Seasonal Sprinkler Maintenance Checklist for Denver Homeowners

Stay ahead of sprinkler problems in Denver with this seasonal maintenance checklist. Learn how to protect your lawn and system all year long.

Denver’s weather doesn’t mess around. One week, you’re sipping iced tea in a tank top, and the next, you’re chipping ice off your windshield. That’s why taking care of your sprinkler system year-round isn’t just smart—it’s necessary. At CS Sprinklers, we’ve lived and worked through enough Denver seasons to know exactly what your yard needs and when it needs it. Below, we’ve broken down a full year of sprinkler care into manageable chunks so your lawn stays gorgeous and your system runs as expected.

Spring: Wake-Up Call for Your System

Spring in Denver means the thaw begins—unless of course it snows again in April (which it probably will). Either way, this is the time your sprinkler system stretches its legs after a long winter nap. Before flipping that switch, walk your yard and inspect every visible part of your system. Look for broken heads, cracked pipes, or suspicious soggy spots. These signs point to freeze damage or wear and tear from last fall. If anything looks off, give us a shout before water starts flowing.

Once everything above ground checks out, slowly turn the water back on. And we mean slowly—doing it too fast can burst a line or valve. Open the valve a quarter turn at a time to give air a chance to escape and avoid pressure spikes. Then, run a test on each zone. Make sure the heads pop up as they should and aren’t spraying your driveway or your neighbor’s cat. If the spray is weak or uneven, you may have clogs or pressure issues to sort out.

Now is also the perfect time to program your controller for the season. Begin with light watering two or three times a week, depending on the weather conditions. Overwatering in spring can lead to fungus and waste. As the days get longer and warmer, you can adjust accordingly. Keep an eye on the forecast, and don’t water if Mother Nature’s already doing the job for you.

Summer: Monitor and Adjust

Ah, summer in Denver—sunny skies, dry heat, and lawns thirstier than a teenager after football practice. It’s easy to overdo the watering this time of year, especially when the grass starts to look a little crispy. But cranking up the system isn’t always the answer. Over-watering can cause shallow roots and even attract pests. It’s about watering deep and not too often.

The easiest way to check how much water your lawn is actually getting? Toss a few empty tuna cans around the yard and run your system. If there’s less than half an inch in the cans after 15 minutes, your grass may not be getting enough to soak in. Try increasing the run time instead of frequency and see how your lawn responds over the next few days. Healthy grass can take a bit of heat when the roots are well established.

Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for shifting heads or clogged nozzles. Mowers, kids, and even dogs can knock things around or leave mud behind. A once-a-month walkthrough during summer helps you catch problems before they get out of hand. And if you have drip zones for gardens or flower beds, make sure they’re still delivering water evenly. Summer heat can warp tubing, causing slow leaks or uneven flow.

Fall: Wind Things Down the Right Way

Fall in Denver is when things get real. It might be 75 today, but a surprise frost isn’t far off. The shift in seasons means it’s time to prep your system for hibernation. Start by dialing back your watering schedule as the days get shorter and cooler. Grass doesn’t grow as fast in fall, and the soil holds moisture longer, so don’t keep soaking it like it’s mid-July.

Before the first freeze hits, it’s time to blow out your sprinkler system. This step is non-negotiable in Colorado. Water left in the lines will freeze, expand, and cause cracks that can turn into costly springtime repairs. If you’ve got an air compressor and know what you’re doing, you can attempt it yourself. If not, let us handle it—no shame in bringing in the pros when the alternative is digging up a busted main line.

You should also take a few minutes to check your controller and make sure everything’s powered down properly. If it runs on a backup battery, replace it now so you’re not caught off guard in the spring. Label any trouble spots you noticed during the summer, so you can get ahead of them next year. Fall prep is the difference between a smooth startup and a soggy mess.

Winter: Stay Frost-Free and Ready

You might think winter means you can forget about your sprinkler system altogether. Not quite. While it won’t be running, the way you shut it down and store your components matters. Make sure your backflow preventer is fully drained and insulated. If it’s left exposed, even one hard freeze can crack it—and replacements aren’t cheap.

Walk around your yard a couple of times during the winter months, especially after snowmelt. If you see signs of water pooling or freezing in odd places, you may have a slow leak or drainage issue. Snow piling around sprinkler heads isn’t usually a big deal, but if ice starts forming around valve boxes or fittings, it could mean something’s cracked below the surface.

Winter is also a great time to plan upgrades. Want to switch to a smart controller next season? Thinking of adding a drip system for your garden? This is when we help customers plan and quote jobs, so you’re ready to hit the ground running in spring. Sprinkler systems are like anything else—stay ahead of the work, and you’ll avoid most of the stress.

Taking care of your sprinkler system doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be consistent. Denver’s weather swings can do a number on pipes, valves, and controllers if you’re not paying attention. A little effort each season goes a long way toward keeping your lawn lush, your system efficient, and your repair bills low.

At CS Sprinklers, we’re not just here when things break—we’re here to help you avoid problems in the first place. Give us a call anytime at (303) 627-4190 or email us at sprinklers@cssprinklers.com for seasonal checkups, winter blowouts, or just a second opinion. We know Denver yards because we live here too. Let’s keep your grass greener together.

Give us a call today at (303) 627-4190 or email us at sprinklers@cssprinklers.com.