Guide · Home care
Sprinklers and Irrigation
A friendly, practical guide to sprinkler systems, from spotting leaks and watering wisely to winter draining and knowing who handles what.
Where to start
- A sprinkler is gushing right now?
Turn the system off at the controller. See if a sprinkler is leaking or broken.
- Water bill jumped?
Run each zone for a minute or two and walk the yard while it runs, if the owner allows.
- Just moved in?
Ask where the controller and shutoff are, then tick through the sprinkler checklist.
The short version
A sprinkler system keeps a yard green, and it can quietly waste a lot of water when something breaks.
Run each zone now and then and look for broken heads, leaks and spray hitting pavement.
Water early in the morning, adjust for the season and pause for rain. In cold places, drain the system before a freeze.
If a sprinkler is leaking, turn it off at the controller and share it in writing with a photo right away.
Watering rules differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Watch it run
Turn on each zone now and then and look for broken heads, leaks and spray hitting pavement.
- 2Water wisely
Water early in the morning, and adjust for the season and the rain.
- 3Protect it from freezing
In cold places, systems need to be drained or winterized before the first hard freeze.
- 4Share problems quickly
Report soggy spots, geysers, high water bills or a timer that seems off, in writing.
Sprinkler checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Your yard stays happy and your water bill stays calm.
If a sprinkler is leaking or broken
- Take a breath. Broken sprinklers are common and easy to stop.
- Turn the system off at the controller, or pause the zone that is broken.
- If water keeps flowing, turn off the irrigation shutoff valve if you know where it is and it is safe to reach. A line that won’t stop gushing should be handled right away.
- Keep people away from slippery or muddy areas, and keep water away from outdoor outlets and electrical equipment.
- Take photos or a short video of the problem.
- Share it in writing right away.
You did exactly the right thing.
Please be careful with these
- Please don’t dig, plant or drive stakes into the yard without asking. Sprinkler lines may be just below the surface.
- Please don’t try to repair valves, backflow devices or pipes yourself.
- Please don’t water during the heat of the day or while it is raining.
- Please don’t park or set heavy objects over sprinkler heads.
Try this: set an empty tuna can on the lawn while a zone runs. Timing how long it takes to fill shows how much water that zone really delivers.
For owners: before the season starts
- Turn the system on slowly at the start of the season, and check each zone for leaks.
- Replace broken heads, and adjust spray so water lands on plants, not pavement.
- Set the controller for the season, and consider a WaterSense labeled smart controller, which adjusts watering for the weather and can often save water.
- Have the backflow device tested if your water provider requires it.
- Explain to residents in writing where the controller and shutoff are, and who handles what.
- In cold places, plan winterizing before the first freeze with a qualified professional.
Guides that go well with this one
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Go deeper with The Perfect Yard
The outside of a home is where the question “whose job is this?” comes up most often. The Perfect Yard is a calm, plain guide for owners and residents who share the care of a yard, deck and outdoor spaces, one part of the yard at a time.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFTake it with you
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More guides
This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal or irrigation repair advice. Please follow local watering rules and call a qualified professional for repairs. Bunklow does not inspect or repair sprinkler systems.