Your sprinkler system’s low water pressure traces back to one of six causes. Here in Central Texas, Stage 2 drought restrictions mean your system needs to perform at full pressure every time it runs, and any shortfall shows up fast as dry patches and uneven coverage.

What Causes Low Water Pressure in Sprinkler Systems?

Most low-pressure problems in your irrigation system trace back to one of six root causes. Before diagnosing, it helps to know what pressure your system actually needs:

With that in mind, here are a few common problems we see:

• Backflow Preventer Valve Not Fully Open: If the handles aren’t parallel to the pipe, flow is restricted before water ever reaches your heads.
• Shut-Off or Main Water Valve Partially Closed: If either valve was closed for maintenance and not fully reopened, your entire system will run at reduced pressure. Check both the irrigation shut-off and the main water valve at the meter.
• Clogged or Dirty Sprinkler Heads: Central Texas has notoriously hard water. The calcium and mineral deposits it leaves behind gradually choke off flow at the nozzle. Cleaning or replacing nozzle filters is often all it takes to restore normal output.
• Water Line Leak or Break: A leak diverts water before it reaches your heads. Leaks aren’t always visible at the surface, especially in older systems where pipes run deep.
• Pipe Obstruction from Tree Roots: In established Austin neighborhoods, mature trees have had decades to grow into the soil around irrigation lines. Roots can crush or crack pipes, creating restrictions that steadily reduce system pressure.
• Municipal Supply Pressure Drop: Austin Water’s supply pressure drops during summer peak hours when thousands of irrigation systems run simultaneously. If your system runs during the early-morning window under Stage 2 restrictions, you may be hitting peak demand every time it cycles.

Why Pick Sprinkler Medics for Your Sprinkler Pressure Repair in Austin?

If the basic checks haven’t solved it, you need a team that knows Central Texas irrigation and has the tools to get to the right answer fast.

• Veteran-Owned: We bring the same discipline and attention to detail to your irrigation system that we brought to our service. When we assess your system, we work through it completely.
• Giving Back: A portion of every job goes back into the Austin community, because taking care of this city means more than just green lawns.
• NDS Certified: Our team holds NDS certification in drainage and irrigation, a higher standard of technical training than most Austin irrigation companies carry.
• 9 Stars on Google: Homeowners across Austin consistently tell us same-day response was exactly what they needed.
• Free Estimates: You’ll know exactly what the problem is and what it costs to fix before any work begins.

Call Sprinkler Medics at 512-710-7274 to schedule your free estimate.

How to Fix Low Sprinkler Water Pressure in Austin, TX

Some of these you can handle yourself. Others need a pro.

DIY Fixes to Try First

• Fully Open the Backflow Preventer Handles: Both handles should sit parallel to the pipe when the valve is fully open. If either handle is turned at an angle, rotate it until it’s parallel and retest your system pressure.
• Open the Shut-Off Valve and Main Water Valve Completely: Find the dedicated shut-off valve for your irrigation system and confirm it’s fully open. Do the same with the main water valve at the meter. A valve that’s even partially closed can produce a significant pressure drop.
• Clean or Replace Clogged Sprinkler Heads and Nozzle Filters: Remove each underperforming head and rinse the nozzle and filter screen under running water. Hard-water mineral deposits build up quickly in Central Texas. If cleaning doesn’t restore normal spray, replacing the nozzle filter is inexpensive and usually solves the problem.
• Trim Grass and Debris Away from Sprinkler Head Bases: Overgrown grass can prevent a head from popping up to full height, reducing spray distance and coverage. Clear the area around each head so it extends fully when the zone runs.

If these steps don’t restore normal pressure, the problem requires professional diagnosis.

When to Call a Professional

• Water Line Leak or Break Repair: If your water meter shows movement with everything turned off, you have a leak somewhere in your system. Locating and repairing a buried water line requires professional equipment, and leaving it unaddressed drives up your water bill and can undermine your yard over time.
• Tree Root Pipe Rerouting: Once a root has cracked or compressed a pipe, the affected section needs to be excavated and rerouted. This is one of the most common repair calls we get in established Austin neighborhoods.
• Solenoid Valve Replacement: A solenoid valve that isn’t opening fully will starve the zone it controls of both flow and pressure. Low pressure in one zone with normal pressure everywhere else points directly here.

Other repairs, including booster pump installation, zone reconfiguration, and PRV replacement, require the same professional assessment. Austin Water offers a rebate program for qualifying PRV replacements that can meaningfully reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Austin’s Stage 2 drought restrictions, outlined in Austin City Code Chapter 6-4, limit when and how long you can run your system. A pressure problem that forces longer run times can put you out of compliance without you realizing it.

Preventive Maintenance Tips to Avoid Sprinkler Pressure Problems

Consistent maintenance prevents most pressure problems before they require a service call. Here’s what to add to your seasonal routine:

• Spring Startup Inspection: Before your first run after winter, walk every zone and check for freeze-damaged heads, valves that weren’t fully reopened after winterization, and any visible surface pipe damage. Catching these in spring means you’re not discovering them mid-July when your lawn is already stressed.
• Clean Sprinkler Heads and Nozzle Filters Seasonally: Hard-water mineral buildup in Central Texas makes once-a-year cleaning the minimum. If you have older heads or particularly hard water in your area, clean at both spring startup and mid-summer to keep flow rates consistent through peak irrigation season.
• Monitor Water Bills for Unexpected Spikes: A steady upward trend in summer water usage often points to a slow leak or a zone running longer than scheduled. Reviewing your usage against the same period from the prior year catches gradual increases that a single-month comparison misses.
• Winterize Before Freeze Events: Austin’s winters are unpredictable. A hard freeze cracks pipes, splits fittings, and damages valve components if water is still sitting in your lines. Getting winterization done before the first significant freeze prevents the kind of underground damage that shows up as pressure problems the following spring.

We offer seasonal maintenance membership plans so these inspections happen on schedule without you having to track them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Low Sprinkler Water Pressure

Can a Faulty Sprinkler Solenoid Cause Low Water Pressure?

Yes. When a solenoid valve fails to open fully, it restricts water flow into the zone it controls. Low pressure in one zone with normal pressure everywhere else points directly to the zone valve or solenoid.

Why Do My Sprinklers Have Low Pressure in the Morning?

The most likely cause is a municipal pressure drop during the early-morning peak demand window, when a large share of Austin’s irrigation systems run simultaneously under Stage 2 schedules. If your system consistently underperforms during its scheduled run time, checking whether that window falls during peak demand hours is a good first step.

Will a Booster Pump Fix Low Sprinkler Water Pressure?

A booster pump is the right fix when the problem is chronic low municipal supply pressure or elevation-related pressure loss on hilly Austin terrain. It isn’t the right fix for a leak, a closed valve, or a clogged head. Those problems need to be addressed directly. A pump won’t compensate for water being lost underground or blocked at the nozzle.

Get Your Austin Sprinkler System Running at Full Pressure

An underperforming irrigation system in Austin’s summer heat means brown patches, wasted water, and potential compliance issues under Stage 2 drought restrictions. Sprinkler Medics brings NDS certification, veteran-owned values, free estimates, and experience across more than 1,000 Austin-area homes to every pressure diagnosis and repair job we take on. We serve homeowners across Austin, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Leander, Hutto, Manor, Liberty Hill, Taylor, and Jarrell.

Ready for reliable irrigation service from a veteran-owned team you can trust? Call Sprinkler Medics of Austin today at 512-710-7274 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation.

Standing water that lingers in your yard after rain is more than an inconvenience. In Austin, where clay-heavy soil absorbs water slowly and summer storms can drop several inches in an hour, persistent pooling puts your foundation at risk, creates mosquito breeding conditions, and can cause erosion damage that gets worse with every rain event.

Drainage problems in Central Texas yards come from a few common sources: poor lot grading, soil that has settled since the home was built, runoff concentrating from adjacent hardscape or neighboring properties, and in some cases, an irrigation schedule that is overwatering the lawn. Before investing in a drainage system, it helps to understand what type of problem you are dealing with and which solution actually fits your site.

At Sprinkler Medics of Austin, we install French drains, catch basins, and drainage solutions across Greater Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and surrounding communities. We are a licensed, insured, veteran-owned company that offers free estimates and designs every drainage plan around your specific yard conditions and local stormwater requirements.

What Drainage Service Is and What It Typically Includes

A good contractor starts with a site evaluation before proposing any installation, so the solution is designed for your specific site. In Austin and across Central Texas, clay-heavy soil and intense summer rain events are the conditions that most often require drainage work. The City of Austin Watershed Protection Department provides guidance on managing residential runoff. Make sure your drainage plan accounts for local stormwater requirements from the start.

What Is the Difference Between Surface Drainage and Subsurface Drainage?

Surface drainage moves water across the ground to a designated outlet using slope, channels, swales, or surface drains. Subsurface drainage collects water below ground through perforated pipe and gravel systems, like a French drain, and carries it away before it can saturate the soil above. Clay soil holds water rather than letting it percolate downward. That means subsurface solutions are often necessary even when the only visible symptom is surface pooling. Your yard may need a combination of both.

Signs Your Lawn May Need Drainage Service

The most recognizable signs include standing water, spongy turf, erosion channels, foundation pooling, and washed-out mulch. Central Texas clay soil holds water significantly longer than sandy or loam soils, so symptoms that appear minor after a light rain can signal a larger problem once a heavier storm hits. If you’re in a newer Austin neighborhood, your lot may be especially prone to this. Fill soil settles over time and creates low spots that weren’t there when your home was graded. Drainage problems can also show up in your planting beds, along fence lines, and near your downspout discharge points, so walk the full perimeter of your yard when you check after rain.

How Long Should Water Stand in a Yard Before It Becomes a Problem?

As a general rule, standing water that hasn’t cleared within 24 to 48 hours after rain is worth investigating. Clay soils percolate slowly by nature, so some surface water immediately after a heavy Central Texas storm is expected. The question is whether it clears within 24 to 48 hours. If you see standing water after a watering cycle rather than a rain event, your irrigation schedule may be the problem, not your drainage. Austin Water assigns watering days based on your street address and limits automatic irrigation to one day per week. If you’re running your system more frequently than your schedule allows, you may be oversaturating soil that would drain fine under a correct schedule.

Here are the most common signs to watch for:

• Standing water that lingers more than 24 to 48 hours after rain: water that clears within a day is often normal for clay soil; water that persists points to a slope or capacity problem
• Spongy or saturated turf: soil that feels soft and wet underfoot long after rain suggests poor percolation or a low spot collecting runoff from surrounding areas
• Erosion channels or washed-out mulch: visible channels in soil or displaced mulch after rain indicate surface water is moving too fast and concentrating in specific paths
• Water pooling near your foundation: water pooling against your foundation needs attention sooner than most drainage problems, as persistent moisture can cause long-term structural issues
• Mosquito activity in standing water: puddles in Central Texas heat become mosquito breeding grounds fast
• Washed-out beds or soil displacement along fence lines: these often indicate runoff from adjacent hardscape or neighboring lots is concentrating in your yard

Common Drainage Solutions for Austin Yards

The right solution depends on where water is entering your yard, where it needs to go, and what your soil and slope conditions allow. French drains, catch basins, and regrading each solve a different problem, and many Austin yards need more than one.

What Is a French Drain and How Does It Work?

A French drain uses a gravel-filled trench and perforated pipe to collect subsurface water and redirect it away before it saturates your soil. Two things determine whether a French drain will work: adequate slope for water to move through the pipe, and a clear outlet path for water to exit. You need more careful filter fabric selection and outlet placement here than you would in areas with sandier soil. An improperly designed French drain in clay can become saturated and stop working. Work with a contractor who knows Central Texas soil. Sprinkler Medics installs French drains across Greater Austin and can assess whether your yard’s slope and outlet options make a French drain the right call.

What Is a Catch Basin and When Is It the Right Choice?

A catch basin is an underground collection box with a grated surface inlet. When water pools on the surface, it flows through the grate into the box, and an outlet pipe carries it away. A catch basin is typically the better choice when water is pooling on the surface at a patio edge, along a driveway, or in a low spot in the turf. It targets concentrated surface water more precisely than a French drain, which is designed for subsurface saturation. In Austin yards, catch basins are commonly installed where runoff from driveways, patios, or roof downspouts collects in a low spot. Your contractor needs to plan the outlet carefully because City of Austin stormwater rules govern where that water can go.

When Does Regrading Solve Drainage Issues Better Than Drains?

When water is pooling because your yard slopes toward your house or toward a low spot, correcting the grade may redirect water away without any underground installation. Many Austin-area lots were graded correctly when they were built but have settled or eroded since, particularly on lots built over compacted fill-soil conditions. Only an on-site evaluation can tell you whether regrading is enough or whether you also need a drain, because clay-soil compaction or subsurface saturation may also be a factor. Sprinkler Medics offers landscaping services alongside drainage work, so regrading and drainage installation can be handled in a single project.

What to Expect From a Drainage Evaluation and Installation

How Do Pros Diagnose Drainage Problems in Central Texas Clay Soil?

In clay-heavy soils like those common across Travis County and Williamson County, water moves laterally across the soil surface rather than percolating straight down. That means drain placement needs to account for where water is traveling, not just where it is pooling. A professional site evaluation typically involves observing where water enters, pools, and exits; assessing existing slope and grade; identifying outlet paths; and noting soil type, compaction, and any fill soil that may be contributing to the problem. Sprinkler Medics has worked across Austin-area neighborhoods long enough to recognize the patterns that show up specifically in this region’s soil and topography.

How Do Watering Rules Affect Drainage and Irrigation Scheduling in Austin?

Before scheduling a drainage evaluation, check whether standing water or soggy turf appears after irrigation cycles as well as after rain. Overwatering can produce symptoms that look just like a drainage problem. Austin Water assigns watering days based on your street address. Automatic irrigation is typically limited to one day per week. If you’re running your system more frequently than your schedule allows, you may be oversaturating soil that would drain normally under a correct schedule. A professional evaluation can tell you whether the problem is drainage or irrigation scheduling. Correcting the schedule is a much simpler and less expensive fix than installing a drainage system.

Who to Hire for Drainage Work in Austin

For drainage work connected to an irrigation system, look for a contractor licensed under TCEQ’s landscape irrigation program. Texas regulates irrigation work, and you can verify licensing through the TCEQ website. Ask your contractor to explain the outlet plan before work begins. A drainage system without a clearly identified, code-compliant outlet path is a common source of failed installations. Ask your contractor to document the drainage plan, including slope grades and outlet location, before installation starts.

Before Your Drainage Evaluation

• Walk your yard within one to two hours of a significant rain event and note where water is pooling or sheeting
• Check your downspout discharge points and note whether water from the roof is spreading away from your foundation or pooling against it
• Identify any visible erosion channels or areas where soil or mulch has been displaced
• Note whether water is standing on turf, in beds, near hardscape edges, or in multiple locations
• Return 24 to 48 hours later and note which areas have cleared and which still show standing water or saturated soil
• Check whether soggy areas correspond to irrigation zones and note whether symptoms appear after watering cycles rather than rain

FAQs About Yard Drainage

Do French Drains Work in Austin Clay Soil?

Yes, French drains can work effectively in Austin clay soil, but design matters more here than in areas with sandier or loamier soil. Two factors determine whether the system will hold up over time in Central Texas: filter fabric selection, which prevents clay particles from migrating into the gravel and clogging the pipe, and outlet placement, because clay’s slow percolation rate means the drain must have a clear, adequately sloped path to move water efficiently. Installing a French drain without proper fabric or outlet planning is one of the most common reasons drainage systems underperform in Central Texas. If you’re considering a French drain installation in the Austin area, Sprinkler Medics can assess your site and design a system built for local soil conditions.

Where Does the Water Go After a French Drain or Catch Basin?

A French drain or catch basin collects water and directs it through a pipe to a designated outlet. That outlet may be a street curb opening, a drainage easement, a dry creek bed, or a connection to a municipal storm drain, depending on what is available and permitted in your yard. Outlet options vary significantly by lot configuration and proximity to drainage easements. Not every yard has a straightforward discharge point, which is one of the primary reasons a site evaluation is necessary before installation. Any outlet that directs water toward streets or neighboring yards may require review under City of Austin Watershed Protection guidelines.

Schedule a Free Drainage Evaluation in Austin

Persistent standing water in a Central Texas yard does not resolve on its own. Whether the cause is clay soil that cannot drain fast enough, a lot that has settled since it was graded, or runoff concentrating from a neighboring property, the problem gets worse with every heavy rain event. The right solution depends on where the water is coming from and where it has a clear path to go.

Before any installation begins, a site evaluation will tell you whether you need a French drain, a catch basin, regrading, or a corrected irrigation schedule. That last option costs nothing to fix and is worth ruling out first.

Sprinkler Medics of Austin is a licensed, insured, veteran-owned company installing drainage solutions across Greater Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and the surrounding area. Ready for reliable drainage service from a veteran-owned team you can trust? Reach out to Sprinkler Medics of Austin today for a free estimate.

A sprinkler system installation in Austin typically runs between $4,250 and $6,500 for an average suburban yard, though that number moves in both directions depending on zone count, soil conditions, and the equipment your installer specifies. Knowing what drives the price before you call for quotes helps you compare bids accurately and avoid surprises when the final invoice arrives.

In Central Texas, a few regional factors push costs outside the national averages you’ll find on home improvement websites. Caliche rock and dense clay soil slow trenching. Austin’s one-day-per-week watering schedule means your system needs to be designed efficiently from the start, which affects zone count and equipment selection. Those details show up in your estimate whether or not the contractor explains them.

At Sprinkler Medics of Austin, we are a licensed, insured, veteran-owned team serving Greater Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and the surrounding area. We offer free estimates, put every scope in writing, and design every system around your specific yard conditions and Austin Water’s current schedule requirements.

Austin Sprinkler System Installation Cost Ranges

In the Austin market, each irrigation zone typically adds $500 to $900 to the total installation cost, depending on which equipment you choose and the complexity of the area it covers. Zone count is the single biggest driver of your overall project price, since every zone means another solenoid valve, more pipe, more wiring, and more labor. In Central Texas, where yards often combine St. Augustine turf with flower beds and native plantings, you may need more zones than a national average would suggest.

What Drives the Price in Central Texas (Zones, Yard Size, Pressure, Soil, Equipment)

Several variables affect what you’ll pay for a sprinkler system in Central Texas, and some of them are specific to this region.

• Zone count is the single biggest driver of total cost. More zones mean more valves, more pipe, more wiring, and more labor.
• Your yard’s size and layout matter too. Irregular lot shapes, slopes, and multiple irrigated areas add complexity and cost.
• Your installer will size each zone to your available water pressure. Low pressure or a small meter may require additional pressure-regulation hardware.
• Soil conditions affect labor time. Rocky caliche or dense clay, both common across Central Texas, can slow trenching considerably.
• The equipment you choose affects your final number. Smart controllers, high-efficiency rotary nozzles, drip zones for beds, and rain and freeze sensors all improve performance but add to the upfront cost.

Two of those factors deserve a closer look: zone count and soil conditions.

How Many Zones Do I Need for My Yard and Why Does That Change Cost?

Most residential yards in Austin require somewhere between five to eight irrigation zones, though that number depends on the size, variety, and layout of what you’re watering.

Cost Breakdown: Materials, Labor, Permits, and Backflow Protection

A professional sprinkler installation quote in Austin will generally cover several categories of cost, and knowing what each one includes helps you compare bids with confidence. Here’s what you should expect to see.

What Parts Are Included in a Typical Sprinkler Installation Quote?

Your quote will typically include the following components:

• Your irrigation controller programs which zones water, when, and for how long. Smart controllers like Rachio or Rain Bird can also auto-adjust based on weather.
• The valve manifold houses each zone’s solenoid valve, which opens and closes water flow to that zone on schedule.
• Mainline pipe carries water from the source to the manifold; lateral lines branch out from there to each zone’s sprinkler heads.
• Your installer will select the right heads for each area: pop-up spray heads for turf, gear-driven rotors or rotary nozzles for larger zones, and drip emitters or dripline for planting beds.
• A rain and freeze sensor prevents the system from running during rain or freezing temperatures. Texas recommends or requires this on every system.
• A backflow prevention assembly protects your drinking water from contamination. Most Texas water providers require it.
• Trenching and restoration covers the labor to dig pipe trenches and restore your lawn surface afterward. This is typically the largest labor cost in the project.
• Low-voltage wiring connects the controller to each zone valve.

Do I Need Backflow Prevention for an Irrigation System in Texas?

Yes, you do. Texas requires a backflow prevention assembly on all landscape irrigation systems to protect the public water supply. When irrigation water flows back into your drinking water lines, it can cause contamination. That’s what a cross-connection is, and it’s why both Austin Water and the state require backflow protection under Texas state rules (30 TAC Chapter 344). The two most common assembly types are a double check assembly (DCA), which works well for most residential installations, and a reduced pressure zone assembly (RPZ), which your water provider requires in certain situations. Your licensed irrigator can confirm which type applies to your property.

Several upgrades can raise an initial quote. Here’s what to expect if you choose to add them.

Costs vary by system size, brand, and site conditions. Ask your installer to itemize upgrades separately so you can compare options.

How Austin Watering Rules Can Affect System Design and Cost

Austin’s watering schedule directly shapes how your system should be designed. If your system isn’t built to cover your yard efficiently within your assigned window, you’ll end up with dry spots or the temptation to water outside your schedule.

Can a Smart Controller Help with Austin Watering Schedules?

Given Austin’s one-day limit, a smart controller earns its cost quickly. A device like Rachio adjusts run times based on recent rainfall, current temperatures, and seasonal factors, helping your system make the most of that single window without over- or under-watering. Over time, that efficiency can offset some of the upfront investment through lower water bills. To confirm your assigned watering day and review current schedule rules, visit Austin Water’s website directly.

FAQs About Sprinkler System Installation Costs

What Is the Cheapest Way to Install Lawn Irrigation?

Drip irrigation for planting beds combined with a simple timer-based spray system for turf is often the most budget-friendly starting point. You can also reduce overall project cost by bundling irrigation work with an existing landscaping or sod project, since the ground is already being disturbed. In Texas, full in-ground irrigation installation requires a licensed irrigator under TCEQ rules, so bids that seem unusually low are worth questioning carefully before you commit.

Is It Cheaper to Install Sprinklers During Landscaping or Sod Replacement?

Yes, bundling irrigation installation with an active landscaping or sod project typically reduces the overall cost. When the ground is already being disturbed for grading or sod prep, trenching and restoration become less time-intensive, and you avoid a separate mobilization charge for the irrigation crew. If you’re planning a sod installation or landscape redesign, ask about combining it with irrigation work. Sprinkler Medics handles both, so you can get everything done in a single project without coordinating multiple contractors.

Get a Free Sprinkler Installation Estimate in Austin

Sprinkler system installation in Austin runs between $4,250 and $8,000 for most suburban yards, but the number that matters is the one built around your specific property. Zone count, soil conditions, equipment selection, and how well the system is designed for Austin’s one-day watering schedule all shift that figure in ways a national average cannot account for.

Getting an accurate price means calling a licensed irrigator who will walk your yard, assess your water pressure, and put a written scope in front of you before any work begins. A bid that skips that process is not a comparable estimate.

At Sprinkler Medics of Austin, we are a TCEQ-licensed, veteran-owned irrigation company serving Greater Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and the surrounding area. Ready for reliable sprinkler installation from a veteran-owned team you can trust? Reach out to Sprinkler Medics of Austin today for a free estimate.

Choosing the wrong sprinkler head for your yard means brown spots that don’t respond to longer run times, runoff pooling at the curb before your cycle finishes, and water wasted on the one day per week Austin Water allows you to run your system. The head type determines how fast water hits the ground, how far it reaches, and whether your soil can actually absorb it before it runs off.

In Central Texas, that last point matters more than most homeowners realize. Austin’s clay-heavy soil absorbs water at roughly 0.2 to 0.5 inches per hour. Spray heads apply water at 1.5 to 2 inches per hour. Rotary nozzles apply water at 0.4 inches per hour. Those numbers explain why two systems with identical run times produce completely different results depending on what’s sitting on top of the pop-up body.

Spray heads, rotors, and rotary nozzles each serve different zone sizes, soil conditions, and coverage needs. The table below shows how they compare across the factors that matter most for Austin lawns.

What Are Spray Heads, Rotors, and Rotary Nozzles?

All three head types work on different principles, cover different areas, and suit different yard conditions. Here is what each one actually does.

What Is a Spray Sprinkler Head and Where Does It Work Best?

A spray sprinkler head delivers a fixed, fan-shaped spray pattern that does not rotate, covering areas from roughly 5 to 15 feet in radius depending on the nozzle installed. The nozzle is interchangeable, which means the same pop-up body can accept different coverage arcs, and spray heads apply water at 1.5 to 2 inches per hour — a rate that gets moisture to the root zone fast and keeps your run times short.

Spray heads perform best at 25 to 30 PSI. Above that range, the spray pattern mists rather than throws, reducing coverage and wasting water. Most spray heads use a pop-up body that retracts below grade when not running, though shrub risers are available for raised-bed applications where pop-up height is not sufficient.

If your zone is small, Austin Water’s one-day-per-week schedule works in your favor. Higher application rates mean spray zones reach their target moisture depth faster, which suits restricted watering windows when the irrigated area is small and the water has somewhere to go without running off.

What Is a Rotor Head, and How Is It Different From a Rotary Nozzle?

A gear-driven rotor uses an internal turbine mechanism to rotate a single stream of water back and forth across a wide arc, covering 25 to 65 feet in radius at a precipitation rate of 0.4 to 0.8 inches per hour. Rotors run at 25 to 65 PSI depending on the model, and because the application rate is lower, your rotor zones will need significantly longer run times than spray zones to deliver the same soil moisture depth.

A rotary nozzle is a different product — a multi-stream nozzle insert that mounts on a standard spray body rather than a standalone head. Instead of a single rotating stream, it delivers multiple slow-moving streams that rotate outward from the nozzle, covering 8 to 35 feet at a standard precipitation rate of 0.4 inches per hour. The Hunter MP Rotator is the most widely installed example. The rotor is a standalone head with its own body, drive mechanism, and installation footprint; the rotary nozzle is an insert that drops into the same spray body you already have. If you have an existing spray system, that distinction matters — a rotary nozzle upgrade means no trenching, no pipe work, just a nozzle swap on each head.

Key Differences That Affect Coverage, Runoff, and Run Times

Run time, runoff, and distribution uniformity determine whether your irrigation system waters your lawn or wastes water. In Austin, clay soil absorbs water slowly and summer heat punishes dry zones within days. These variables matter more here than in most other markets — and they should drive how you set up your system.

Why Do Spray Heads Usually Need Shorter Run Times Than Rotors?

Spray heads apply water faster, so they need less time to deliver the same moisture depth to the root zone.

Your spray zones may need 10 to 15 minutes per cycle; your rotor and rotary nozzle zones may need 25 to 40 minutes to deliver the same moisture depth. That ratio holds across most yards, though actual run times vary by plant type, season, and how much water your soil can absorb before runoff begins. Austin Water publishes seasonal watering guidelines at austinwater.org organized by season and plant category — the most locally relevant reference for setting or adjusting your controller.

How Do Precipitation Rates Change Runoff Risk on Slopes or Compacted Soil?

Spray heads apply water faster than your clay soil can absorb it. The excess runs off instead of soaking in. Central Texas clay soil absorbs roughly 0.2 to 0.5 inches per hour under normal conditions. Spray heads apply 1.5 to 2 inches per hour.

The fix is cycle-and-soak programming. Instead of running a zone once for 30 minutes straight, split that into two 15-minute cycles with a 30-minute gap between them. The first cycle wets the soil surface; the gap gives the clay time to absorb that water before the second cycle adds more. This works for spray zones, rotor zones, and any zone on a slope or in an area that shows pooling before the run cycle ends.

Runoff is also a TCEQ compliance issue, not just a water bill problem. Texas Administrative Code Chapter 344 prohibits irrigation water from flowing onto driveways, sidewalks, and streets — and that runoff may put you out of compliance with your system.

What Is Distribution Uniformity and Why Does It Matter for Brown Spots?

Distribution uniformity (DU) measures how evenly water reaches each part of a zone. A low-DU zone delivers too much water in some spots and too little in others — even when your run times look right and the system appears to be working.

Low DU is one of the most common causes of dry patches in Austin irrigation systems. It is frequently misdiagnosed as a run time problem. If you try to fix dry spots by running the zone longer, you end up overwatering the saturated areas while the dry patches barely improve. The cause is usually head spacing, nozzle mismatch, or pressure inconsistency — not run time.

Austin’s summer heat, with triple-digit temperatures common from June through September, makes low-DU zones visually apparent within a single heat wave. Sprinkler Medics can identify whether the cause is spacing, pressure, or head type before you spend money replacing heads that weren’t the problem.

How to Choose the Right Head Type for Your Yard

The right head type depends on what your yard is actually asking of the system — zone size, soil behavior, and slope all point toward different answers. Start with the size of the area you need to cover.

Which Sprinkler Head Is a Better Fit for Small or Irregular Lawn Areas?

If your zone is under 15 feet in any dimension, spray heads are your standard choice. The fixed fan-shaped pattern covers those areas precisely, the shorter run time suits tight scheduling windows, and the interchangeable nozzle format lets your installer match the coverage shape to your lot.

For narrow side-yard runs, strips between concrete and planting beds, or zones that run along a fence line, strip nozzles are the right tool. Strip nozzles deliver a narrow rectangular pattern instead of a radial fan — common on Austin bungalow and ranch-style lots where a standard nozzle would hit hardscape on both sides.

Small areas near patios, walkways, or driveways benefit from spray heads for another reason: faster application can be timed to finish before runoff reaches the surface.

Which Sprinkler Head Is a Better Fit for Larger Turf Zones?

If your turf zone exceeds 30 feet in any dimension, rotors are your standard choice. The wider throw radius means fewer heads cover the same area, the lower precipitation rate reduces runoff risk on larger expanses of clay soil, and the longer run time trades against fewer valves and less pipe to maintain.

Fewer heads and valves has a direct cost implication for new installs. To cover a 5,000 square foot back yard with spray heads, you need significantly more heads, valves, and pipe than you would with rotors. On larger lots, that difference shows up meaningfully in the installation estimate.

Newer suburban developments in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Pflugerville commonly feature larger open turf areas where rotors are the right choice from the start. Many older systems in those areas were installed with spray heads that should be rotor zones — converting them is often more cost-effective than maintaining a spray system undersized for the space.

Do Rotary Nozzles Help Reduce Runoff in Clay Soil?

Rotary nozzles, specifically multi-stream nozzles like the MP Rotator, apply water at 0.4 inches per hour, which falls within the typical infiltration capacity of Central Texas clay soil. That match largely eliminates the runoff problem without requiring cycle-and-soak programming, and it does so using the same spray body already in the ground.

The rotary nozzle insert drops directly onto any standard spray body — no trenching, no pipe work, no valve changes. Swap the nozzle, adjust the run time upward, and your zone performance changes immediately.

Austin’s hard-water supply adds one maintenance requirement specific to this area. Check and clean the inlet filter on your rotary nozzles at least once per season. Hard-water deposits build up in the filter over time, cutting flow and shrinking your coverage radius. In zones with heavier mineral deposits, replace the filter annually.

Design Rules Pros Use to Avoid Dry Spots and Water Waste

The technical principles behind head selection only produce results when the installation follows the design rules that govern how heads are zoned, spaced, and programmed. In Texas, TCEQ-licensed irrigators are required to meet specific design standards on every installation.

Can You Mix Spray Heads and Rotors in the Same Zone?

Mixing spray heads and rotors in the same zone violates matched precipitation rate requirements. Texas irrigation law prohibits it.

When spray heads and rotors share a zone, the spray head area receives 1.5 to 2 inches per hour while the rotor area receives 0.4 to 0.8 inches per hour during the same run cycle. To deliver adequate water to the rotor area, you run the zone long enough for the rotor to cover its territory — but by that point the spray head area has received two to four times its appropriate application. The result is runoff in one section and dry spots in another. No run time adjustment fixes both.

Every Sprinkler Medics installation is designed to matched precipitation rate standards under Chapter 344. A properly permitted job will never mix spray heads and rotors on the same zone. If a zone behaves inconsistently no matter how you adjust run times, check for mixed head types first.

What Is “Matched Precipitation Rate” and Why Does Texas Require It?

Matched precipitation rate means all heads in a zone apply water at the same depth per hour, regardless of the arc size or spacing of each individual head. A head covering a 90-degree arc and a head covering a 180-degree arc will not automatically apply water at the same rate just because they are the same model.

Mismatched rates mean some areas get too much water and others too little in the same run cycle. A 90-degree nozzle and a 180-degree nozzle apply water at different rates unless the nozzle is specifically chosen to compensate for the arc. Most standard spray nozzles do not do this automatically. That mismatch produces exactly the kind of brown spots and wet spots you would typically blame on run time rather than design.

Texas Administrative Code Chapter 344 requires matched precipitation rate on all residential irrigation installations. TCEQ uses this standard to evaluate licensed irrigator compliance on every installation.

What Does “Head-to-Head Coverage” Mean in Plain English?

Head-to-head coverage means each head’s spray pattern reaches the base of the next head in every direction, so every point in your zone gets water from at least two heads.

Without head-to-head coverage, the outer edges of each head’s radius receive only a fraction of the water applied closer to the head. The middle of each head’s pattern gets full coverage; the edges between heads get partial coverage from both sides — and the result is a ring of dry turf that persists no matter how long the zone runs. Homeowners who add run time to fix dry edges end up overwatering the center of each head’s pattern. The dry rings stay.

Improper head spacing is one of the most common problems Sprinkler Medics finds on Austin system inspections, particularly in systems installed before TCEQ codified current spacing standards. If your yard has a repeating pattern of dry spots that appear roughly equidistant from each other and from the heads around them, head spacing is the likely cause.

FAQs About Rotary vs Spray Heads for Austin Lawns

How Long Should I Run Spray Heads vs Rotors in Austin?

Plan on 10 to 15 minutes per cycle for spray zones and 25 to 40 minutes for rotor and rotary nozzle zones. The difference traces directly to precipitation rate. Neither figure is fixed — season, plant type, and soil condition all shift the numbers.

Austin Water’s seasonal watering guidelines at austinwater.org are your most reliable local starting point for setting or adjusting your controller run times.

For clay soil zones showing pooling before the run cycle ends, split your rotor run time into two shorter cycles with a 30-minute gap between them.

If your spray heads show runoff or misting, upgrading to rotary nozzles is often the most practical fix.

Are Multi-Stream Rotary Nozzles a Good Upgrade From Traditional Sprays?

Rotary nozzle upgrades are a practical option for Austin spray zones showing runoff, dry spots, or pressure misting — the nozzle fits directly onto your existing spray body without any pipe work. Pull the old spray nozzle off the pop-up, thread the rotary nozzle on, and your zone goes from applying 1.5 to 2 inches per hour down to 0.4. For zones on clay soil or slight slopes, that rate change alone often eliminates the runoff problem.

After upgrading to rotary nozzles, increase your controller run times by approximately 2 to 2.5 times to deliver the same soil moisture depth. If your spray zone ran for 12 minutes, plan on 25 to 30 minutes after the rotary nozzle swap. Skipping that adjustment is the most common mistake after a rotary nozzle upgrade and leaves turf under-watered.

Before You Switch Heads

• Check static water pressure at the valve box. Rotary nozzles perform well at 40 PSI; spray heads operate at 25 to 30 PSI. If pressure falls significantly outside these ranges, a pressure regulator may be needed before switching.
• Confirm that existing head spacing matches the coverage radius of the new nozzle type. Rotary nozzles have a wider radius than most spray heads, and spacing that worked for spray heads may leave gaps with rotary nozzles.
• Identify zone type. Rotary nozzles can share a zone with other rotary nozzles but cannot be mixed with standard sprays or rotors in the same zone without violating matched precipitation rate requirements.
• Locate the inlet filter slot on the new rotary nozzle and confirm a fine-mesh filter is included. Austin’s hard-water supply requires a functional filter to prevent mineral buildup in the nozzle mechanism.

Get the Right Heads on Your Austin Irrigation System

Choosing between spray heads, rotors, and rotary nozzles comes down to zone size, soil behavior, and slope. In Central Texas, where clay soil absorbs water slowly and Austin Water gives you one assigned day per week to work with, the wrong head type on the wrong zone costs you that entire window every time your system runs.

If your yard has persistent dry spots, runoff pooling at the curb, or zones that mist instead of throw, the problem is more likely head selection or spacing than run time. Adding minutes to a poorly matched zone does not fix the underlying issue.

Sprinkler Medics of Austin is a TCEQ-licensed, veteran-owned irrigation company serving Greater Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and the surrounding area. Ready for reliable irrigation service from a veteran-owned team you can trust? Reach out to Sprinkler Medics of Austin today for a free estimate.

A sprinkler system is only as good as the installation behind it. In Austin, where watering is restricted to one assigned day per week and the soil runs clay-heavy across most of the metro, a poorly designed system wastes your entire weekly watering window and leaves you with a lawn that never quite recovers.

Professional sprinkler installation in Austin goes well beyond digging trenches and connecting heads. A licensed irrigator designs your system around your specific yard, accounting for soil type, sun exposure, water pressure, and Austin Water’s scheduling rules, so every zone applies water where it’s needed at a rate the ground can actually absorb.

At Sprinkler Medics of Austin, our veteran-owned team has installed and repaired irrigation systems across Greater Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, and the surrounding area. We know the soil conditions, the caliche layers, and the watering rules that catch DIY installs off guard. This guide covers what professional installation includes, why it matters for Central Texas lawns, and what to ask before any contractor breaks ground on your property.

Why Professional Sprinkler Installation Matters in Austin, Texas

Austin-area soils are predominantly clay-heavy, which means they absorb water significantly more slowly than sandy or loam soils. A system that applies water faster than the soil can infiltrate it produces runoff rather than root-zone absorption. Caliche rock layers complicate trenching depth in many Central Texas neighborhoods. Sun exposure varies significantly between front yard turf, shaded side yards, and foundation beds, each requiring different head types and run times. Austin’s periodic drought conditions make head selection and precipitation rate accuracy more consequential than in less restricted areas.

Your installer accounts for these conditions through site-specific zone design, head type selection matched to each area’s infiltration rate and plant type, and cycle-and-soak scheduling that works within Austin Water’s assigned watering window. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension supports this approach in its guidance on Central Texas soil behavior and watering efficiency.

What Does “Professional Sprinkler Installation” Include Compared to DIY?

A professional installation includes:

• Site-specific system design
• Zone layout based on plant type and sun exposure
• Correct head spacing for head-to-head coverage
• Pressure and flow rate assessment at the water source
• Backflow prevention selected per TCEQ requirements
• Controller programming
• A pressure test
• A final zone-by-zone coverage walkthrough

In Texas, landscape irrigation installation is regulated work. A licensed irrigator carries TCEQ credentials and operates under the minimum design and installation standards in Texas Administrative Code Chapter 344. You can verify a contractor’s license on the TCEQ website before you hire.

A DIY installation typically starts from your best estimate of zone layout and head placement, skips pressure and flow assessment, and rarely includes correctly specified backflow prevention. That difference shows up immediately in how well the system covers your yard, and gets more expensive to fix the longer it runs.

The table below summarizes the key differences between a professional installation and a typical DIY approach.

How Pros Design Systems That Water Evenly and Use Less Water

Head-to-head coverage means each sprinkler head is spaced so that its throw distance reaches the next head in the zone, ensuring every point in the irrigated area receives water from at least two directions rather than relying on a single head to cover the middle ground.

Heads spaced too far apart leave dry gaps between throw distances. Heads spaced too close overlap excessively and apply too much water in those areas, which causes runoff and saturation in Central Texas clay-heavy soil. Texas Administrative Code Chapter 344 establishes head spacing requirements as part of the minimum design standards licensed irrigators follow in Texas.

Austin Water limits automatic irrigation to one assigned day and time window per week. You can’t fix a zone with inadequate head-to-head coverage by running it longer or more frequently without risking a violation. The dry spots don’t go away until the system is professionally diagnosed and reworked. Fixing them after installation means repositioning heads and re-trenching your lawn.

How Do Zones, Water Pressure, and Nozzle Selection Affect Brown Spots and Runoff?

Mixing head types with different precipitation rates in the same zone causes problems. Pairing rotors with spray heads causes the faster-applying head to over-saturate its area while the slower type under-delivers, producing a zone that simultaneously has dry spots and runoff within the same run cycle.

Water pressure that runs too high causes spray heads to fog rather than throw, increasing evaporation and wind drift. Pressure that runs too low reduces throw distance and creates the same dry spot and overlap problems as incorrect head spacing. Your installer measures static and dynamic pressure at the water source and sizes each zone’s flow rate to what the supply line can support. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension supports matched precipitation rate and distribution uniformity as core Central Texas irrigation design principles.

In Central Texas clay-heavy soils, mismatched precipitation rates produce runoff before the soil can infiltrate the water. That wastes water during your limited allowed watering window and creates the same soggy-spot symptoms as a drainage problem.

When Is Drip Irrigation a Better Fit Than Spray Heads for Austin Landscapes?

Drip irrigation is typically the more appropriate choice for foundation beds, tree rings, slope plantings, and narrow side yards. These are areas where spray heads either produce runoff on slopes, risk wetting structures with overspray, or cannot achieve matched precipitation rates across a zone with mixed plant types.

Central Texas summer heat increases evaporation losses from spray heads significantly. Drip applies water directly to the root zone, which eliminates both the evaporation and the overspray losses that reduce spray head efficiency during hot weather. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension documents this water efficiency advantage specifically for Central Texas landscapes.

Most professionally designed Austin systems combine spray zones for open turf areas with drip zones for beds and plantings. Your installer designs the zone boundary based on plant type, slope, and proximity to structures.

How Professional Installation Helps You Follow Austin Watering Rules

Austin Water assigns your automatic irrigation system a specific watering day based on your street address. How your system is designed and programmed determines whether it works within that window or wastes it.

What Are Austin’s Watering-Day Rules for Automatic Irrigation Systems?

Your system is typically restricted to watering once per week on your assigned day during specific allowed hours, with stricter limits possible during drought conditions that reduce frequency or stop irrigation entirely. The rules are subject to change. Confirm your current watering day assignment and any active restrictions directly with Austin Water.

A professionally programmed smart controller runs on your assigned day automatically, so you’re not at risk from outdated or incorrect manual settings. A well-designed system accounts for the single-day watering window in the zone run times and scheduling structure. A system designed without this in mind may require more total run time than the allowed window permits, leading to either non-compliance or under-watering.

How Do Smart Controllers Reduce Waste and Help Adjust to Weather?

A smart controller adjusts your watering schedule automatically based on real-time weather data, reducing run times during cool or humid periods, skipping cycles after sufficient rainfall, and increasing application during heat events. This makes it particularly well-suited to Central Texas conditions, where a single week can include both an intense heat event and a sudden heavy rain.

These four features work together: weather-based scheduling using evapotranspiration (ET) data, automatic rain skip when sufficient rainfall has occurred, freeze skip during cold snaps to protect pipes and heads, and zone-by-zone run time customization based on plant type and sun exposure. A professionally programmed smart controller uses all four rather than applying a single static schedule across all zones.

A smart controller’s rain skip and drought-response features also scale back watering automatically during Austin Water restrictions, so you stay compliant without reprogramming every time the rules change.

How Can Proper Scheduling Reduce Overspray, Runoff, and Wasted Water in Austin?

Cycle-and-soak scheduling breaks each zone’s total run time into two or three shorter cycles with a rest interval between them. The rest interval allows the first cycle’s water to begin infiltrating before the next cycle adds more, preventing the surface runoff that occurs when water is applied faster than Austin’s clay-heavy soil can absorb it.

The multiple short cycles run within your single assigned watering window, keeping your system compliant with Austin Water’s schedule while applying water more effectively than a single continuous run. You’ll typically see less runoff into sidewalks and driveways, fewer soggy low spots, and more even coverage across zones that looked fine but were leaving dry spots.

Before installation begins, ask your contractor these five questions. A licensed irrigator should answer all of them clearly.

• What is my assigned Austin Water watering day? Your controller will be programmed to run on this day. Confirm your assignment with Austin Water before installation so your contractor programs the system correctly from the start.
• What controller type is being installed, and does it support weather-based scheduling? A smart controller that adjusts run times based on ET data and automatically skips cycles after rain is more water-efficient in Central Texas conditions than a standard timer.
• How will zone layout account for the different plant types and sun exposure areas on my property? Turf zones, bed zones, shaded side yards, and foundation plantings each have different water needs and should not share zones with mismatched precipitation rates.
• What is the plan for runoff prevention on sloped areas or clay-heavy soil zones? Cycle-and-soak scheduling and lower-precipitation-rate nozzles like MP rotators are the standard professional responses to Austin’s clay-heavy soil infiltration rate.
• What backflow prevention device will be installed, and does it meet TCEQ and City of Austin requirements? Backflow prevention is a regulatory requirement for residential irrigation in Texas. Confirm that the device type is appropriate for your system configuration before signing the estimate.

FAQs: Common DIY Problems a Professional Installation Helps Prevent

What Goes Wrong Most Often With DIY Sprinkler Installs?

The most common DIY installation problems are inadequate head-to-head coverage that leaves dry gaps between zones, incorrect water pressure that causes heads to fog or under-perform at the edges, mismatched precipitation rates between head types in the same zone, and improperly sized or missing backflow prevention. In Austin, where automatic irrigation is limited to one assigned day per week, you can’t fix any of these errors by running the system longer or more frequently without risking a violation. The errors don’t go away until the system is professionally diagnosed and reworked. Parts are usually the smaller expense. Trenching into an established lawn, repositioning heads, and replacing incorrectly specified backflow prevention after the fact typically costs significantly more than getting the design right the first time.

Why Does Backflow Prevention Matter for Irrigation Systems in Texas?

A backflow prevention device is required on residential irrigation systems because the irrigation line connects to the same potable water supply as your home. Without it, a sudden pressure drop could allow water from the irrigation system to flow backward through the cross-connection and into your drinking water. Irrigation water may contain fertilizer, pesticides, or soil contaminants, which is exactly why Texas requires this protection.

Pressure vacuum breakers (PVB), reduced pressure zone assemblies (RPZ), and double-check valve assemblies (DCVA) are the most common device types used in residential irrigation. The appropriate device depends on your system configuration and the requirements of your local water provider. A licensed irrigator selects the correct type. A DIY installation commonly omits the device entirely or installs the wrong type. Installing the wrong device type runs counter to TCEQ cross-connection control guidance and the City of Austin’s backflow prevention program, and it puts your drinking water at risk. Confirm your specific backflow requirements with Austin Water before installation begins.

Do You Need a Licensed Irrigator in Texas, and When Does It Apply?

Yes. Texas law requires that anyone who installs, repairs, designs, or sells irrigation systems be licensed by TCEQ. The licensed irrigator credential covers installation. Irrigation technician and irrigation inspector are separate TCEQ credentials for other scopes of work.

Verify your contractor’s current TCEQ license status before you sign anything. If a contractor can’t give you a TCEQ license number, don’t hire them. The licensing requirement applies to all irrigation installation work regardless of system size or property type. The regulation applies to the work, regardless of who owns the property.

Is Professional Sprinkler Installation Worth It for an Austin Yard?

The value comes through across three outcomes: water savings through correct precipitation rate matching and cycle-and-soak scheduling; lawn health through even coverage and zone-appropriate head selection; and compliance through a controller programmed to your Austin Water assigned watering day from the first run.

As a veteran-owned company, Sprinkler Medics brings the same discipline and attention to detail to every installation that we carried in service.

How Long Does a Typical Sprinkler Installation Take?

A typical residential sprinkler installation in Austin commonly takes one to two days, depending on yard size, zone count, and site conditions. Central Texas yards with caliche rock layers or dense clay-heavy soil can extend the trenching phase. Tree root density in established neighborhoods adds time. The complexity of mixing spray and drip zones across a larger property also affects how long the job runs. A site evaluation identifies all of these factors before installation begins.

Schedule Your Professional Sprinkler Installation in Austin

A professionally installed sprinkler system in Austin delivers three things a DIY install rarely achieves: even coverage across every zone, a controller programmed to your assigned watering day from the first run, and backflow prevention that meets TCEQ and City of Austin requirements. In a market where you get one watering day per week, getting those three things right from the start is what separates a lawn that stays green through a Central Texas summer from one that doesn’t.

Reworking a poorly designed system after the fact means re-trenching an established lawn, repositioning heads, and replacing incorrectly specified components. Getting the design right the first time costs less.

Sprinkler Medics of Austin is a TCEQ-licensed, veteran-owned irrigation company serving Greater Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and the surrounding area. Ready for reliable sprinkler installation from a veteran-owned team you can trust? Reach out to Sprinkler Medics of Austin today for a free estimate.