Field Notes

Clay takes water slowly, so one long run mostly ends up in the street. Split each zone into two or three short cycles about an hour apart. It soaks in, and it keeps you clear of runoff violations.

Usually a clogged or tilted head, a zone with low pressure from a leak, or heads never spaced to reach that spot. A zone-by-zone check finds it in under an hour.

Test them every season and plan on new sensor discs and batteries about every two years. Replace the sensor any time the system runs in the rain or below freezing.

Yes. McKinney requires a rain and freeze sensor on irrigation systems installed on or after June 1, 2005, and Texas rules require a rain or moisture shut-off device on new systems.

Usually a failed valve solenoid, a cut or loose wire, or debris in the valve. Less often the zone was simply left out of the controller program. One zone dead while the others run points to that zone's valve or wiring.

Look for a soggy or extra-green spot, a water bill that jumps without a reason, a zone with weak spray, or water bubbling from a head after the system shuts off. Your water meter can confirm it.

Usually large patch, often called brown patch: a fungus that shows up as circular brown areas with yellow-orange edges when temperatures drop below about 70 degrees. Overwatering makes it worse.

Late spring through summer, when warm-season grasses like Bermuda, St. Augustine, and zoysia are actively growing and root fastest. Early fall works too if the sod has about six weeks to root before the first frost.

Yes. Common-area irrigation follows the same city watering rules as homes, and fines go to the water account holder, which is usually the association. McKinney fines run $50 to $150 per violation; Lucas fines reach $2,000.