Find the paperwork first
Ask the previous owner or property manager for controller instructions, a zone list, service notes, and any winterization record. Look for the company that last serviced the system if that information is available. Missing records are common; you can still request a professional review without knowing the installation history.
Record what is safely visible
Photograph the controller label and note where it is mounted. Make a rough map of visible sprinkler heads and garden watering areas. Identify the irrigation shutoff only if it is clearly labeled and familiar. Do not operate unknown valves or investigate electrical wiring just to complete the inventory.
Confirm the seasonal status
If you move in during fall or winter, ask whether the system was actually winterized and when. An off controller is not proof that the required water-removal work was done. Rain Bird describes shutdown, drainage, and exposed-component protection as separate considerations. If the status is uncertain, discuss it with a service provider before operating the system.
Learn the normal controls
During a service visit, ask how to pause watering, find the zone list, and recognize a visible leak. If there is an app, arrange access through the appropriate account holder rather than relying on an unknown saved password. Keep useful instructions with the home’s maintenance records.
Build a simple annual plan
Plan an appropriate spring opening, review performance during the growing season, and arrange winterization before freezing conditions. Check your water supplier’s current rules when setting schedules. Three Village Sprinklers can discuss seasonal care for your particular property; a request alone does not create a recurring subscription.
Further reading
Rain Bird: preparing irrigation for winter ↗Check current supplier and manufacturer guidance for your system.
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