Preventative maintenance is essential for commercial and residential irrigation systems, but there’s more to it than merely scheduling seasonal shutdown and start-up services. Your lawn sprinkler system is exposed to hazards daily, some of which may not seem like problems to the average homeowner. If you own a lawn sprinkler system, look out for these four potential hazards. The experts at Sposato Irrigation are standing by for irrigation maintenance and repair.

1) Mowing Around Your Lawn Sprinkler System

Whether you mow your lawn yourself or have someone else do it for you, operating a lawnmower around your sprinkler system can be risky. Even the most well-intentioned homeowner has likely dinged a sprinkler head or two. If damaged sprinkler heads are a regular occurrence for you (or you’re worried about damaging sprinkler heads in the future), there are a few potential solutions. Pop-up sprinkler heads or emitters that are less than half an inch above ground are a great place to start. Swing joints are another popular option, and they allow greater flexibility if a sprinkler head gets hit. Of course, it’s always a good idea to double-check the height of your mower’s blades before mowing.

2) Dirt and Clogged Emitters

Nutrient-rich soil is vital for any garden, but it can also cause problems for some sprinkler systems. Dirt can accumulate in pipelines, sprinkler heads, and drip emitters, both during installation and routine use. This can lead to blockages and decreased efficiency. Flushing out your lawn sprinkler system regularly (particularly if blockages are a problem) is one helpful solution, and routine inspections from an irrigation professional can help you detect problems before they worsen.

3) Freezing Temperatures

Even something as simple as the weather can be a problem for sprinkler systems in Delaware. Water or moisture left behind by an ineffective blowout can freeze and expand, leading to damage. Winterization and spring start-up services are vital in prolonging your lawn sprinkler system’s life and minimizing the risk of leaks, cracks, and other types of damage.

4) Invasive Tree Roots

Your lawn sprinkler system may be designed to deliver water to the roots of nearby trees and shrubs, but there are occasions when these roots can become an issue. Tree roots tend to seek out moisture, which can be a problem in systems with cracked pipes. The smallest fissure can allow excess water to seep into the surrounding soil, and roots can grow toward this moisture and invade your system’s pipes over time. Even if roots do not breach the lines themselves, they can entangle your system’s components and apply devastating pressure as they grow. Depending on the extent of the issue, your irrigation service professionals may have to reroute your sprinkler system.

Choose Sposato Irrigation

Sposato Irrigation is uniquely positioned to offer high-quality, affordable, and reliable irrigation services to homeowners and business owners in Sussex County, Milton, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Ocean View, Millsboro, Dagsboro, and Ocean City, MD. Thanks to our expertise, innovation and decades of professional experience, we can meet the needs of large properties and small gardens. To learn more about our irrigation installation, LED landscape lighting, and commercial irrigation maintenance services, contact us today. We can be reached at 302-645-4773. Also, check us out on Facebook and Twitter.