While different parts of your system may need replacing throughout its life, you can expect the average sprinkler system to last for upwards of 20 years. During that time, you'll likely need to replace your sprinkler heads around the 10-year mark if using high-quality heads.
Annual inspections help ensure the system is working correctly, and no rust or water back-up has occurred. Even with regular maintenance, sprinkler heads do not last forever. Fire safety protocol recommends you get sprinkler heads replaced once every five years to prevent fire sprinkler leaks.
Adding a production date on the head is actually quite common since the first sprinkler heads appeared on the market. Adding a date is also mentioned as a requirement in modern product standards like FM class 20003, 'the following shall be displayed on a non-operating part of the sprinkler: Year of manufacture…'
Improper Pressuremore details
Consistently high pressure can also cause sprinkler heads to wear out more quickly, meaning you'll have to replace them more frequently. Low pressure prevents the heads from popping up all the way (like the image to the left), resulting in poor coverage and dry, brown spots of grass.
“Typically we see systems that are over 20 years of age and still performing.” Just because an irrigation system is still performing, however, doesn't mean that it won't require replacements along the way. “A homeowner will replace a head or two per season after the first 5-7 years of having their irrigation system.”
Trouble is, even dependable in-ground sprinkler systems don't last forever; the parts are all too easy to damage with your mower, or they may simply get cracked and worn over time. Signs that a sprinkler head needs replacing include low water pressure, frequent leaks, and a poor or nonexistent spray.
Unless an issue is highly visible — like a leak or corrosion — it may go unnoticed. Performing regular inspections, testing, and maintenance helps ensure sprinklers work well for decades. But at some point, even highly reliable heads must be replaced.
Generally speaking, residential lawn sprinklers can last anywhere between 20 to 25 years depending on how well your system was installed and maintained. Your sprinklers' longevity also depends on where you live.
On the other hand, watering longer but less frequently, “deep watering,” produces deep roots that mean lawns can better survive periods of drought. The ideal watering schedule is once or twice per week, for about 25 to 30 minutes each time.
A good rule of thumb is to have your sprinkler system winterized in early fall, but we recommend keeping an eye on the weather, and ensure that your watering system is drained and blown out at least one week prior to the seasons first freeze.
Sometimes sprinklers may indicate that there is a water pressure problem, but sometimes the issue lies within the sprinkler head. When sprinkler heads are clogged or dirty, then water is unable to flow properly through the system.
The most common reason is called "Low Head Drainage." This is when the lowest head on the zone drains residual water from the piping system out of the sprinkler. Eventually, the draining will stop after all the water has leaked out of the pipe.
System maintenance can help save you a lot of money and water! Cracks in pipes can lead to costly leaks, and broken sprinkler heads can waste water and money. You could be losing up to 25,000 gallons of water and $280 over a six-month irrigation season! Now is the perfect time to spruce up your irrigation system.
But life happens and sooner or later the running sprinkler is forgotten – even overnight! Not only does this waste water, it's also tough on the water bill – and can cause irreparable lawn and plant damage. In fact, over-watering can cause just as many problems as under-watering.
Soil conditions are often much better in the fall as your lawn benefits from moderate temperatures and weather. For the perfect install, the soil needs to be soft but not too wet or too dry, making fall the perfect time of year for this kind of lawn care.
Watering every day is not advised. It should be done 2 to 3 times per week only to prevent a shallow root system. If possible, water during the early morning hours to ensure that the lawn dries entirely before nightfall. However, watering at any time of the day is better than not watering at all.
Notably, fire sprinkler systems can fail at any time. The main causes of failure are corrosion, freezing, improper installation, and inadequate parts and materials.
People water too much, too often, at the wrong times, and the wrong way. Not only does this waste a valuable and increasingly scarce resource, it also makes your lawn look worse by increasing disease, insect, and thatch problems.
Multi-stream rotational sprinkler heads can be used for irrigation systems in place of traditional fixed-spray nozzles (sprinkler heads). They have a lower precipitation rate and better distribution uniformity compared to traditional pop-up nozzles. They reduce water use and irrigate the landscape more evenly.
Gear Driven. Gear driven rotary sprinkler heads move at a uniform speed to distribute water evenly over the lawn. The best lawn sprinkler heads for large and medium lawns and side lawns, gear-driven sprinkler heads often feature adjustable patterns.