How to Maintain Your Landscape Irrigation SystemHow to Maintain Your Landscape Irrigation SystemHow to Maintain Your Landscape Irrigation SystemHow to Maintain Your Landscape Irrigation SystemHow to Maintain Your Landscape Irrigation SystemHow to Maintain Your Landscape Irrigation SystemHow to Maintain Your Landscape Irrigation SystemHow to Maintain Your Landscape Irrigation SystemHow to Maintain Your Landscape Irrigation SystemHow to Maintain Your Landscape Irrigation System

How to Maintain Your Landscape Irrigation System — Grand Rapids, Michigan

Complete checklist with climate-adjusted recommendations for Grand Rapids, Michigan

Overview

Adjust sprinkler heads, check for leaks, ensure proper coverage. Water deeply but infrequently.

DIY FriendlyModerate~90 min

Step-by-Step Guide

Run each zone manually and observe

Go to your irrigation controller and manually run each zone for two to three minutes while you walk the yard. Watch for broken heads, misdirected spray, dry spots, and areas getting double coverage.

Inspect and adjust sprinkler heads

Straighten any heads that have been knocked off angle by mowers or foot traffic. Use the adjustment screw on top of rotor heads to change the arc. Replace any heads that are cracked, not popping up fully, or stuck.

Check for leaks at each head and along supply lines

Look for pooling water, soggy spots, or unusually green patches in the lawn — these indicate underground leaks. Check the connection fittings at each sprinkler head for weeping water.

Clean or replace clogged nozzles

Unscrew the nozzle from the sprinkler body and rinse it under water. Use a thin wire or needle to clear any debris from the orifice. If the nozzle is worn and the spray pattern is distorted, replace it.

Check the backflow preventer

Locate the backflow preventer (usually near the main water connection). Verify there are no leaks at the test ports or around the body. Make sure the shutoff valves are fully open.

Adjust the watering schedule

Program your controller for deep, infrequent watering — two to three times per week rather than daily. Run each zone long enough to deliver about one inch of water per week total. Early morning (before 10 AM) is the best time to minimize evaporation.

Test coverage with the catch-cup method

Place five to six empty tuna cans or cups evenly across each zone. Run the zone for 15 minutes and measure the water in each cup. Adjust head positions and run times until coverage is even (within 25% variation).

Inspect the controller and rain sensor

Check the controller battery backup (usually a 9V battery). Verify the rain sensor is working by manually pressing the disc — it should suspend watering. Replace the sensor if it is corroded or unresponsive.

What You'll Need

Tools

- Flat-head screwdriver (for adjusting rotor arcs)
- Small needle-nose pliers
- Sprinkler head adjustment tool (often included with the head)
- Measuring cups or empty tuna cans (for catch-cup test)

Materials

- Replacement sprinkler heads (matching brand/type)
- Replacement nozzles
- Teflon tape (for threaded connections)
- PVC primer and cement (for pipe repairs if needed)
- 9V battery (for controller backup)

Cost Estimates

DIY Cost

$10 - $50 for replacement heads, nozzles, and tape

Professional Cost

$75 - $200 for professional inspection and adjustment; $200 - $500+ for leak repair

Safety Tips

Mark sprinkler head locations with flags before mowing to avoid running them over.
Turn off the water supply before replacing heads or fittings to avoid flooding.
Backflow preventer testing is required annually in many jurisdictions — check your local requirements.

When to Call a Professional

Call a licensed irrigator if you have underground leaks you cannot locate, need to add or relocate zones, or if your backflow preventer fails its annual test.

Pro Tip

Install a smart irrigation controller (Wi-Fi enabled with weather-based scheduling). These devices automatically adjust watering based on local weather data and can reduce water usage by 30-50% compared to a fixed timer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Watering every day for short periods instead of deeply two to three times per week — shallow watering promotes shallow roots.
Running sprinklers at midday when evaporation is highest — water in the early morning.
Ignoring a single broken head — one geyser can waste hundreds of gallons per cycle.
Mowing over sprinkler heads because they are not marked or the mower deck is set too low.