When most people think about irrigation, they picture the hot, dry months of summer—when plants need every drop of water they can get. But the real work of keeping your landscape healthy and your water bill under control actually starts much earlier. Winter is one of the most valuable times to conduct a comprehensive irrigation audit, and the benefits can last all year long.
At Heritage, we view winter irrigation audits as one of the most effective ways to get ahead of problems, protect your investment, and ensure your landscape is ready to thrive when temperatures rise again.
To shed light on what it takes to keep large-scale irrigation systems running, we spoke with Irrigation Supervisor Victor Altamirano, who oversees operations across more than 200 commercial properties throughout the Upstate, Midlands, and Lowcountry regions of South Carolina.
Meet the Expert
Victor Altamirano, Irrigation Supervisor at Heritage
With over five years of experience managing commercial irrigation systems, Victor and his team take a proactive approach to seasonal maintenance—helping customers avoid unexpected costs while protecting their landscapes year-round.
“I coordinate all irrigation work, from customer requests to audits and seasonal startups,” Victor explained. “We’ve got seven team members across three irrigation crews, and we handle everything from troubleshooting leaks during the growing season to auditing systems in the offseason.”
Why Winter Is the Ideal Time for an Irrigation Audit
While it may seem counterintuitive to evaluate your system during the dormant season, winter offers unique advantages:
Less Demand, More Visibility
With plants dormant and turf growth slowed, it’s easier to spot issues such as pooling water, uneven coverage, leaks, and malfunctioning heads.
Technicians Can Take Their Time
During the busy spring and summer rush, irrigation teams are stretched thin responding to emergencies. In winter, there’s time to perform thorough diagnostics and complete repairs proactively—not reactively.
Prevent Small Issues from Becoming Costly Failures
A minor leak or faulty valve left unaddressed over winter can lead to major water waste and landscape damage in summer, when the system runs daily.
“If irrigation runs during freezing temps, ice can form on sidewalks and create slip hazards,” Victor said. “Winterization protects both the infrastructure and the people on the property.”
What a Winter Irrigation Audit Includes
A thorough winter audit looks at the entire system, preparing it for heavy summer use:
- Controller review and programming check
Ensures schedules, seasonal adjustments, and run times are correct. - Valve and zone testing
Identifies sticking valves, electrical issues, and weak zones. - Leak detection
Finds hidden leaks that waste water and drive up utility costs. - System mapping and documentation
Helps property managers make smart long-term decisions.
“During an audit, we run every zone manually, checking for leaks, broken sprinkler heads, clogged nozzles, or misaligned spray patterns,” Victor said. “We also verify that the controller is communicating properly with the field valves because sometimes wiring issues can cause a zone not to run.”
How Winter Audits Save You Money
A properly functioning irrigation system uses significantly less water. By addressing inefficiencies before spring startup, customers often see:
- Lower summer water bills
- Fewer emergency service calls
- Reduced water waste and runoff
- Healthier turf and plant material (which protects your landscape investment)
“We once identified a leak right at an irrigation meter during preseason checks at 700 Huger St in Columbia, SC,” Victor recalled. “We notified our customer and requested approval to make necessary repairs before activating any programs. By catching it early, we prevented our customer from getting a huge water bill.”
700 Huger Street Irrigation Repair
Even a small adjustment—like fixing a misaligned head—can save hundreds of gallons over a single season.
Get Ahead of Summer Drought and Heat
South Carolina summers are getting hotter and drier. Systems that aren’t optimized struggle to keep up, and landscapes suffer. A winter irrigation audit ensures your system is tuned, calibrated, and ready for the stress of summer.
By preparing early, you avoid:
- Dry spots that require costly plant replacement
- Overwatering areas that lead to fungus and disease
- Customer complaints and service disruptions
- The spring “crunch” when everyone wants repairs at the same time
A Proactive Approach That Pays Off
Most irrigation issues don’t show up overnight. They develop slowly—clogged nozzles, low pressure, underground leaks, shifting heads. Catching them in winter prevents costly emergency repairs and protects the long-term health of your grounds.
At Heritage, we encourage property managers and owners to treat winter audits as part of their annual maintenance schedule. It’s an investment that pays for itself through efficiency, water savings, and improved landscape performance.
Want to schedule a winter irrigation audit?
Our certified irrigation technicians are available throughout the winter to perform full audits and ensure your system is ready long before temperatures rise.
Reach out to your Heritage account manager—we’d love to help your landscape start the year strong and finish the summer even stronger.