Sprinkler systems need to be winterized in the fall. This means they need to be drained and turned off before the first deep freeze hits. And once spring comes round, sprinkler systems will have to be watched for damage and then turned only after any essential maintenance or repairs have been completed.
So who is accountable for these repair and maintenance tasks? That is determined by what terms are included in your lease. A number of landlords prefer having tenants do routine sprinkler system maintenance and turning them on or off each and every season and believe it is the appropriate policy. Numerous others may adopt a more strict process since broken sprinkler pipes can bring on extensive property damage rather quickly and a non-functioning system will make it hard for the renter to continue maintaining a healthy lawn or landscape features week after week.
Though some tenants may be skilled enough to handle basic sprinkler system maintenance and even a small number of repairs, having them complete it is still putting a lot on the line. If your renters happen to forget to winterize the system, you could have a flooded mess on your hands a little while later. Or, if they don’t have the skills to fix a broken pipe or sprinkler head, they may leave lawns or trees to die.
If you don’t want to do the sprinkler system maintenance and repairs yourself, your safest possible choice is to hire a professional landscape company to handle it for you. By doing so, you can be assured that the job gets done every time and will get done correctly every year. As sad as it is to say, not all landscape companies provide excellent service and you could find out that the costs can sneak up on you and add up quickly.
At Real Property Management Heritage, we have a team of trusted professionals and preferred vendors on hand to see to sprinkler system maintenance and repair issues. We schedule sprinkler turn-on and off, provide consistent maintenance and any required repairs with the landscaping company, coordinate with your tenants and managing all the details. Would you care to understand more about how we can support you? Please contact us online or call us at 832-708-8157 for additional information.