Don’t Let Summer Fry Your Yard: Smart Irrigation Tips for Greater Houston Homeowners
As the Greater Houston area braces for another summer of triple-digit temperatures, homeowners are getting their yards in shape—but one critical system often goes unnoticed until it’s too late: your irrigation system.
A well-functioning sprinkler or drip irrigation system is more than just a convenience; it’s essential to keeping lawns and gardens healthy without draining your wallet. As summer heat intensifies, an inefficient system can lead to dead plants, sky-high water bills, or both. Now is the perfect time to give your irrigation system a check-up—and avoid the stress (and expense) of emergency repairs down the line.
Why Sprinkler System Efficiency Matters
During the summer, lawn irrigation can account for 50% or more of a household’s water use, especially in Houston’s hot and humid climate. An unnoticed leak, misaligned sprinkler head, or overactive timer can easily waste thousands of gallons of water—and leave your yard either scorched or waterlogged.
Efficient irrigation is about balance: providing enough water to keep plants thriving without waste. Overwatering can cause root rot and fungal disease, while underwatering leaves your grass brittle and plants stressed. Either extreme can damage the landscape you’ve worked hard to maintain.
Additionally, with local municipalities occasionally issuing water conservation guidelines during drought periods, having a dialed-in system keeps you in compliance—and protects your community’s water supply.
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How to Check Your Irrigation System in 5 Simple Steps
Before summer hits its stride, take an hour or two for a quick DIY inspection. Here’s what to look for:
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Run a Manual Test: Turn on each irrigation zone one at a time. Walk the yard while the system runs to check for sprinkler heads that are clogged, misaligned, or not spraying evenly.
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Look for Leaks: Check for soggy patches of grass, pooling water, or signs of water bubbling up from the soil—these can all point to a broken line or loose connection underground.
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Clean Sprinkler Heads: Dirt, grass clippings, and debris can clog sprinkler heads. Gently remove and rinse them as needed to restore full spray patterns.
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Adjust Spray Angles: Make sure heads aren’t spraying water onto sidewalks, driveways, or your home’s foundation. Redirect any that are misaligned to avoid waste and damage.
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Inspect the Controller: Review your watering schedule. Most Houston-area lawns need about 1 inch of water per week, ideally split between two early-morning waterings.
Easy Fixes You Can Handle Yourself
Many minor issues with home irrigation systems can be tackled without calling a professional:
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Replacing a damaged sprinkler head is a simple swap. Just unscrew the old one and screw in a new, compatible model.
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Realigning a tilted head takes a few minutes with a small shovel and level.
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Replacing batteries in your controller or reprogramming the schedule for summer settings ensures you’re not watering during peak evaporation hours.
Just remember: small repairs should always be done with the water off, and you should turn the system back on to test each fix.
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When to Call a Pro
While plenty of homeowners are comfortable with basic maintenance, some situations call for a licensed irrigation specialist:
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Persistent low pressure or poor coverage could indicate a leak or blockage in underground lines.
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Electrical issues with smart controllers or valves may require diagnostics tools and expertise.
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Backflow prevention device failures, required by many Houston-area MUDs and municipalities, need licensed professionals to repair or replace legally.
If you’ve noticed unusually high water bills or unexplained wet areas in the yard, don’t delay—call a professional before the issue worsens.
Beat the Heat, Protect Your Landscape
Getting ahead of irrigation issues now can save you money, conserve water, and protect the time and effort you’ve invested in your landscaping. As we roll into Houston’s notoriously hot summer months, even a brief system check can mean the difference between a green oasis and a costly desert.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
