Sprinkler systems here (San Antonio, Austin, Seguin: how much, houses, calculating)

[teasipmom]

So, how much cost in annual maintenance do people normally spend on a sprinkler system here?

When they do maintenance, what do they do?

Where do most people install the backflow preventer? in the ground or above ground? Mine recently got hosed during the last freeze and it was above ground.

Any help/tips in this area would be greatly appreciated!

[Eastcoasting]

I'm not an expert by any stretch but if you have above ground components they will prob need to be turned off and drained during the winter months.

My system has everything below ground, so far so good. I do lose a couple sprinkler heads a year to age or over zealous landscapers...however the 14 foot geysers that result are momentarily entertaining!

[Seguinite]

If you have a septic system, I believe the backflow apparatus has to be above ground, and annual inspection by a licensed inspector is required. Been required for some time (2009?), but not all the water utilities were following the rules. Some may still not be. Mine is now, and the inspection was $80. As to maintenance, I've done nothing in 6 years, other than wrapping that ugly backflow plumbing with insulation and making it uglier.

[CptnRn]

I usually pay for an inspection and tune up of my sprinkler system each spring before I turn it back on, it usually costs less than $200. They check all of the sprinkler heads to make sure they are clear and properly adjusted and look for leaks.

I turn it off during the winter months when Austin is calculating the waste water averaging rate that I will have to pay the rest of the year.

[Trainwreck20]

We replace a couple of heads per year, on average.

Our backflow valve is right near the main cutoff valve to our property and is located in a small utility box underground. We have never had a freezing problem with it - I suspect between being located below grade, covered, and adjacent to flowing 'warmer' water takes care of the issue.

[gwarnecke]

I've never had to do any sort of regular maintenance on either of our sprinkler systems, other than an initial check/tune up after we bought each house.

I do my own lawn maintenance and have never lost a sprinkler head.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by Seguinite

If you have a septic system, I believe the backflow apparatus has to be above ground, and annual inspection by a licensed inspector is required. Been required for some time (2009?), but not all the water utilities were following the rules. Some may still not be. Mine is now, and the inspection was $80. As to maintenance, I've done nothing in 6 years, other than wrapping that ugly backflow plumbing with insulation and making it uglier.

It is NOT a requirement to have your system inspected annually.

I've had irrigation systems for 20 years in Austin and never had an inspection.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by teasipmom

So, how much cost in annual maintenance do people normally spend on a sprinkler system here?

When they do maintenance, what do they do?

Where do most people install the backflow preventer? in the ground or above ground? Mine recently got hosed during the last freeze and it was above ground.

Any help/tips in this area would be greatly appreciated!

I believe they are required to be above ground. There are backflow preventer covers available at Lowes and Home Depot. They protect against freeze damage.

I never turn my system off and the only maintenance cost is replacing broken sprinklers.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by Roadking2003

I believe they are required to be above ground. There are backflow preventer covers available at Lowes and Home Depot. They protect against freeze damage.

I never turn my system off and the only maintenance cost is replacing broken sprinklers.

No backflow preventers are not required to be above ground. Mine, at two different houses. have been underground, where they are less likely to freeze up and break.

You have been lucky if you have never had a major leak, they are hard to detect when a water line breaks underground, until you get a water bill a month later that is out the roof. That is my motivation for having the system inspected once a year.

[Seguinite]

Originally Posted by Roadking2003

It is NOT a requirement to have your system inspected annually.

I've had irrigation systems for 20 years in Austin and never had an inspection.

As mentioned, it IS a requirement if you have a septic system on the property. Established by TCEQ I think in 2009. And also as mentioned, some water utilities weren't/aren't enforcing it... probably because they haven't been caught yet and it irritates the customers. A coworker in San Antonio WITHOUT a septic is also having an annual inspection dictated by SAWS. Interesting reading on the TCEQ website.