How Often Should You Service Your Sprinkler System?
- Briana Johnson
- Aug 18
- 4 min read
One of the most common questions homeowners and property managers in Sonoma and Napa counties ask is how often they should schedule sprinkler system maintenance. It’s an important consideration, because regular upkeep is one of the most effective ways to prevent wasted water, rising utility bills, and costly landscape repairs.
A well-maintained irrigation system keeps your property looking its best. It ensures efficient water use, a key factor in California, where local water regulations and the Model Water
Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) shape how landscapes are managed.
This guide will explain recommended maintenance schedules, what typically happens during a service appointment, and why ongoing irrigation maintenance is an investment that pays off in water savings and healthier landscapes.
Table of Contents
Why Sprinkler System Maintenance Matters
Your irrigation system is more than just a convenience. It’s the lifeline of your landscape. A home sprinkler system maintenance plan helps ensure that your plants receive the right amount of water at the right time, which keeps your lawn green, your trees healthy, and your garden vibrant. Regular sprinkler maintenance also means:
Saving water: A properly calibrated system reduces waste. Even small leaks or misaligned heads can send thousands of gallons down the drain each year.
Lower utility bills: Irrigation efficiency means you’re not paying for water you don’t actually use.
Protecting plant health: Overwatering can be just as damaging as underwatering. A tuned system delivers the right balance.
Preventing expensive repairs: By catching small issues early, you avoid the higher costs of system failure.
On the other hand, neglecting the maintenance of sprinkler system parts can lead to leaks, dry patches, overwatered areas, or total breakdowns. Over time, this can mean repairing damaged lawns, replacing plants, and paying for major system overhauls that could have been avoided with simple tune-ups.
How Often Should You Schedule a Sprinkler Tune-Up?
The right sprinkler system service schedule depends on your property type, what kinds of plants are incorporated into your landscaping, and how heavily the system is used. For most homeowners and businesses in our area, the following routine works best:
Seasonal Tune-Ups
A sprinkler system tune-up is usually recommended at least twice a year, though many clients schedule three annual visits. Here’s what that looks like:
Spring Adjustment: As the growing season begins, sprinkler heads and controllers are checked and adjusted to match new growth and weather conditions.
Mid-Summer Check: During the hottest months, water output and coverage are fine-tuned to keep plants healthy while reducing waste.
Fall Review: Before the rainy season, the system is inspected to prevent overwatering and adjusted for shorter days and cooler weather.
Monthly Walkthroughs
Monthly walkthroughs are a smart investment if you manage a larger property such as a vineyard, HOA, or business park. These quick inspections allow us to catch issues like leaks, clogged nozzles, or misaligned heads before they affect your water bill or landscape. Regular sprinkler system servicing also aligns your irrigation system with water-use goals and local requirements.
After Construction or Landscape Changes
Anytime you add new plantings, install hardscaping, or change the soil grade, it’s a good idea to call for sprinkler service. Even small changes can affect how water moves through your property. A post-construction sprinkler system tune-up ensures that water is being distributed properly and efficiently.
What Happens During a Sprinkler System Service Appointment?
When you schedule a sprinkler system servicing appointment with Gardenworks Inc., our technicians walk through a detailed checklist to ensure your system runs at peak performance.
A typical sprinkler service visit includes:
Testing each zone: We check distribution uniformity, water pressure, and timing.
Adjusting heads and nozzles: Ensures water is directed to plants, not sidewalks or driveways.
Inspecting for leaks: Hidden leaks can waste water and damage your property if not addressed quickly.
Programming controllers: We fine-tune schedules for efficiency and compliance with MWELO standards.
Recommending upgrades: When we see opportunities for water savings or improved performance, we’ll make suggestions tailored to your property.
This proactive sprinkler system maintenance prevents expensive surprises. Instead of dealing with emergency breakdowns, you’ll enjoy a system that quietly does its job day after day.
Why Choose Gardenworks Inc. for Sprinkler Maintenance?
Not all irrigation providers offer the same level of service. At Gardenworks Inc., we bring decades of experience and a dependable team to every project. Our expertise is built on years of serving Sonoma and northern Napa counties' unique needs, where everything from vineyard irrigation to estate landscaping requires careful water management.
Here’s what sets our sprinkler system service apart:
Tailored solutions: Whether it’s a small residential property or a large commercial landscape, we provide irrigation maintenance plans that fit your needs.
Responsive scheduling: We know timely sprinkler system tune-up appointments are key to preventing water waste and protecting your investment.
Professional reporting: Property managers and business owners appreciate our clear documentation of every sprinkler system servicing visit.
Commitment to efficiency: We’re not just fixing sprinklers, we’re helping you save water and reduce costs while keeping your property beautiful.
From home sprinkler system maintenance to complex commercial irrigation systems, our team is ready to provide reliable sprinkler system servicing that extends the life of your investment.
If you’re wondering whether it’s time to schedule your next sprinkler maintenance, the answer is likely yes. Regular irrigation maintenance pays for itself in water savings, healthier landscapes, and fewer unexpected repair bills.
Contact Gardenworks Inc. today at (707) 857-2050 for a customized maintenance plan estimate. Our team will help you keep your irrigation system running smoothly season after season.
