Water
Check irrigation and adjust it to the weather
Check root moisture and recent rain before running the system.
When to do it
At season changes, after repairs and whenever plants show uneven watering.
What you need
- System manual
- Moisture-checking tool
- Matching user-serviceable spare parts if needed
How to do it
- Check root moisture and recent rain before running the system. Select one zone so faults are easy to locate.
- Watch every outlet. Mark leaks, dry patches, overspray and unusually weak flow; compare wetting in several root areas.
- Turn the water off before cleaning filters or replacing simple accessible fittings as the manual directs. Do not enlarge emitter holes; get help for electrical, buried or pressure faults.
- Retest the repaired zone. Check penetration after water has soaked in, not just surface wetness.
- Adjust duration or frequency one setting at a time for actual plant need and applicable watering rules. Recheck in the following days, especially new plants and pots.
What success looks like
- Water reaches the intended roots without leaks, puddles or path runoff.
Watch out for
- Increasing run time to compensate for a blockage.
- Leaving summer settings unchanged after useful rain.
Related help
Set up a simple drip-watering line
Sketch the planted root areas and water source.
Water the roots, without wasting water
Use a slow, targeted watering to reach the soil your plant is growing in.
Sources and review
Checked 24 September 2026. Source-checked editorial guidance; not field-tested or independently reviewed by a horticulturist.