Residential Sprinkler and Irrigation System Inspections

Included in our inspections we will inspect your outdoor watering system to ensure your property’s irrigation system is working properly. We’ll assess all components, from sprinkler heads and valves to controllers and backflow preventers. A well-maintained sprinkler system not only saves you money on your water bill, but also helps keep your yard looking great.

Our inspection goes beyond simply checking for leaks or damage. Our goal is to optimize your system’s efficiency, helping to conserve water and prevent overwatering or underwatering. It’s all part of our full residential inspection package that checks every aspect of your property, from the interior of the home back to the fence lines.

Irrigation Systems Include Many Components

Sprinkler systems seem simple, but there are a lot of parts that all need to be working correctly for your system to work the way it needs to. Here’s a breakdown of the components in a standard residential irrigation system:

Water Source

• Public Water Supply: Most residential systems connect directly to the municipal water supply. A meter measures water usage for billing purposes.
• Private Well: If you have a private well, a well pump will be needed to draw water for irrigation.

Water Delivery System

• Mainline: The main line is the primary pipe that carries water from the source (public supply or well) to the various zones of your lawn. This pipe is typically made of durable materials like PVC and buried underground.
• Valves: Shutoff valves are installed at key points in the mainline and branch lines for isolating specific zones for maintenance or repairs. These valves allow you to control water flow to different areas of your lawn independently.
• Branch Lines: Smaller diameter pipes that branch off from the mainline and carry water to individual sprinkler heads.

Sprinkler Heads

• Spray Heads: These pop-up sprinklers provide even water distribution in a circular pattern, ideal for covering open lawn areas.
• Rotor Heads: These sprinklers rotate, providing water coverage in a specific arc or rectangular pattern, making them suitable for irregularly shaped areas or corners.
• Drip Irrigation: Low-flow drip systems deliver water directly to the base of plants, ideal for gardens, flower beds, and foundation plantings. This system conserves water by minimizing evaporation.

Control System

• Irrigation Controller: This is the “brain” of the system, a programmable timer that controls watering schedules for each zone. You can set specific watering days, times, and durations based on your lawn’s needs and local weather conditions.
• Rain Sensor: This sensor automatically suspends watering during rainfall, preventing overwatering and saving water.

Additional Components

• Backflow Preventer: This crucial component prevents contaminated water from flowing back into the clean water supply. It’s a mandatory safety feature to safeguard your drinking water.
• Pressure Regulator (optional): This device regulates water pressure to ensure optimal performance of the sprinkler heads and prevent damage from high pressure.
• Shutoff Valve at the Faucet: This valve allows you to easily isolate the entire irrigation system from the water source for maintenance or repairs.

Typical Issues with Sprinkler Systems

Here are some common issues we uncover during our sprinkler inspections:

• Clogged or Broken Sprinkler Heads: Dirt, debris, or physical damage can prevent sprinkler heads from functioning properly, leading to uneven watering and potential brown patches in your lawn.
• Leaky Pipes or Valves: Hidden leaks underground can waste vast amounts of water and increase your water bill significantly.
• Improper System Design: A system not designed for your specific lawn size, shape, or sun exposure can lead to overwatering or underwatering in different areas.
• Malfunctioning Controller: The brain of your irrigation system, a faulty controller can disrupt watering schedules, leading to inconsistent water distribution.
• Broken or Missing Backflow Preventer: This crucial component safeguards your drinking water from contamination. A malfunctioning backflow preventer can be a serious health hazard.

Experienced Home and Property Inspectors

Worried about hidden leaks or an inefficient sprinkler system? SuperTeam’s experienced inspectors can help! We’ll inspect your irrigation system to make sure your lawn gets the right amount of water, right where it’s needed. Save water, save money, and keep your landscape healthy! Schedule your residential property inspection online today.