How to maintain your smart irrigation system in San Antonio

A smart controller is very good at deciding when to water. It is not able to see a broken head, a blocked nozzle or a valve that has stopped closing, which is why a smart system still needs a seasonal walk-round.

The controller only knows what it is told. If a zone has lost a head or a nozzle has clogged, it will keep running that zone for the full programmed time and report that everything went to plan. The yard tells you the truth long before the app does.

Start it properly in late February

Late February is a good time to turn your sprinklers on and check them for possible breaks, clogged sprinklers, and any other issues. Your system will then be ready for spring start-up in mid-March. Run each zone manually and watch it. You are looking for heads that do not pop up, arcs that have drifted onto the driveway, and misting, which usually means pressure is too high.

Water in cycles, not one long run

We recommend watering in multiple sessions. Instead of watering your yard for 15 minutes straight, break it up into three to five minute sessions, with a one to two hour soak time in between. This will promote fewer run-offs and will encourage deeper root growth.

We also recommend not watering daily, allowing roots to breathe. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and one day at the weekend works well. Water your grass in the early evening from 6pm to 9pm, or the early morning hours from 4am to 7am. Note that this does not apply to new landscaping, annuals and new plantings, which need their own schedule until established.

Check the sensors are still doing their job

Rain and freeze sensors are the part of a smart system most likely to be quietly out of action. Confirm the sensor is still mounted where rain actually reaches it, and that the controller is still set to obey it.

Shut it down around Thanksgiving

Usually around Thanksgiving we start getting our seasonal rains. This is the best time to turn off your system so as not to overwater your yard. If it is a dry winter, you will need to reduce the watering time and days accordingly. Rule of thumb is that during the winter season, two days a week is more than plenty.