Answering Your Questions About Irrigation Maintenance

Water, soil, and sun. You need all three to grow just about anything. 

When it comes to landscaping, how you deal with watering is what sets apart a DIY job from the professionals. A reliable, well installed irrigation system should deliver the right amount of water, at the right time, and through the right method for your landscape to thrive. And that’s especially so in our California climate. 

For homeowners and property managers, irrigation maintenance in Sonoma County is one of the most important parts of protecting landscape health, preventing water waste, and avoiding costly repairs. At Inspired Landscapes, irrigation is approached with both horticultural expertise and water-management precision, supported by certifications in sustainability, water management, and landscape care.  

Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear about irrigation maintenance. 

 

Key Takeaways 

• Routine irrigation maintenance helps prevent water waste and costly repairs.  

• Common issues include controller resets, leaks, clogged emitters, and broken sprinkler heads.  

• Water pressure problems can reduce coverage and system efficiency.  

• Seasonal schedule updates are essential for plant health and water conservation.  

• Professional inspections can catch hidden problems before they get worse.  

 

Why should I get irrigation maintenance? 

Irrigation systems are not “set it and forget it”-type systems. Even the best designed system will need routine inspection and adjustment for to stay productive over time. A clogged emitter or broken spray head can end up wasting water, creating dry spots, or oversaturating your plants if it’s not found and fixed up. 

Regular maintenance for your landscapes irrigation system helps with: 

• Water conservation  

• Healthier lawns, shrubs, trees, and edible gardens  

• Lower water bills  

• Early leak detection  

• Better seasonal performance  

• Longer lifespan for irrigation components  

 

What should I do if my irrigation controller resets? 

A controller reset is one of the most common irrigation issues. It can happen after a power outage (unfortunately common around Sonoma County), electrical interruption, because of a dead backup battery, or accidental programming change. When that happens, the controller may revert to a default schedule or stop running entirely. 

Signs your controller may have reset:

• The date and time are incorrect  

• Watering starts at unusual hours  

• Zones are not running as expected  

• The display is flashing or blank  

• Previously programmed seasonal adjustments are gone  

What to check first:

1. Confirm the date and current time  

1. Review start times for each program  

1. Check run times for every zone  

1. Make sure the correct watering days are selected  

1. Inspect any seasonal adjustment or weather-based settings  

1. Replace the backup battery if applicable  

Smart, weather-based controllers can be especially helpful because they adjust irrigation according to local weather data and can often be monitored remotely.  

 

How can I tell if my irrigation system has a leak? 

Leak detection is extremely important. Even a small underground leak can waste a significant amount of water in a fairly short amount of time.  

Common signs of an irrigation leak:

• Unusually high water bills  

• Soggy or muddy areas in the landscape  

• Pooled water around valves or heads  

• Sudden drop in water pressure  

• Plants that look overwatered in one area  

• Hissing sounds from pipes or valves  

• Water meter movement when irrigation should be off  

A professional irrigation audit can identify these issues more efficiently, especially when paired with flow monitoring and detailed zone-by-zone evaluation.  

 

Why are water pressure checks necessary? 

Pressure problems can affect the entire system. High pressure can end up shooting water out as a fine mist, wasting water to the wind and evaporation. If pressure is too low, heads may not pop up fully, drip systems may underperform, and coverage becomes uneven. 

Symptoms of poor irrigation pressure: 

• Misty spray instead of defined arcs  

• Dry patches between sprinklers  

• Weak or sputtering drip output  

• Heads that fail to rise fully  

• Uneven watering across the same zone  

Pressure checks help determine whether the issue is caused by: 

• A leak in the line  

• A failing valve  

• A clogged filter  

• Pressure-regulation problems  

• Too many heads on one zone  

• Changes to the system over time  

 

What causes clogged emitters in drip irrigation? 

Drip irrigation is a great tool, especially for sustainable landscaping practices. Unfortunately, they’re also susceptible to clogs. Clogged emitters are a common maintenance issue. Over time, debris, mineral buildup, sediment, or algae can restrict water flow. 

Signs of clogged emitters:

• One plant is dry while nearby plants look fine  

• Sections of tubing appear active, but some emitters do not drip  

• Plants show stress despite the system running  

• Water distribution is inconsistent across the bed  

Typical causes of clogged emitters:

• Dirty filters  

• Sediment in the water supply  

• Mineral deposits  

• Damaged or aging components  

• Infrequent system inspection  

 

What happens when a sprinkler head is broken? 

Sprinkler heads can be damaged by foot traffic, lawn equipment, settling soil, root growth, or simple wear and tear. When a head cracks, tilts, sticks, or fails to rotate, coverage is compromised immediately. 

Common signs of a broken sprinkler head:

• Geyser-like spray  

• Water shooting in the wrong direction  

• Head not popping up  

• Water pooling around one sprinkler  

• Dead spots or overly wet patches nearby  

One damaged component can throw off the performance of the entire zone, causing nearby plants or turf to receive too much or too little water. 

 

How often should irrigation schedules change with the seasons? 

Seasonal schedule changes are essential. Irrigation demand is very different in spring, summer, fall, and winter. A schedule that works in July will almost certainly overwater in November and may underwater in a heat event if not adjusted in time. 

Seasonal irrigation adjustments usually include:

• Longer, deeper watering in hot summer conditions  

• Reduced frequency during cooler months  

• Shutoff or major reductions during rain events  

• Changes based on plant maturity and root depth  

• Zone-specific updates for sun, shade, slopes, and soil type  

This is where truly local expertise matters. Effective irrigation maintenance in Sonoma County should account for the unique climate patterns, plant needs, and site conditions. In some circumstances, monthly adjustments are the best way to keep systems aligned with current weather and landscape performance rather than relying on outdated programming.  

 

When should I call a professional? 

You should consider professional help if: 

• Your controller keeps losing its programming  

• You suspect a hidden leak  

• Water pressure seems inconsistent  

• Dry spots or oversaturated areas continue  

• Drip zones are not distributing water evenly  

• Multiple heads are damaged or misaligned  

• Your schedule has not been updated seasonally  

An experienced irrigation specialist can review the full system, identify the source of recurring issues, and create a more efficient schedule tailored to your landscape. 

 

FAQ 

How often should an irrigation system be checked? 

At minimum, irrigation systems should be reviewed seasonally. Many properties benefit from more frequent inspections, especially during peak summer watering months. 

What is the most common irrigation problem? 

Controller resets, leaks, clogged drip emitters, and damaged sprinkler heads are among the most common issues homeowners and property managers face. 

Can a small irrigation leak really waste that much water? 

Yes. Even a small leak can waste a surprising amount of water over time and may lead to soggy areas, plant stress, and higher utility bills. 

Why does my sprinkler system suddenly water at the wrong time? 

This often happens when the controller resets after a power outage, programming is lost, or the date and time settings change. 

 

Keeping Your Garden Green – Inspired Landscapes 

If you’re property needs dependable irrigation maintenance in Sonoma County, we’ve got you covered.  

Inspired Landscapes brings that perspective through its award-winning local experience, irrigation expertise, and certified water-management approach. 

📞 Call: (707) 395-7474 

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