Top Sprinkler & Irrigation in Tempe, Arizona Ranked

A well-designed sprinkler and irrigation system is essential for maintaining a healthy, vibrant landscape in Tempe's desert climate. These automated watering systems deliver precise amounts of water exactly where your plants need it, conserving a precious resource while saving you time and effort. This guide will help you understand the components, best practices, and local considerations for efficient landscape watering, empowering you to find the right professional services for installation, maintenance, or upgrades.

Repair Services

3961 E Chandler Blvd Suite 111-190, Phoenix, AZ 85048

Repair Services is a Phoenix, AZ-based company specializing in landscape lighting installation and sprinkler system services, including installation, repair, and replacement. They handle all irrigation components such as valves, controllers, back-flow preventers, and various sprinkler heads to help maintain healthy lawns and landscapes. Established in 2004, the company has over a decade of experience serving the local community. They also offer low voltage outdoor lighting installation through their sister company, AZ Lighting Pros.

5.0

622 Reviews

Controlled Rain Inc.

10105 E Vía Linda #103-319, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Controlled Rain Inc. is a family-owned irrigation company based near Phoenix, AZ, specializing in sprinkler installation, repair, and irrigation system optimization. They focus on water-efficient solutions tailored to Arizona's climate, including smart controllers, drip zones, and automated weather adjustments to help customers conserve water and maintain healthy plants. With decades of experience, Controlled Rain Inc. offers expertise in upgrading irrigation systems for better performance and ease of use through smartphone control.

5.0

440 Reviews

fixthedrip.com

26840 N Black Cyn Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85083

fixthedrip.com is a landscaping and irrigation company based in Phoenix, AZ, serving both commercial and residential properties. They specialize in irrigation system installation and repair, yard drainage, grading, and planting services. The company offers smart Wi-Fi controllers to automate irrigation and provides durable drip tubing options designed to last a lifetime. Established in 1973, fixthedrip.com brings nearly 50 years of experience to Arizona landscapes, with licensed, bonded, and insured technicians. Their repairs come with a one-year warranty, and new installations carry a three-year warranty.

5.0

352 Reviews

Glen C Landscaping & Hardscape

phoenix

Glen C Landscaping & Hardscape is a family-owned landscaping company serving Phoenix, AZ, and surrounding areas including Scottsdale, Glendale, Surprise, and Avondale. With over 10 years of industry experience, they provide a wide range of services such as landscape design, lawn maintenance, irrigation and sprinkler installation, tree services, hardscaping including retaining walls and pavers, and artificial turf installation. Their team focuses on quality work and offers flexible financing options to meet client needs.

5.0

255 Reviews

Scottsdale Flow Irrigation LLC

3024 N 81st St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Scottsdale Flow Irrigation LLC provides irrigation and outdoor lighting services in Phoenix, AZ. They specialize in sprinkler system installation, repair, and maintenance for both residential and commercial properties. The company offers expertise in irrigation controllers with features like auto-shutoff, rain delay, and remote control, ensuring efficient water management. With over 10 years of experience serving Scottsdale and surrounding areas, Scottsdale Flow Irrigation uses high-quality materials and custom designs tailored to client needs.

5.0

202 Reviews

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Understanding Your Irrigation System Components

An automatic sprinkler system is more than just sprinkler heads popping up from the ground. It's a coordinated network of parts working together. The controller acts as the system's brain, sending electrical signals to start and stop watering cycles on a set schedule ¹. These signals travel to solenoid valves, which open and close to allow pressurized water to flow to specific zones ². From there, water travels through a network of underground piping to reach the delivery points ³.

The most visible parts are the heads or emitters that deliver water to the landscape. For turf areas, these are typically spray heads or rotating rotors that cover a larger area ⁴. For trees, shrubs, and flower beds, drip irrigation systems use bubblers or drip emitters that apply water slowly and directly to the root zone, minimizing evaporation and runoff ⁵. A critical safety component is the backflow preventer, which protects your home's potable water supply from contamination by irrigation water ⁶.

The Importance of Zoning and Smart Technology

Efficient watering in Tempe isn't about watering everything the same way. It's about zoning. A properly designed system will have separate zones for turf, trees, shrubs, and ground cover, each with different water requirements ¹. A zone might also be divided based on sun exposure, as a sunny south-facing slope will dry out faster than a shaded north-facing bed.

This is where smart irrigation controllers become invaluable, especially in Arizona. These advanced devices do more than just run on a timer. They can adjust watering schedules automatically based on local weather data, including temperature, humidity, wind, and solar radiation (a measure known as evapotranspiration or ET) ⁷. By skipping a cycle after a rainstorm or reducing runtime during a cool spell, a smart controller prevents overwatering, which is as damaging as underwatering in our clay-heavy soils ⁸.

Watering Guidelines for the Tempe Climate

The desert environment demands a specific approach to landscape watering. The general rule is to aim for about one inch of water per week for established landscapes, applying it less frequently to encourage deep root growth ^{1 9}. Deep, infrequent watering trains roots to grow downward, making plants more resilient to heat and drought ¹⁰.

Schedules must change with the seasons:

• Summer (90°F+): Water 3 to 4 times per week. Run times will vary by head type, but zones may need 20-30 minutes to deliver the needed water ^{11 12}.
• Spring/Fall: Reduce to 2-3 times per week.
• Winter: Water only 1-2 times per week, as plant growth slows and evaporation rates drop.

The time of day you water is crucial. The best time is early morning, before 10 a.m. ¹. Watering at this time minimizes loss to wind and evaporation, allows foliage to dry before nightfall (reducing disease risk), and ensures good water pressure.

Installation and Repair Considerations

Installing a new in-ground sprinkler system is a significant investment that varies widely in cost. A simple drip system for a few shrubs may cost a few hundred dollars, while a full, multi-zone system for a large yard with a smart controller can run several thousand dollars ^{1 7}. Key factors influencing price include the size of the property, the complexity of the layout, the types of plants being watered, the quality of components, and local labor rates.

The installation process typically involves trenching for pipes, installing the backflow preventer, wiring the controller to the valves, and placing heads or drip lines precisely. Professional installers will perform a thorough site analysis to create an efficient, code-compliant design ³.

Even the best systems need occasional maintenance. Common repairs include fixing clogged sprinkler heads, replacing broken spray nozzles, or repairing a leaking valve. Minor fixes might range from $100 to $250, while more complex issues like a faulty controller or a major pipe leak underground will cost more ¹. Regular seasonal check-ups-like starting up the system in spring and winterizing it in fall-can help catch small problems before they become expensive.

Maximizing Efficiency for Desert Landscapes

In Tempe, water efficiency isn't just a good idea; it's a community responsibility. Leveraging technology is key. A smart irrigation controller is one of the best upgrades for existing systems, as it automatically applies water based on actual plant needs and weather conditions ⁷.

For non-turf areas, converting to drip irrigation is highly recommended. Drip systems apply water slowly at the soil surface or root zone, reducing evaporation loss and preventing water from being wasted on non-plant areas ⁵. They are ideal for trees, shrubs, and garden beds.

Finally, don't forget to utilize local resources. The City of Tempe offers specific landscape watering tips and conservation guidelines tailored to our local environment ¹. Adopting these practices ensures your landscape thrives while supporting the sustainability of our water supply.

Frequently asked questions

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