Maybe this headline should read “What’s the Cost if You Don’t Maintain Your Irrigation System? What to expect in Minneapolis.”
Worst case scenario: exploding pipes. Dead grass. Expensive repair bills. Dead flowers. Lots of crying. It’s basically an epic disaster movie, with a front row seat on your porch.
Sprinkler systems need routine maintenance to keep running smoothly and efficiently.
How much does it cost to maintain an irrigation system?
Come out from under the bed and let’s take a look.
First Up: The Cost for Regular Tune-Ups
The cost to maintain a sprinkler system starts with signing up for an irrigation maintenance program that includes some combination of spring activation, fall winterization, and tune-up visits throughout the busy summer months. 
Expect to pay $225 to $450 a year for a good irrigation maintenance program in Minneapolis, depending on the level of service you choose.
Included in the cost to maintain a sprinkler system: peace of mind. You know irrigation specialists are keeping an eye on things, noticing small signs of potential problems before they turn into more costly headaches.
Sometimes everything is running great. Maybe the controller just needs adjusting for the season. Other times, your irrigation maintenance company will find sprinkler heads that need to be adjusted or replaced. Or broken valves. A zone that won’t turn off. A loose fitting.
Whatever your sprinkler system maintenance costs are, your irrigation program should be designed to match your needs. At RainMaster, every visit is planned to optimize the performance of your irrigation system, reduce your water usage, and promote a healthier landscape.
Next Up: Fixing Any Routine Issues
It’s normal for irrigation system parts to wear out over time or need to be adjusted.
How much to plan for sprinkler system maintenance costs? Budget at least $300 a year for these kinds of repairs to make sure your irrigation system runs smoothly and keeps the water flowing to your thriving, healthy lawn.
Ignore irrigation maintenance and it can cost you a lot more for expensive emergency repairs.
What does your irrigation system maintenance program include?
Spring Activation is Part of Sprinkler System Maintenance Costs
Here in Minneapolis, irrigation system activation happens between mid-April and the end of May, depending on the weather.
Most irrigation systems need some tweaks to get ready for the busy watering season.
Irrigation specialists will:
- Inspect your sprinkler heads. Frost might have caused the ground to heave and nudge your sprinkler heads out of whack. That means they might spray your driveway instead of your lawn. Maybe a snowplow caused damage. A fitting might have come loose. A thorough inspection will spot any problems.
- Adjust your irrigation controller. A lot of people unplug their irrigation controller for the winter and it loses all its settings. Now it’s time to de-winterize your irrigation system, and adjusting your controller for the season is key.
- Check your rain sensor. They’ll make sure the batteries are still working and that it’s clear and not obstructed by debris.
- Test every irrigation zone. They’ll make sure each of your zones turn on and off and run properly, so your entire lawn gets the water it needs without costly waste. Any leaks, tweaks, or problems after the long winter? No worries.
Sprinkler System Maintenance Costs Includes Winterization
This is a big one. Shutting down your sprinkler system is a crucial task before the first deep freeze of the season. Your irrigation maintenance company absolutely must get the water out of your pipes, valves, and heads before the first deep freeze.
If water freezes and expands, things break, and that means a costly repair.
Other irrigation system maintenance tasks before winter:
- Winterizing your lake pump, if you use one, so it doesn’t break from winter’s freezing temperatures.
- Adding RV antifreeze to protect it, cover up the ends of the pipes so critters don’t crawl in and camp out; and remove the wiring so it doesn’t accidentally get turned on.
- Winterization should also include getting any water out of your backflow device. Freezing water will damage the internal components and can crack the body.
A Good Idea: A Mid-Season Inspection to Diagnose Problems and Do Repairs
How much does it cost to maintain an irrigation system? It’s smart to choose an irrigation maintenance program that includes a mid-season tune-up, too.
Think about all the hard work your sprinkler system does all summer, during the driest, hottest days.
Doesn’t it make sense to have irrigation maintenance services then, when your system works the hardest?
Your irrigation maintenance company should check those hard-working sprinkler heads, test your zones and update your controller for the hot summer weather.
Better Efficiency That Saves You Money
When you’re pondering how much to spend on sprinkler system maintenance costs, remember the extra savings. When your irrigation specialist visits your property for routine maintenance, they may find water-wasting issues you didn’t know were happening, from sprinkler heads spraying out too much water to a controller set for the wrong season.
Helpful Recommendations About the Health of Your Lawn
This seems like a bonus, right? But it should be standard procedure for a good irrigation maintenance company, and included in your irrigation system maintenance costs.
Wouldn’t it be nice to know how to help prevent future repairs? How to make the most of the irrigation system you have? How your irrigation habits can contribute to a healthier lawn?
Great irrigation specialists don’t just know how to fix your broken sprinkler head. They learn about lawn care, in depth, which means you get an expert irrigation repair — and a lot more.
Need Irrigation Maintenance Services in Minneapolis or Eau Claire? Trust RainMaster
Did we mention your irrigation maintenance company should make all of this super easy?
You deserve skilled, efficient irrigation repair; continued attentive maintenance; and friendly customer service that takes away the stress and makes things easy.
Hire an Eau Claire or Minneapolis irrigation maintenance company that goes beyond fixing that immediate irrigation repair problem and sets you up for easy maintenance designed for the long haul.
Choose from our three irrigation maintenance programs to make sure everything is running smoothly.
When you’re ready to put your trust in us, we can’t wait to meet you — and help you make the best choice for your lawn.
Ready to make your lawn life easier? Request a quote today! We’ll review your options together so you can make a confident decision. Then, you can finally enjoy your well-watered lawn and stop worrying about it.
