Irrigation system inspections sounds as exciting as watching grass grow, but don't skip it
Schedule a yard sprinkler system inspection once or twice a year for optimum performance.
Inspections look for damage, water waste, and poor irrigation practices.
Plumbers, irrigation specialists, home inspectors, or landscapers perform inspections.
Inspections cost an average of $115 or come free within a larger repair contract.
We entrust our irrigation systems with keeping our flowers blooming and grass growing strong, but every system runs into issues. How much does an irrigation inspection cost to ensure the system is in long-lasting shape?
People put a lot of pressure on sprinkler systems throughout the year. Ice and snow in the winter, lawnmowers running over sprinkler heads in the summer, and of course, consistent use during the warmer months. An annual yard sprinkler system inspection can save you money, protect your lawn from water damage, and keep your lawn happy and healthy.
Some companies also offer sprinkler inspections for free as part of an ongoing sprinkler repair and maintenance contract. If not, the average cost of sprinkler inspection ranges between $50 and $100 an hour. If you're hiring a plumber for sprinkler inspections and small fixes, they may simply charge an hourly rate.
The cost of an irrigation system tune-up costs about $115, typically including related services like turning it on at the start of the season. Winterizing your sprinklers—which may include a general inspection—will cost between $50 and $120, depending on the size of your system.
An irrigation system inspection ensures that everything from your backflow preventer to the sprinkler head is performing its best. During the inspection, your sprinkler expert can check each mechanism for signs of trouble without performing any excavation. They may look for:
Damaged, clogged, or sputtering sprinkler heads
Damage to your shutoff and main valves, vacuum breaker, and bleeder caps
Inconsistent water coverage or low water pressure
Leaking lines, sprinkler heads, or pipes
Pooling water or dry spots on your lawn
Control panel issues or issues with specific zones
Backflow preventer issues
Just like indoor plumbing or caring for a major appliance, catching common sprinkler issues early can save you money and prevent many major headaches. Include regular yard sprinkler system inspections as part of your overall lawn care costs. Irrigation system inspections can:
Ensure you are not wasting water through leaks or poor programming
Check whether the system is properly watering each area of your landscape
Assist with the startup and winterization process
Provide vital information for your home inspection when selling your house
Catch small mechanical issues before they lead to larger problems
Irrigation companies recommend scheduling an inspection at least once a year. Some homeowners will call in professionals twice a year—usually at the beginning and end of the growing season—for extra peace of mind. Add a regular inspection to your spring home maintenance checklist, so it’s never forgotten. Here are the top reasons to schedule the service:
Prepping your sprinkler system for the winter, waking it back up in the spring, and doing other irrigation maintenance tasks during the season can all be DIY jobs, but it's easy to cause major damage if you perform certain tasks incorrectly. Many plumbers and sprinkler contractors offer start-up or shut-down services with their inspection packages and tips for more effective use.
Your sprinkler system is an excellent set-it-and-forget-it feature of your home, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't keep a close eye on things throughout the season. Schedule an inspection if you detect water pooling on your lawn, patches of yellow or brown grass, or unexpectedly high water bills. More potential problems to look out for include:
Your controller is malfunctioning.
One (or more) of your sprinkler heads isn’t coming up or rotating.
The water pressure is too high or too low.
You see physical damage on your sprinkler heads.
You notice strange spray patterns.
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) encourages inspectors to check home irrigation systems during standard inspections. This added feature to a home inspection report can ensure that your system properly covers the extent of your landscape, protects against water waste, and meets modern environmental standards.
Your town, county, or state may require a professional to sign off on the quality of your backflow preventer either once a year or just after you install the system. A backflow preventer keeps contaminated water—in this case from fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides—from infiltrating local potable water systems.
Several types of professionals offer irrigation system inspections. Local irrigation companies and specialists are the most obvious picks for the job. Still, you can often hire a local plumber, a landscaper near you, or a local home inspection company to perform the check as well.
In many cases, a plumber can look for issues with the system's overall function, assist with plumbing-related repairs, and relay you to a landscaper or irrigation specialist if you require major alterations. Hiring a home inspector can give you an overall sense of the condition of the home.
Not only is it possible to perform very basic irrigation system inspections yourself, but we recommend it to keep an eye out for potential issues. Each time you turn on your system in the spring or turn it off for the winter, check your lawn and garden for proper irrigation. Take note of:
Poorly performing sprinkler heads
Water pooling on your lawn from potential underground leaks
Patches of over or under-watered grass
High water bills
Loose or leaking valves and pipes
However, call a professional familiar with your irrigation system once a year to ensure you are not missing signs of early damage, water waste, or potential backflow issues. Between visits, you can inspect your system just like the professionals would and make notes for your contractors when they perform the inspection.
Allowing an irrigation system to run for years without inspection—especially in warm states where they don't get a break—can be a recipe for trouble. Save a place on your calendar each year to schedule an inspection for peace of mind, optimal water usage, and of course, a beautiful landscape.
