Fall Irrigation System Maintenance Checklist

As Phoenix temperatures drop from 110°F in September to pleasant 70s by November, your irrigation system needs significant adjustments. Fall maintenance prevents water waste during cooler months, prepares your system for occasional winter freezes, and sets the stage for efficient spring startup. Proper fall care saves hundreds of dollars on winter water bills while protecting your investment in irrigation infrastructure.

Reduce Watering Frequency and Duration

As temperatures drop below 100°F in late September, begin reducing watering frequency. Grass that needed daily watering in July requires only 3-4 days weekly by October and 2-3 days weekly by November. Desert landscaping drops from 2-3 times weekly to once weekly or every 10 days. Reduce zone runtimes by 25-30% as evaporation rates decrease and plant water demand drops. Smart controllers handle this automatically through weather-based adjustments, but manual controllers need updates every 2-3 weeks as temperatures continue falling.

Inspect and Repair Summer Damage

Phoenix's brutal summer places extreme stress on irrigation components. Fall is the ideal time to address damage before winter. Inspect all sprinkler heads for cracks from UV exposure and heat stress. Check pipes for leaks that developed under summer's high pressure and frequent cycling. Test all valves for proper operation—valves that struggled in summer often fail completely in winter. Replace worn components now while temperatures are moderate and technicians are available. Waiting until winter means emergency repairs during the busy holiday season.

Clean and Flush the System

Summer's hard water and dust storms deposit minerals and sediment throughout your system. Flush all zones by removing end caps and running each zone for 2-3 minutes until water runs clear. Clean sprinkler head filters and screens. For drip systems, remove end caps and flush thoroughly—summer's mineral deposits clog emitters and reduce efficiency. Clean valve boxes of accumulated dirt and debris. Fall cleaning prevents winter problems and ensures spring startup goes smoothly.

Prepare for Winter Freezes

Phoenix's occasional winter freezes (typically 2-4 nights below 32°F from December through February) can damage irrigation systems. Insulate backflow preventers and exposed pipes with foam covers. Drain water from above-ground components that can't be insulated. Program controllers to skip watering when overnight temperatures drop below 35°F. Test rain sensors to ensure they prevent watering during winter storms. These simple preparations prevent thousands in freeze damage repairs.