Build a sprinkler system that supports a healthier landscape—without wasting water
In the San Antonio area, sprinkler system installation isn’t just about convenience—it’s about designing a system that matches heat, soil conditions, plant needs, and local watering rules. A well-planned irrigation layout can reduce runoff, prevent dry spots, protect your foundation from overwatering near the home, and make it easier to stay compliant during drought stages. This guide walks through what matters most (design, zones, components, scheduling, and backflow protection) so you can make confident decisions before installing or upgrading your system.
What “good” sprinkler installation looks like in South Texas
The best-performing systems in San Antonio, Boerne, Stone Oak, The Dominion, and surrounding neighborhoods share a few traits: they’re zoned logically, they apply water evenly, and they’re easy to adjust as seasons change. The goal is to apply the least amount of water needed to keep turf and plants healthy—while avoiding overspray onto hardscapes and runoff into the street (which is considered water waste). San Antonio Water System (SAWS) rules also require landscape watering to occur during allowed hours and can shift significantly during drought stages.
Planning your sprinkler system: design decisions that affect results (and your water bill)
Before trenching or picking heads, the design phase determines whether the system will be efficient for years—or constantly need repairs and rework. Key planning items include:
- Water pressure & flow: Your available flow (GPM) and pressure dictate how many heads can run per zone and what nozzles are appropriate.
- Soil & slope: Many local yards include clay soils and grade changes. This impacts soak-in rate and the risk of runoff. Design should support short-cycle watering (cycle/soak) where needed.
- Plant type & sun exposure: Turf in full sun needs a different schedule than shaded beds with shrubs or native plants.
- Head-to-head coverage: Sprinkler spacing should deliver uniform coverage so you don’t have to “overwater to reach the dry spots.”
- Room for future landscaping: If you plan hardscaping, new beds, or outdoor living spaces, it’s smart to anticipate sleeves under walkways and dedicated zones for additions.
If you’re pairing irrigation with a larger outdoor upgrade, it often helps to start with a professional plan. You can explore design support through our Landscape Design Services so irrigation, plantings, and hardscape features work together from day one.
Smart zoning: the easiest way to improve efficiency
Zoning is where most “average” systems become either excellent or frustrating. A water-efficient system groups areas with similar needs into the same zone (often called “hydrozones”). The biggest rule: don’t mix sprinklers and drip on the same zone, and don’t mix turf with low-water beds.
Common zone layout for San Antonio properties
- Front lawn (spray/rotors): Dedicated turf zone(s), tuned for sun exposure and slope
- Back lawn (spray/rotors): Separate from front so schedules can differ
- Foundation beds (drip): Lower volume, targeted watering near the home
- Trees (bubblers/drip): Deep watering schedule (less frequent, longer soak)
- Sunny native/perennial bed (drip): Minimal watering once established
If you’re transitioning to a more drought-tolerant landscape, using region-appropriate plants reduces irrigation demand dramatically. See options on our Texas Native Plants page for ideas that fit South Texas heat.
Step-by-step: what to expect during sprinkler system installation
1) Site walk & irrigation plan
A good installer maps turf, beds, trees, slopes, sun/shade, and existing utilities. This is where head locations, pipe sizing, valve placement, and zone count are decided.
2) Trenching & sleeve placement
Trenches are cut for lateral lines and the mainline. Sleeves under sidewalks/driveways prevent future digging if you add zones or lighting later.
3) Valves, manifolds, and wiring
Valves are grouped for service access and connected to controller wiring. Clean layout here makes future troubleshooting much easier.
4) Heads/nozzles matched to the zone
Rotors, sprays, MP-style nozzles, drip emitters, and bubblers each serve different needs. Matching precipitation rates reduces dry rings and soggy areas.
5) Pressure regulation, filtration (for drip), and final adjustments
Drip zones should include filtration and pressure regulation. Final tuning includes arc adjustments, leveling heads, and verifying even distribution.
6) Controller setup and a seasonal schedule
Efficient systems are adjusted seasonally. The U.S. EPA’s WaterSense program recommends adjusting schedules with seasonal changes and inspecting systems monthly for leaks, broken heads, and coverage issues.
If you need repairs, upgrades, or a new system, visit our Irrigation Services page for installation and repair support in the Boerne–San Antonio area.
Backflow prevention: protect your water supply (and avoid headaches)
Irrigation systems connect outdoor piping, soil, and sometimes fertilizers to your potable water supply—so backflow protection is a big deal. Texas irrigation rules include specific requirements for cross-connection control. For example, if chemicals are added to an irrigation system connected to potable water, the system must be connected through a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly (RP) or an air gap. Proper installation also requires sufficient clearance for testing, and RP devices have placement considerations (such as being installed above ground and not in a location where the assembly can be submerged).
If your property needs a new device, replacement, or testing coordination, our team can help through Backflow Prevention Services.
Comparison table: spray vs. rotor vs. drip (what fits your yard?)
| Irrigation Type | Best For | Pros | Watch Outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spray heads | Small turf areas, narrow strips | Good coverage in tight spaces | Can create runoff on slopes/clay if run too long |
| Rotors | Larger lawns, open turf zones | Efficient for larger areas; less misting in wind | Needs correct spacing; mixed rotor sizes can lead to uneven watering |
| Drip irrigation | Beds, shrubs, trees, natives | Targets root zone; reduces overspray and evaporation | Requires filtration/pressure regulation; needs occasional inspection for breaks/clogs |
Local San Antonio watering rules: design with compliance in mind
SAWS watering rules can shift between year-round rules and drought stages. Under year-round rules (when not in drought stages), sprinkler watering is allowed during specific evening and morning hours, and water waste (like runoff into the street) is prohibited. During drought stages, irrigation can be limited to once per week on a designated watering day, with drip often allowed on additional days depending on the stage.
Practical takeaway: a system that can separate drip zones from turf zones, supports cycle/soak, and uses high-uniformity nozzles makes it much easier to stay within watering windows while keeping landscapes healthy.
Ready to plan your sprinkler system installation in San Antonio?
Whether you’re installing a new system, updating an older controller, or fixing coverage issues that waste water, Blades of Glory Landscaping can help you build an irrigation setup that matches your property and local conditions.
Tip: If you’re also planning new beds, edging, or hardscape, mention it in your request so we can coordinate irrigation sleeves and zone placement early.
FAQ: Sprinkler system installation in San Antonio, TX
How many zones does a typical San Antonio home need?
Many homes end up with separate zones for front turf, back turf, and at least one drip zone for beds—often more if the property has different sun exposures, slopes, or multiple planting areas. The right count depends on water pressure/flow and how your landscape is laid out.
Is drip irrigation better than sprinklers?
Drip is usually best for beds, shrubs, trees, and native plants because it waters the root zone with less overspray. Sprinklers (sprays/rotors) are typically better for turf coverage. Most efficient landscapes use both—on separate zones.
Do I need backflow prevention on an irrigation system?
Backflow protection is a key safety feature for irrigation connected to potable water. Texas rules include specific requirements for systems where chemicals are introduced and for certain cross-connection scenarios. A licensed professional can identify what your setup requires and ensure it’s installed in a testable, code-compliant way.
Why do I get dry spots even though the system runs regularly?
Common causes include mismatched nozzles, poor head spacing, clogged or tilted heads, pressure issues, or zones that mix different watering needs. A coverage check and zone tune-up usually solves this faster (and cheaper) than increasing run times.
Should I install a smart (weather-based) irrigation controller?
A weather-based controller can automatically adjust watering based on weather/landscape data, which helps avoid “set it and forget it” overwatering. It’s especially helpful when seasonal needs change quickly in South Texas.
Can you install irrigation if I’m also doing sod installation?
Yes—irrigation is often installed or repaired before new sod goes down so the lawn can establish properly. If you’re planning a new lawn, see our Sod Installation service page and coordinate timing so watering is dialed in from week one.
Glossary (helpful irrigation terms)
Backflow: Unwanted reverse flow of water that can pull contaminants into the potable water supply.
RP (Reduced Pressure Principle) assembly: A type of backflow prevention device used when a higher health hazard exists, commonly required in specific irrigation scenarios.
Hydrozone: An irrigation zone that groups plants with similar water needs (for example, a shaded shrub bed vs. sunny turf).
Cycle/soak: A watering method that breaks runtime into shorter cycles with soak periods between, helping reduce runoff on clay soils or slopes.
Head-to-head coverage: Sprinkler layout principle where water from one head reaches the next head, improving uniformity and reducing dry spots.
