Irrigation Systems
Delray Beach · Boca Raton · Deerfield Beach · Lighthouse Point · Pompano Beach

The first thing we do on every new property. Water efficiency.

When we start maintenance on a new property — or run an irrigation evaluation for an existing client — the first thing we do is check every zone for proper coverage and water efficiency. Not because it's a checklist item. Because in South Florida, water is the single biggest cost on your property and the single biggest waste opportunity. We aim to fix that on day one.

What we do on every irrigation evaluation:

• Zone-by-zone coverage audit. We test each zone individually and walk the property to confirm every square foot is actually getting water — not the driveway, not the sidewalk, not the neighbor's yard. Most systems we audit have 15-30 percent overspray going to surfaces that don't need it.
• Upgrade to water-efficient sprinkler heads and nozzles. MP Rotator nozzles from Hunter and Rain Bird use up to 30 percent less water than standard spray heads while delivering more uniform coverage. Pressure-regulating heads cut waste from over-pressurized zones. We swap inefficient hardware as part of the maintenance scope, not as an upcharge.
• Smart controller integration where it makes sense. Rachio, Hunter Hydrawise, and Rain Bird ESP controllers adjust runtimes based on real weather data and soil conditions. They typically cut water consumption by 30-50 percent compared with fixed-schedule controllers — without the lawn ever looking thirsty.
• Rain and soil moisture sensors. Required by Florida law on most new systems — and frequently broken, disconnected, or never installed on older systems. We test, repair, or install them as part of every evaluation.
• Drip irrigation for beds and tropical plantings. Drip delivers water at the root zone with up to 90 percent efficiency — versus spray heads in a bed that lose half the water to evaporation and runoff. We convert bed irrigation to drip wherever the planting palette supports it.
• Florida-Friendly Landscaping alignment. The water-efficiency principles we apply align with the University of Florida IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping program. The goal is right plant, right place, right amount of water — a healthy lawn that uses less of South Florida's most contested resource.

Why this matters in South Florida.

Outdoor irrigation accounts for more than 50 percent of residential water use in South Florida during the dry season. A well-tuned system means a lower water bill, healthier turf, less runoff into the stormwater system, and less strain on the regional aquifer. It's also the foundation for everything else we do — new sod won't establish on a poorly-tuned system, turf health programs won't deliver, and new plantings won't thrive.

Water efficiency isn't a separate service we charge for. It's the first thing we fix.

What's the most common irrigation problem on a new client's property?

Clogged heads, poor nozzle coverage, rotors with bad spray patterns, and dry spots in the lawn. We see this constantly — especially in Lighthouse Point, Royal Palm Yacht Club, and around Lake Ida in Delray. The problem is usually a combination of poor original design (saving money on zones), wrong nozzle choice, and no one tuning the system seasonally.

What is an irrigation evaluation and what does it include?

An irrigation evaluation is a methodical zone-by-zone walk of your property — checking head coverage, nozzle performance, controller programming, rain sensor function, and zone-to-plant compatibility. Most homeowners discover their system has been over-watering in some zones and under-watering in others. The evaluation produces a written diagnosis and a prioritized list of what needs to change. Typical evaluation takes 1-3 hours depending on system complexity.

What's the difference between irrigation repair and irrigation management?

Irrigation repair is fixing what's broken. Irrigation management is actively overseeing the system across the year — weekly reviews, controller adjustments for season changes, wet checks, dry-spot evaluations, coverage evaluations, zone performance reviews, rainfall monitoring, and water-use optimization. For select clients, we manage the irrigation as a living system, not a switch.

What nozzles does Florida Boys use for irrigation?

We specify Rain Bird RV nozzles (3-24 foot range) for most applications and Hunter MP rotator nozzles (8-35 foot range) for properties with larger zones or poor water pressure. The Hunter MPs are excellent for fixing poorly designed legacy systems. Critical rule: matching nozzle styles within a zone (mixing brands or styles causes uneven coverage).

How often should sprinklers actually run in South Florida?

Most South Florida lawns need irrigation only as supplemental watering — two short cycles per week is typical, automatically adjusted by a properly calibrated rain sensor. Daily watering during rainy season (June through October) is over-watering and is the leading cause of turf decline. The right schedule depends on your grass variety, soil, sun exposure, and the season.

Why does my Zoysia lawn have dry spots?

Dry spots in Zoysia lawns usually come from one of four causes: clogged or misaligned irrigation heads, wrong nozzle for the zone size, controller programmed for the wrong run time, or rotors with poor spray patterns. We walk the property zone by zone to diagnose. Common in Lighthouse Point and Delray Beach where original installs used cheap components or skipped zones to save cost.

Does my new construction home have the right irrigation system?

Probably not. Most builders and contractors save a few hundred dollars by cutting zones during install — which creates problems for the rest of the lawn's life. Adding one or two zones in the right spots makes a major difference in long-term lawn health. If you're a new construction homeowner in Boca Raton, Delray, or Lighthouse Point, an irrigation evaluation is worth the time.

Why does my landscape company say my lawn problems are an irrigation issue, but my irrigation guy says my lawn is fine?

This is the classic vendor finger-pointing problem and we hear it constantly. The truth is usually that BOTH systems need adjustment. Florida Boys runs both irrigation AND lawn maintenance under one team — when the lawn is struggling, the same team checks the irrigation. No finger-pointing, no 'not my department.' One number, one team, one answer.

Should I install conduit when I get a new driveway?

Yes — and this is the single best money you can spend during driveway construction. Install 2.5", 3.5", and 4" conduit sleeves BEFORE pavers go in. Without conduit, your irrigation pipes and landscape lighting wires get cut during driveway work, and the repair cost after the fact is significant. We've had clients in Boca Square and Lighthouse Point face this exact problem.

How does Florida Boys monitor irrigation for weekly maintenance clients?

For weekly clients in Lighthouse Point, we typically check the system every week (properties are close together, so it's efficient). For Boca Raton and Delray Beach weekly clients, we check monthly — more often if a hot spot or recovery property needs it. Some properties get checked twice a week during recovery from Natural Turfgrass Management or aggressive sod establishment.