Get Your Sprinklers Summer-Ready in the Inland Empire

Summer is when your sprinkler system works hardest — and when failures hurt the most. A little preparation before the Inland Empire heat arrives keeps your landscape alive and your water bill in check. Here's how to get your sprinklers summer-ready.

Inspect and repair first

Run every zone and look for broken or clogged heads, misting, overspray, soggy spots, and dry areas. Fix these now — a broken head or leak that's a minor issue in spring becomes a dead lawn in a July heat wave. Clean nozzles and filters and flush drip lines.

Optimize the schedule for heat

Water before dawn (around 4–8 a.m.) to minimize evaporation.
Use cycle-and-soak so clay soil absorbs water instead of running off.
Water deeply and less often to build heat-tolerant roots.
Increase runtimes gradually as temperatures climb, not all at once.

Check coverage carefully

Summer exposes every weak spot. Make sure every head reaches its neighbors (head-to-head coverage) so there are no dry gaps that will brown out in the heat. A catch-cup test reveals uneven zones.

Consider efficiency upgrades

Before summer is a smart time to add a weather-based controller, convert beds to drip, or install high-efficiency nozzles. They keep plants healthier through the heat and cut the higher summer water bills — and may qualify for rebates.

Don't forget the trees

In extreme heat, even established trees benefit from a deep soak. Make sure your system (or a hose) can deliver water to the root zones of valuable trees. Our irrigation team can ready your whole system for summer.

Frequently asked questions

How should I change my sprinkler schedule for summer?

Water deeply before dawn, use cycle-and-soak on clay, and increase runtimes gradually as it heats up — or let a smart controller adjust automatically.

When should I prep sprinklers for summer?

Late spring, before the first heat waves, so any repairs are done before the system is under maximum demand.

Arbol Roble has cared for Inland Empire landscapes since 1997, serving Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana, Eastvale, Corona and Riverside. Request a free quote or browse our residential and commercial services.