Installation Guide

New System Installation

Thinking about a new irrigation system? Get expert answers about the installation process, costs, timelines, and what to expect when working with our professional team.

2-5 Days

Typical Install

1 Years

Warranty

The cost of a new irrigation system varies based on property size, system complexity, and components used. For residential properties in the DFW area:

Small yards (under 5,000 sq ft): $2,500 - $4,500
Medium yards (5,000 - 10,000 sq ft): $4,500 - $7,500
Large properties (10,000+ sq ft): $7,500 - $15,000+

Every property is unique. We provide free consultations and detailed written estimates with no obligation. Contact us for an accurate quote based on your specific needs.

Most residential installations are completed in 1-3 days depending on property size and system complexity. A typical installation timeline includes: Day 1 - Underground piping and valve installation. Day 2 - Sprinkler head placement, controller installation, and system testing. Day 3 (if needed) - Final adjustments and landscaping restoration. We work efficiently to minimize disruption to your property and daily routine. Larger commercial projects may take 1-2 weeks. We'll provide a detailed timeline during your consultation.

We take great care to minimize disruption to your landscape. Our installation process uses trenching equipment that creates narrow, precise cuts for underground pipes. After installation, we carefully restore affected areas by replacing sod, reseeding grass, and ensuring your landscape looks as good—or better—than before. Most trenches are barely visible within 2-3 weeks as grass regrows. We've perfected our installation techniques over 20+ years to protect your property investment.

A complete irrigation system installation from Clearwater Vista includes:

Custom system design tailored to your landscape
Professional-grade PVC piping and fittings
Quality sprinkler heads (rotors, spray heads, or drip lines)
Electric control valves for each zone
Programmable controller (standard or smart WiFi)
Backflow prevention device (where required)
Rain sensor to prevent watering during rainfall
Complete system testing and programming
Owner training on system operation
Warranty coverage on parts and labor

Permit requirements vary by city and municipality in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Most cities require permits for new irrigation installations, primarily to ensure proper backflow prevention devices are installed to protect the public water supply. We handle all permit applications and inspections as part of our service—you don't need to worry about paperwork or dealing with city officials. Our team is familiar with local codes and regulations across all DFW cities and ensures your system meets all requirements.

Automated sprinkler head sprays water in multiple directions on a lawn. Represents urban irrigation and water-saving systems.

System Care

Maintenance & Care

Keep your irrigation system running efficiently year-round. Learn about routine maintenance, seasonal care, and how to prevent costly repairs with proper upkeep.

Seasonal checkups recommended

Professional maintenance available

We recommend professional maintenance twice a year—spring start-up and fall winterization. Here's why:

Spring Start-Up (March-April): Activates your system after winter, checks for freeze damage, adjusts sprinkler heads, tests all zones, programs controller for the growing season, and ensures optimal coverage before hot Texas weather arrives.

Fall Winterization (October-November): Prepares your system for winter by draining all water from pipes to prevent freeze damage, shutting down the system properly, and inspecting components for needed repairs.

Regular maintenance prevents costly repairs, extends system lifespan by years, and ensures efficient operation that saves water and money.

Water usage varies based on lawn size, plant types, weather, and system efficiency. General guidelines for North Texas:

Lawns need approximately 1-1.5 inches of water per week during growing season
A 5,000 sq ft lawn uses roughly 3,000-4,500 gallons per week
Smart controllers can reduce water usage by 30-50% compared to traditional timers

If your water bill seems unusually high, you may have leaks or inefficient coverage. We offer free water efficiency audits to identify problems and recommend solutions that reduce waste and lower bills.

Broken sprinkler heads are common—often caused by lawn mowers, foot traffic, or vehicle damage. Here's what to do:

Turn off the zone or system to prevent water waste
Mark the location so you can find it easily
Call us for repair - we can typically fix broken heads same-day

A single broken head can waste 300+ gallons per hour, so prompt repair is important. We stock all major brands and can replace heads quickly and affordably. Most repairs are completed in under 30 minutes.

When one zone fails while others work, the most common causes are:

Faulty valve solenoid - the electrical component that opens the valve
Stuck valve diaphragm - debris preventing the valve from opening
Broken wire connection - damaged wiring between controller and valve
Controller malfunction - programming or hardware issue

Our technicians can diagnose and repair zone issues quickly—usually within an hour. We carry replacement parts on our service trucks for same-day repairs. Don't let a non-functioning zone damage your landscape—call us for prompt service.

Yes! Many Texas homeowners mistakenly believe winterization isn't necessary, but North Texas experiences hard freezes that can cause thousands of dollars in damage to irrigation systems.

Professional winterization involves using compressed air to blow out all water from underground pipes, valves, and backflow preventers. Even small amounts of trapped water can freeze, expand, and crack PVC pipes or damage valve components.

We've seen countless systems destroyed by a single hard freeze—repairs that could have been prevented with a simple $75-150 winterization service. Schedule winterization in October or November before the first freeze hits. It's the best insurance for your irrigation investment.

Smart Technology

Water Savings & Technology

Discover how smart irrigation technology can reduce water waste, lower your bills, and keep your landscape healthier. Modern systems pay for themselves through savings.

30-50%

Water Savings

$400+

Annual Savings

A gardener hands with a digital tablet using a smart garden application concept. Watering system. Electronic irrigation control.

Smart irrigation controllers are WiFi-enabled devices that automatically adjust watering schedules based on weather data, soil conditions, and plant needs. Unlike traditional timers that water on a fixed schedule, smart controllers:

Skip watering when it rains or when rain is forecasted
Adjust run times based on temperature, humidity, and wind
Allow remote control via smartphone from anywhere
Provide water usage reports and efficiency tracking
Send alerts for system problems or maintenance needs

Should you upgrade? If you're serious about water conservation and convenience, absolutely! Most customers see 30-50% reduction in water usage, paying for the upgrade in 1-2 years through lower water bills. Popular brands include Rachio, Rain Bird, and Hunter. We can retrofit most existing systems with smart controllers.

There are several effective ways to reduce water usage without sacrificing landscape health:

Upgrade to smart controller - Saves 30-50% through weather-based adjustments
Install high-efficiency nozzles - New rotary nozzles use 30% less water than standard spray heads
Add drip irrigation - For garden beds, drip systems reduce waste by 50% compared to sprinklers
Water early morning - Between 4-6 AM reduces evaporation by up to 40%
Fix leaks promptly - A single leaking head wastes 7,000+ gallons monthly
Adjust seasonally - Reduce run times in spring/fall when plants need less water

Both are effective irrigation methods, but they serve different purposes:

Sprinkler Systems (Best for lawns and large areas):

• Covers large areas efficiently
• Mimics natural rainfall
• Ideal for grass, groundcover, and open spaces
• More water loss to evaporation (15-30%)

Drip Irrigation (Best for gardens, shrubs, trees):

• Delivers water directly to plant roots
• Up to 50% more water-efficient than sprinklers
• Reduces weed growth and plant disease
• Perfect for flower beds, vegetable gardens, and foundation plantings
• Lower pressure requirements

Best approach: Most well-designed systems use both—sprinklers for turf areas and drip lines for landscaping beds. This hybrid approach maximizes efficiency and plant health.

Yes! Many North Texas municipalities and water utilities offer rebates and incentives for installing water-efficient irrigation equipment. Programs vary by location but commonly include:

Smart controller rebates: $50-200 per unit
Rain sensor rebates: $25-75 per sensor
Sprinkler head upgrades: Rebates for replacing old heads with high-efficiency models
System audits: Free or discounted water efficiency evaluations

We stay current on all available rebate programs in the DFW area and can help you apply. These incentives can offset 20-40% of upgrade costs. Contact us to learn what's available for your property.

Expert Solutions

Professional Repairs & Service

Fast, reliable irrigation repair and installation services backed by 20+ years of expertise. We're here to solve your water management challenges with professional solutions you can trust.

Licensed

Fully Insured

Same Day

Emergency Service

24/7 Emergency Service

(469) 874-1532

Plumber is cutting PVC pipe with tool while working on project water line installation, surrounded by pvc fittings, materials.

Yes! Clearwater Vista Irrigation is fully licensed, bonded, and insured. We maintain comprehensive general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage to protect you and your property. Our technicians are certified by leading irrigation manufacturers and undergo continuous training on the latest technologies and best practices. We're also licensed backflow prevention testers as required by most Texas municipalities. You can have complete peace of mind knowing you're working with qualified, insured professionals who stand behind their work.

We proudly serve the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex from our headquarters in Dallas. Our service area includes:

Major Cities: Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Irving, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Allen, Carrollton, Grand Prairie, Lewisville, Denton

Extended Area: Rockwall, Royce City, Wylie, Rowlett, Sachse, Murphy, Prosper, Celina, The Colony, and surrounding communities

Don't see your city listed? Give us a call—we likely service your area! For emergency repairs, we provide same-day service throughout the DFW metroplex.

Yes! We understand irrigation emergencies don't wait for business hours. We offer priority emergency service for urgent issues like:

• Main line breaks flooding your property
• Complete system failures during heat waves
• Multiple zone malfunctions
• Backflow preventer failures
• Controller damage from lightning or power surges

Call us immediately for emergency issues. We prioritize urgent repairs and can often provide same-day service. Our technicians carry common replacement parts on their trucks for faster repairs. Emergency service rates apply for after-hours calls, but we believe in fair, transparent pricing even in urgent situations.

We're factory-trained and authorized to work with all major irrigation brands, including:

Sprinkler Heads & Valves: Rain Bird, Hunter, Toro, Orbit, Irritrol, Weathermatic

Smart Controllers: Rachio, Rain Bird WiFi, Hunter Hydrawise, Toro Precision, RainMachine

Drip Systems: Raindrip, DIG, Netafim, Hunter, Rain Bird Drip

For new installations, we recommend brands based on your specific needs, budget, and property requirements. We stock parts for all major brands and can repair or replace any component regardless of manufacturer. If you have an existing system from any brand, we can service it.

We stand behind our work with comprehensive warranty coverage:

New Installations:

• 2-year warranty on labor and workmanship
• 5-year warranty on PVC piping and valve boxes
• Manufacturer warranties on all components (1-5 years depending on part)
• Free service calls during warranty period for covered issues

Repairs:

• 1-year warranty on all repair work
• Manufacturer warranties on replacement parts

We handle all warranty claims directly—no dealing with manufacturers. If something goes wrong during the warranty period, we fix it promptly at no charge. Our goal is your complete satisfaction and a system that works flawlessly for years.

Getting started is simple! Here's our proven process:

1. Contact Us: Call, email, or fill out our online form to request a consultation
2. Free Site Visit: We visit your property to assess your landscape, water pressure, and irrigation needs
3. Custom Design: We create a detailed system design optimized for your property
4. Written Estimate: You receive a comprehensive quote with transparent pricing—no hidden fees
5. Schedule Installation: Once approved, we schedule your installation at your convenience
6. Professional Installation: Our certified team completes the work efficiently and cleanly
7. System Training: We teach you how to operate and maintain your new system
8. Follow-Up: We check in to ensure everything is working perfectly

Ready to get started? Contact us today for your free consultation!

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