Green Guru LLC — Irrigation & Landscape Lighting

(248) 790‑0571 8 AM - 5 PM (M-F) 9 AM - 2 PM (Sat)
Irrigation service pages: Startup & InspectionTune-Up & Repair VisitWinterizationUpgradesOverview

Reliability Improvements

Irrigation Upgrades & Modifications

Modernize the system to match your landscape as it changes—reduce waste while improving reliability.

Smart control Pressure discipline (PRV) Drip + micro-drip Rochester, MI area

Approach

Smallest change, biggest win

We recommend the minimum set of upgrades that delivers a meaningful improvement in reliability and water discipline.

Built For

Serviceability

Upgrades are scoped to stay maintainable: clean access, documented settings, and parts we can service over time.

Scope Gate

Verified on-site

We confirm fit, wiring, pressure under flow, and constraints before we commit to hardware changes.

How it works

  • 1

    Confirm goals

    What changed and what you want to improve: coverage, waste, reliability, or control.

  • 2

    Diagnose

    Run test + root-cause checks: pressure, nozzle mix, valve behavior, and programming drift.

  • 3

    Upgrade plan

    Recommend the smallest set of changes that delivers a measurable improvement.

  • 4

    Execute + verify

    Install, tune, and re-test so you can see the difference before we leave.

Popular irrigation upgrades

  • Rachio smart controller replacement: modern scheduling, app-based control, and easier seasonal adjustments (see Smart Irrigation).
  • Pressure discipline (PRV install): reduces misting, stress, and repeat failures when pressure is excessive (guide: PRV).
  • Flow monitoring + master valve (MV): service-scoped options to improve leak detection and response. SRMS bundles flow + MV behavior with clear scope gates for 3/4" and 1" systems (see SRMS™ and why we use DV100 for master valves).
  • Move heads for landscape changes: small relocations for bed changes, hardscape edits, plant growth, or removals.
  • Spray height changes: swap bodies when remulching/grade changes bury sprays (common 4", 6", and 12" bodies such as Rain Bird 1800-series styles).
  • Bed conversion to drip/subsurface: reduce overspray and keep water focused on plantings where sprays no longer fit.
  • Micro-drip for containers and planters: add targeted emitters for seasonal container gardens, patio planters, and entry features.

Why homeowners choose a Rachio upgrade

When a controller is outdated, difficult to adjust, or inconsistent, a Rachio replacement can be a practical upgrade — especially when paired with a clean inspection and mechanical tune-up.

  • Faster adjustments: it’s simpler to update schedules when weather shifts or zones are changed.
  • Better discipline: smart scheduling reduces unnecessary watering when configured correctly (Rain/ET logic).
  • Clearer operation: improved visibility makes it easier to spot program drift and overlapping schedules.
  • Service readiness: better zone naming and documentation supports faster troubleshooting.

See also: Rachio Smart Controller guide. We verify fit and wiring on-site and recommend a startup/inspection if the system hasn’t been evaluated recently.

Landscape bed conversions: spray to drip

Many landscape beds are overwatered by sprays. Drip conversions are a high-leverage upgrade when you want less overspray on mulch/hardscape and more targeted watering around plantings.

  • What changes: we remove/disable bed sprays and install drip components appropriate to the application.
  • What we verify: filtration/regulation needs, zoning, run times, and controller programming so drip runs correctly (not like turf).
  • When subsurface fits: in select beds, subsurface dripline can keep watering clean and hidden while reducing evaporation and spray loss.

Related product callouts: Drip filter + pressure regulator, Micro-drip emitters & stakes, and 1/4" inline emitter tubing.

Micro-drip for containers and seasonal additions

Containers dry out faster than in-ground beds. Micro-drip is a clean way to add predictable watering to planters without overspraying patios, walkways, and entry features.

  • Typical setup: small distribution tubing with micro-emitters or drip stakes sized to the container/plant.
  • Reliability basics: proper filtration and regulation, clean routing, and seasonal checks to prevent clogs and leaks.
  • Best fit: multiple planters that need consistent watering, or high-visibility containers where overspray is unacceptable.

If you want smarter scheduling for these zones, see Smart Irrigation (Rachio).

What affects price

  • Access + constraints: buried components, hardscape edges, tight hedges, and unknown plumbing paths.
  • System condition: repeated failures often mean multiple small repairs are needed to support the upgrade.
  • Verification time: pressure under flow, valve behavior, and wiring quality affect what’s feasible and maintainable.

Service-scoped / quote after inspection.

Related guides

Best time to upgrade: right after landscape changes or early summer, before peak heat stress shows up.

Fast help

Not sure which upgrade makes sense? Start with a Tune-Up & Repair Visit and we’ll identify the highest ROI next step.

Online Booking Request a Free Inspection

Also see: Tune-Ups & Repairs and Winterization.


FAQs

Do you install PRVs and set pressure targets?

Yes. We verify pressure under flow and recommend a PRV path when excessive source pressure is shortening system life. We tune toward a serviceable operating target (often ~65 PSI) with a regulated ceiling of 75 PSI. See: PRV guide and 1" PRV down-leg standard.

Do smart controllers reduce my water bill automatically?

They can reduce waste when configured correctly and paired with good mechanical performance (no leaks, matched nozzles, correct arcs). We treat smart control as part of a system, not a magic switch.

Are drip conversions worth it?

Often, yes—especially in beds where sprays create overspray, algae, and runoff. Drip/subsurface can be more predictable and easier to maintain when built with filtration and regulation.

Can you quote upgrades without a visit?

Most upgrades are service-scoped because access, wiring, pressure under flow, and existing system condition affect what’s feasible and maintainable. We confirm scope on-site.

Next step

Start with a Tune-Up & Repair Visit (in-season) or a Startup & Inspection (spring) and we’ll build an upgrade plan based on real measurements and system condition.