Spring Irrigation Checklist for Las Vegas Homeowners: Get Your System Ready Before the Heat Hits

Spring in Las Vegas means one thing for your yard: it’s time to get your irrigation system dialed in before triple-digit heat arrives. The SNWA’s spring watering schedule kicked in on March 1, allowing irrigation three days per week based on your address. If you haven’t touched your timer since winter, now’s the time.

Here’s a practical checklist you can walk through this weekend to make sure your system is ready.

1. Update Your Irrigation Timer

Your controller should now be set to water three days per week on your assigned schedule. If you’re not sure which days apply to your address, check the SNWA watering schedule.

We also recommend programming your timer to use the cycle-and-soak method: instead of one long watering session, split each zone into two or three shorter cycles with 30-60 minutes between them. This helps the water absorb into our desert soil instead of running off into the gutter.

2. Run Each Zone and Walk Your Yard

Turn on each zone manually and walk the yard while it runs. You’re looking for:

• 🔹Broken or tilted sprinkler heads
• 🔹Heads that aren’t popping up all the way
• 🔹Dry spots or areas getting too much water
• 🔹Water spraying onto sidewalks, walls, or driveways
• 🔹Pooling water (which may indicate a line leak)

Even one broken head can waste thousands of gallons over a season – and that shows up on your water bill fast.

3. Check Your Drip Irrigation Lines

Drip systems are great for desert landscaping, but they need attention after sitting through winter. Here’s what to check:

• 🔹Flush your drip lines by opening the end caps and letting water run through for a few minutes to clear out sediment and debris.
• 🔹Inspect emitters – look for clogged, broken, or missing drip emitters. Replace any that aren’t flowing properly.
• 🔹Check the filter – your drip system should have an inline filter. Clean or replace it at the start of each season.
• 🔹Look for damage – sun, animals, and landscaping equipment can crack or disconnect drip tubing over the winter months.

4. Inspect Your Valves and Backflow Preventer

Your irrigation valves control water flow to each zone. If a valve is leaking or stuck, you might notice zones that won’t turn off, low pressure in certain areas, or water bubbling up around the valve box.

Also take a look at your backflow preventer. This device keeps irrigation water from flowing back into your home’s drinking water supply. It’s required by code in Las Vegas and should be tested annually. If it’s leaking, corroded, or damaged, have it repaired or replaced before the heavy watering season starts.

5. Check Your Water Meter for Hidden Leaks

Here’s a quick trick most homeowners don’t know about:

Underground irrigation leaks can go unnoticed for months and waste a huge amount of water. If your meter shows movement, give us a call and we’ll track it down.

6. Think Ahead: Summer Is Coming Fast

Spring is the best time to make upgrades before summer demand hits. A few things worth considering:

• 🔹Upgrade to a smart controller – Wi-Fi-enabled timers like the Rachio or Hunter Hydrawise adjust watering based on local weather data and can save 20-30% on water use.
• 🔹Convert spray zones to drip – if you have planter beds still on spray heads, switching to drip irrigation can dramatically reduce water waste.
• 🔹Add rain/freeze sensors – these inexpensive devices shut your system off automatically during rain or freezing conditions.

Quick Reference: Las Vegas Watering Seasons

Season	Dates	Allowed Days	Watering Hours
Winter	Nov 1 – Feb 28	1 day/week	11 AM – 7 PM
Spring	Mar 1 – Apr 30	3 days/week	7 PM – 11 AM
Summer	May 1 – Aug 31	6 days/week	7 PM – 11 AM
Fall	Sep 1 – Oct 31	3 days/week	7 PM – 11 AM

Source: Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA)

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Need Help? We’re Here.

If anything on this checklist seems off – or if you’d rather have a pro handle it – contact Irrigation Solutions of Las Vegas. We’re a licensed SNWA Water Smart Contractor and we’ve been repairing and installing irrigation systems across the valley since 2009.

Call or text us: 702.370.2828

We service Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, and surrounding areas.