Short answer: run every zone yourself in the first weeks, watch for dry spots and runoff, and plan on adjustments as the soil settles and the sod roots in. The system the builder left is rarely tuned to your yard. Our minimum service call is $95, and our spring start-up is $175–$225.
What a new-build system usually is
Many new homes in Gwinnett come with an irrigation system from the builder. It was installed fast, often by a crew working across many lots, and tested only to see that water came out. Zones are set up for the general layout, not your sun, soil or slope. And the yard it waters is brand new: fresh sod, loose fill over compacted clay and young plants.
That gap between “it runs” and “it works” is where first-year trouble lives.
The first-year checklist
- Find the controller, the main shutoff and the backflow preventer. Learn where each is.
- Run every zone by hand, one at a time, and watch each head.
- Look for heads that are buried, tilted or spraying a wall, a driveway or the street.
- Check for gaps. Dry patches in a new lawn are usually a coverage problem.
- Check for soggy spots, which mean a leak, a leaking valve or a head that does not stop.
- Set a schedule for new sod. It needs frequent, light water at first, then less often and deeper.
- Test the rain sensor if you have one.
- Walk it again after the first big rain to see where water pools.
What changes over the year
| Time | What is going on | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| First weeks | Sod has no roots yet | Frequent, light watering |
| After rooting | Roots reach into soil | Fewer, deeper cycles |
| First summer | Heat stress, clay baked hard | Check coverage and runoff |
| After first rain season | Soil settles, heads sink | Reset heads |
| First freeze | Exposed parts at risk | Winterize |
| The following spring | System wakes up | Start-up and test |
Why settling matters
Fill dirt around a new home compacts and sinks over the first seasons. Heads that were flush with the sod can end up high or low. A head that sinks gets buried in grass and sprays poorly. One that rises catches mowers. Lines can shift too. Clay holds water in some places and sheds it in others, so wet and dry spots show up that were not there on day one.
What a smart controller does
A builder’s controller is often basic. A standard controller starts from $425, a battery controller from $475 and a smart controller from $575. A rain sensor starts from $425. Smart controllers and rain sensors water only when needed, which helps in a first year when you are learning what the lawn wants. Remember, Georgia allows outdoor watering between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m., and newly installed sod is exempt for 30 days after planting. Check your water provider for drought limits.
What a crew adds
We look at each zone, adjust heads, and tell you what is wrong before we fix it. Each zone is designed around your soil and slope, and if the original layout has gaps, we can add heads or a zone. A full system starts from $3,500 when the original is not worth saving. Valve replacement is $275–$1,200, and locating a buried valve starts from $185.
Keep a short log
In the first year, a one-page log is surprisingly useful. Note the date you ran each zone, what you saw, what you changed and when it rained. When something goes wrong, you can tell us whether the issue is new or has been there since the start. It also helps you spot trends: the zone that always floods, the head that always sinks. We read what the system is doing and match it to your notes before we change anything.
When to call us
Call when a new lawn has dry or soggy spots, when heads are buried or the controller is a mystery. We offer same-day service, answer day and night, and are family-owned, licensed and insured. We serve Lawrenceville, Duluth, Suwanee, Buford, Dacula and the rest of the area. See sprinkler repair and the installation page.
FAQ
How often should I water new sod? Often and lightly at first, then less often and deeper once roots form.
Why is my new lawn patchy? Often coverage gaps, buried heads or soil that sheds water.
Do I need to winterize a new system? In Georgia, exposed parts can be damaged by hard freezes. Winterization is $95–$120.
Can the builder’s controller be upgraded? Yes. Smart controllers start from $575.
Prices from our price list. Updated October 2026. Watering rules: Georgia EPD, epd.georgia.gov/watershed-protection-branch/water-conservation.