What is the Life Expectancy of a Sprinkler Irrigation System? - How Long Sprinklers Last and When You Should Replace Them.

When it comes to your sprinkler system, it is crucial to know its life expectancy. This is because it helps maintain a nice, healthy lawn and avoid costly repairs in the future. Being aware of it will give you peace of mind and help you decide whether it is worth fixing or replacing it entirely. In this article, we will tell you the signs of when irrigation is reaching the end of its life and helpful info on whether you should replace or repair it. Read on to find out more!

Typical Lifespan of Sprinkler Irrigation Systems

The average lifespan of sprinkler irrigation systems is usually around twenty years. This isn’t always the case, though, especially if you neglect properly maintaining and caring for your sprinklers. It is important to take good care of your sprinkler system so that it can have as long a life span as possible and hopefully make it a couple of decades before you should consider replacing it.
There are things you can do to help take care of your sprinkler system. For spring, you can inspect your sprinkler for any winter damage by checking for cracks, leaks, or broken heads. Then, you can easily replace broken or damaged parts without investing too much money and time. You can also clean the sprinkler heads and adjust your watering schedule to accommodate the spring weather. This usually means increasing the water output and adjusting the water distribution. For summer, you can continue monitoring and checking for leaks and ensure your sprinkler is evenly watering the areas you want. Lastly, when winter comes around again, it is good to winterize your system and clear your pipes of any water to avoid freezing damage. Then, you can repeat the cycle when spring rolls around once more. It is wise to hire a good company to inspect your sprinkler system annually or bi-annually so they can provide proactive maintenance for your irrigation system before any bigger problems develop.

Sprinklers watering a plant with a house and sidewalks in the background.

Signs Your Irrigation System is Reaching the End of Its Lifespan

There are signs that your irrigation system might be reaching the end of its lifespan, aside from reaching its twenty-year mile mark. One common issue can be you frequently repairing it for leaky fauces or broken valves. This could indicate rapid deterioration of your sprinklers. Another area for improvement is consistent watering, even after you make the necessary adjustments. Signs of inconsistent watering can be standing water, wet sidewalks, or dry brown spots on the sprinkler. Another sign can be irregular water spray patterns.
Other signs could be more visually obvious. One can be a sudden increase or spike in your water bill. Since the sprinkler isn’t functioning properly and might have persistent leaks, it wastes water and increases your water bill. Another is if your repair costs for your sprinkler are getting significantly more costly. Lastly, other signs can be uneven water distribution where some areas are being underwatered or overwatered. It is important to discover the source of these problems and then decide if replacing your sprinkler system entirely is better.

A man shutting off his flooded sprinkler head.

Replacing or Repairing Your Sprinkler System

Before you decide to put money down to replace your entire sprinkler system, your sprinkler system may need a few minor repairs. First, it is important to identify what the problem could be. Are the heads sprayed correctly or visibly damaged? They might simply need to be replaced. Repairing simple leaks, replacing faulty solenoids, and cleaning clogged pipes could resolve the issue. However, if the problem persists or keeps happening frequently, you should consider replacing your system as an option.
When considering replacing your sprinkler system as an option, it is best to hire a professional. It requires a lot of steps, and if you botch any part of installing a new sprinkler system, it will be more expensive and wasteful of your time and money if you need to redo it. When replacing a sprinkler system, you must learn how to lay it out and choose which parts you need. Then, you must remove the old system by turning off the water supply and digging out the old components. You will have to be careful you don’t hit nearby utility lines. Then you can install and connect the new pipes, ensuring they are straight and properly aligned. Lastly, you can install the sprinkler heads, connect the valves, test the system, and then refill the dug-up trenches to compact the soil around the pipes and heads. As you can see, this is a lengthy process, and it is best to consider professional help and guidance if you lack experience.

A person shutting off the main valve for their sprinkler system

Conclusion

When it comes to sprinkler systems, knowing how to care for them properly and recognizing the signs when you need to replace or repair them can be of great value. It will also take a lot of stress off since you will know what to do if you encounter these problems. Hopefully, this article has informed you more about understanding the parts of your sprinkler irrigation system, how to fix your sprinkler system and the importance of maintaining your sprinkler irrigation system. At Pro Green Landscape Solutions we are experts when it comes to professional irrigation and sprinkler repair. We offer consultations, customized irrigation design, installation, and inspection. You can call us at (512)-559-1315 or contact us today to schedule a quick booking.

LOGO
We're now accepting new clients, call now to speak with a representative.

Request A Quote!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Contact Your Local Experts

Pro Green Landscape Solutions is currently accepting new clients! If you're seeking excellence, you're in the right place. We want to understand your needs, so when reaching out, please include detailed information to ensure we can assist you promptly. Don't forget to mention a preferred contact time that suits you best.

Thank you for considering us. We eagerly await the opportunity to serve you and to make a positive impact.

Request A Quote!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.