bleed opening on the diaphragm becoming oversized which prevented the solenoid from being able to bleed enough water from the top of the diaphragm to open the valve.

Photo of Flo-pro with the push to insert solenoid:

Picture of the diaphragm:

Grouping of the valves with the later improved solenoid:

Helpful article: How To Tell If a Sprinkler Valve Solenoid Is Bad

Hunter and Rain-Bird Control Valves Have Raised the Bar

If you have toro flo-pro valves in your system, I wouldn’t necessarily replace them if they are working correctly. Once they act up or if you see any signs of leakage you should consider replacing them with a Rain Bird DV valve, or Hunter PGV control valves which have proven to be solid reliable performers.

If you need help, give us a holler at American Irrigation Repair at 512-943-6080. We can do a full tune-up and 20-point analysis of your system and present you with any recommendations we find.

Because of the age of these valves, I did not have recent photos so I grabbed a couple of photos from other sources so I want to give them credit and shout out below!

Sources:

https://www.lawnsite.com/threads/help-identifying-this-toro-valve-pic-attached.327979/

https://www.doityourself.com/forum/lawns-landscaping-outdoor-decor/605220-toro-flo-pro-valve-diagram.html