Owning an automated sprinkler system is a great way to keep your landscape green, healthy, and attractive while doing so conveniently and efficiently for homes and businesses. This benefit is only assured when the system is receiving consistent professional care from a professional irrigation specialist. If regular sprinkler system maintenance services are not done, the long-term performance of a sprinkler system is going to suffer, leading to damage to the landscape, wasted water, and added financial costs. The most common issues that occur when a sprinkler system is not maintained on a regular basis are explained below. Rising Water Costs and Environmental Concerns A common first sign you are not maintaining your irrigation system is a significant increase in your water consumption. This not only means you will pay more in water bills, but you are also putting extra strain on your local water supply as well. It is often easy to downplay a few smaller problems, but most maintenance problems, when left alone, will compound and can become big issues over time for homes and businesses. Experienced irrigation specialists regularly see these early warning signs before they become expensive surprises. Leaks in underground pipes, fittings, or valves can go completely unnoticed if they are not caught during routine visits from irrigation specialists, and they can result in extreme amounts of wasted water. A small leak that is just the size of a pencil tip can result in hundreds or even thousands of gallons of wasted water over the course of just one watering season. Damaged or misaligned sprinkler heads that are spraying onto sidewalks, driveways, and patios are not doing anything to improve the look of the landscape, but are still utilizing a tremendous amount of water. A controller that is not properly set or a rain sensor that is malfunctioning may cause the system to run during or after a rainstorm and also result in significant water waste. Professional maintenance not only catches small leaks early, but also makes sure that all components are working and calibrated so water is only being used where it is needed. Lawn, Plant, and Property Damage The overall appearance of your landscape and how well the plants and grass are growing is directly related to the performance of your irrigation system. If the system is not maintained and running properly, over time you will see stressed grass, dying plants, and potential long-term damage to your property in residential settings and on commercial properties. Under-Watering and Plant Stress In order for your landscape to look its best, your sprinkler system needs to be operating properly to deliver the right amount of water where it is needed. As time goes by, sediment and minerals from the water source can build up inside the system, leading to clogged filters, heads, and nozzles. This clogging slows down water flow and also disrupts the spray patterns that the sprinklers are designed to create. Sprinkler heads can also become damaged and bent out of position from lawn mowers or people walking on them, which results in the lawn not being covered properly. All of these issues can leave brown and dry patches across the yard. When grass, shrubs, and trees are not getting enough water, they become stressed and more susceptible to disease, pests, or even dying. Over-Watering and Disease Too much water can also be a problem if the irrigation system is not running correctly and can lead to water-logged soil in certain areas of the lawn and landscape. This is more than just an inconvenience, as too much moisture can suffocate plant root systems and become an open invitation for fungal diseases and root rot. If the lawn is left too wet for long periods of time, conditions can quickly spiral into problems that are difficult and expensive to remedy. Erosion and Structural Risks Leaks and broken sprinkler heads that are not discovered can result in large volumes of water being released in areas where water is not needed. This issue can wash away topsoil and create problems with soil erosion and misshapen landscapes. If the leak is located near a home’s foundation, then all of that excess water can saturate the ground and, over time, begin to cause cracks in the foundation and other potential structural damage that can threaten homes . A professional irrigation specialist can identify pressure issues and hidden leaks before that kind of damage develops. Shortened System Lifespan and Costly Repairs Neglecting regular sprinkler system maintenance services may turn a quick and inexpensive repair into a major and costly problem for businesses and property owners alike. Sprinkler systems are made up of numerous mechanical and electrical components, so neglecting one area could lead to other major issues with performance. A common example is a valve with a worn seal that needs to be replaced. This is a minor repair that would take only a few minutes during a maintenance visit. However, if the issue is allowed to persist, the entire valve may fail, and what should have been a cheap and easy repair may require replacing an entire component. The same is true with high water pressure that is not corrected. High pressure creates excess wear on pipes, fittings, nozzles, and solenoids and will ultimately lead to a shorter lifespan and breakdowns far before they should occur. Emergency repairs, such as digging up a section of lawn to repair a ruptured mainline pipe, will often cost much more than routine preventative care. Inefficient Operation and Inconsistent Results Without maintenance, your sprinkler system simply will not operate like it is supposed to, and this will be compounded over time. The performance of the system will start to degrade and not provide the results you want. Small issues, such as clogs and misalignments, cause uneven spray coming from the sprinkler heads and leave the lawn looking brown and patchy. Experienced irrigation specialists evaluate these symptoms early to protect residential lawns and commercial landscapes. In addition, keep in mind that watering needs change as the seasons change. If the system is not adjusted over time, the controller may be watering too much during cooler and rainy seasons, but not enough during hot summer months. Part of sprinkler system maintenance services ensures the programming matches the actual watering needs of the landscape so you can expect great results without wasting water. A professional irrigation specialist can also confirm that sensors and schedules align with real conditions for homes and businesses. Protect Your Investment with Proactive Maintenance Skipping over regular maintenance is setting yourself up for higher water bills, poor-looking landscapes, inefficient performance, and costly repairs. It is far better to take care of the system ahead of time to protect your investment, save money, and make sure it is running as efficiently as possible for as long as possible. You should never wait until something major goes wrong with your irrigation system before you give it the care and attention it needs. To avoid the issues listed above and make sure that your irrigation system is always performing to the highest standards, contact Georgetown Irrigation Specialists to schedule a comprehensive maintenance service. They provide sprinkler system maintenance services tailored to homes and businesses, and their irrigation specialists support both residential and commercial properties with practical, proactive care. When you want consistent results and fewer costly surprises, Georgetown Irrigation Specialists is ready to help.

Click here to learn the Most Common Reasons Why Your Sprinkler System Is Acting Up in the Georgetown, Sun City Texas area.