Irrigation Maintenance & Repair

What Is Irrigation Maintenance & Repair?

A professionally installed sprinkler system is built to last, but it needs regular care to keep performing the way it should. Meadow Lawn & Pest provides comprehensive irrigation maintenance and repair services for homeowners across Hampton Roads. This includes spring system start-ups to kick off the watering season, fall winterizations to protect your system from freeze damage, mid-season checkups to catch small problems early, emergency repairs when something goes wrong, and certified backflow testing required by most municipalities. We service all brands and types of residential in-ground systems, regardless of who installed them. Whether you need a quick tune-up or a major repair, Meadow has the tools, training, and local experience to get your system running right.

Spring Start-Up — Getting Your System Ready for the Season

Each spring, your irrigation system needs to be properly reactivated after winter. Meadow’s spring start-up service includes turning on the main water supply, slowly pressurizing the system to check for winter damage, inspecting all zones for proper operation, adjusting sprinkler heads for coverage, testing the controller and programming a seasonal watering schedule, and checking the backflow preventer. Spring start-ups are typically performed March through May, when temperatures consistently stay above freezing. We recommend scheduling two to four weeks in advance since spring is our busiest season.

Fall Winterization — Protecting Your System Before the Freeze

Fall winterization is one of the most important services you can have done for your irrigation system. When temperatures drop below freezing, any water left inside the pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads can expand and crack, causing expensive damage that is not covered under warranty. Meadow’s winterization service uses a professional air compressor to blow out each zone individually at 40 to 80 PSI, purging all water from the mainline, lateral lines, valves, and heads. We also drain and insulate the backflow preventer and set the controller to off mode. Winterization is typically performed October through November, before the first hard freeze. Pricing starts at $72.97 for up to four zones and $83.97 to $160.97 for larger systems.

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Irrigation System Repairs — We Fix All Makes and Models

When something goes wrong with your sprinkler system, Meadow can diagnose and fix it. We service all brands and types of residential in-ground irrigation systems. Common repairs include broken sprinkler head replacement, valve repair or replacement for stuck or leaking valves, underground pipe leak repair, controller repair or replacement, backflow preventer repair, wiring repair for broken control wires, and zone coverage adjustments. All repair calls start with a diagnostic service visit. The $105 service call fee covers travel, diagnosis, and the first hour of labor. We provide an estimate before proceeding with any significant work, so you know what to expect before we begin. For urgent situations like a system that will not shut off or a flooded yard, we prioritize emergency calls.

Routine Maintenance & Certified Backflow Testing

Keeping your irrigation system in top shape throughout the season means more than just spring and fall service. Meadow offers a mid-season system checkup which includes a complete inspection of all zones, adjusting heads for proper coverage, cleaning clogged nozzles and filters, checking for leaks in valves and pipes, testing controller programming, verifying zone run times, and checking system pressure. We also perform certified backflow testing which is required annually by most municipalities in Hampton Roads. Our technician inspects the backflow device, runs operational tests using calibrated equipment, verifies all check valves, completes the official test report, and submits results to your local water authority when required.

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Service Warranty — What's Covered After We Leave

Meadow warranties all repair labor for 30 days from the date of service. If the same issue returns due to a problem with our workmanship, we will come back and fix it at no charge within that period. Parts carry manufacturer warranties, which typically run one to two years depending on the component. It is equally important to understand what is not covered. Warranty does not apply to freeze damage caused by failure to winterize annually, damage from lawn mowing equipment, damage from homeowner modifications, or damage caused by third-party contractors. Meadow cannot guarantee repairs on systems that are not properly winterized each year. For systems outside of the 30-day labor warranty window, service calls and parts are billed at standard rates.

Winterization — Protecting Your System from Freeze Damage

Hampton Roads winters are mild compared to much of the country, but temperatures do drop below freezing, and any water left sitting in your irrigation pipes can expand and crack the lines or fittings. Winterization means using compressed air to blow all water out of your system before the first hard freeze. Meadow offers irrigation winterization as a separate seasonal service. We strongly recommend scheduling it each fall, typically between late October and early December. In the spring, we offer a system startup service to restore water flow, check for any winter damage, test all zones, and adjust head positions after any settling or shifting. Keeping up with winterization and spring startup protects your investment and extends the life of your system.

How to Prepare for Your Irrigation Service Visit

A little preparation before your appointment helps our technicians work efficiently and prevents delays or rescheduling fees. Before a spring start-up, clear any debris or mulch covering sprinkler heads, unlock all gates, secure pets indoors, and make the controller accessible. Before fall winterization, clear access to the backflow preventer and provide access to the outdoor hose bib or air compressor connection point. Before any repair visit, mark the location of the visible problem if you can, note which zone is affected, turn off the affected zone at the controller if it is running continuously, and mark any private underground utilities in the work area. Call Miss Utility at 811 before any repair that may involve excavation near property lines. Gates must be unlocked on service day or the appointment may be rescheduled.