Re-Routing a Sprinkler System

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Reroute Your Sprinkler System for New Pools, Patios, and Additions

When you add a pool, pour a new patio, build an addition, or refresh your landscape, your existing sprinkler system rarely fits the new layout. Heads spray onto concrete, lines run under new structures, and coverage gaps appear in the lawn you want to protect.

This guide explains how existing sprinkler layouts are typically modified to accommodate new pools, patios, and home additions, and what Fellows Irrigation Services does at each step so your system matches the way your property looks and functions today.

Step 1: Assess Your Existing Layout

Before any digging or rerouting, the first step is to understand how your current system is set up.

We:

Locate existing main and lateral lines, valves, and heads using as-built plans (if available), valve locating tools, and test digs.
Map which zones water turf, beds, and hardscape-adjacent areas.
Note elevation changes, drainage paths, and existing problem areas such as low-pressure zones or overspray onto driveways and walks.

This assessment creates a clear picture of what can be reused, what must be moved for the new pool, patio, or addition, and where new components will be needed.

Step 2: Coordinate with Your New Pool, Patio, or Addition Plan

Next, we compare your existing irrigation layout to your new construction or landscape plan.

We review:

Pool or patio footprint, equipment pads, and decking limits.
Building lines, foundation edges, and utility routes for room additions.
New planting beds, lawn areas, and hardscape features such as outdoor kitchens, firepits, and seating walls.

From there, we identify specific conflicts:

Lines located under proposed concrete, pavers, or foundations.
Heads that will end up under decking or within planting beds that are changing.
Zones that will no longer match the new use of each area (for example, large turf zones reduced to small grass strips after a pool install).

Step 3: Plan the New Irrigation Layout Around the Changes

With conflicts identified, we design a modified layout that fits your updated property.

Key planning considerations include:

Keeping main and lateral lines out from under pools, patios, and building additions to avoid leaks beneath concrete or structures.
Positioning heads so they water turf and plantings, not new decking or walls.
Adjusting spray patterns and radii to match the new shapes and sizes of lawn and bed areas.
Grouping plant types (turf, shrubs, trees, seasonal color) into separate zones so run-times match actual water needs.
Integrating drainage and low-voltage lighting routes into the overall site plan to prevent conflicts between systems.

This planning stage produces a revised irrigation drawing or layout sketch that clearly shows where lines and heads will be moved, removed, or added.

Step 4: Rerouting for Pools

Pools often require the most significant layout changes because of their size and surrounding hardscape.

Typical modifications include:

Bypassing the pool shell and decking by creating new line routes around the outside perimeter of the pool and deck.
Removing or capping any lines and heads directly under the planned pool and decking areas.
Installing new heads to cover narrow turf areas left between the pool deck and property lines, fences, or structures.
Switching to more precise nozzles or drip in nearby beds to reduce overspray onto the pool deck and water features.
Adjusting zones so small remaining turf areas can be watered efficiently without overwatering adjacent beds or hardscape.

Step 5: Rerouting for Patios, Outdoor Kitchens, and Hardscape

Large patios and outdoor living areas replace lawn and planting spaces with hardscape, which changes water needs and line routes.

For these projects, we typically:

Trace and reroute any lines under the new patio footprint to open soil areas, avoiding future leaks beneath concrete or pavers.
Remove or relocate heads that would now spray onto concrete, outdoor kitchens, firepits, or seating areas.
Redesign edge coverage so turf around the patio is fully irrigated without water throwing onto the new hardscape.
Convert adjacent beds to drip irrigation if overspray onto vertical surfaces (walls, posts, doors) is a concern.
Confirm that the new patio grading and drainage pattern still allow water to move away from structures and that irrigation will not create ponding near hardscape edges.

Step 6: Rerouting for Home Additions and New Structures

Room additions, garages, and expanded living areas usually sit where lawn or beds once were. That means buried irrigation components must be moved out of the building footprint and foundation zones.

Common layout changes include:

Locating and rerouting mains and laterals away from new foundations and footings.
Removing or capping lines beneath planned walkways, porches, or steps.
Repositioning or adding heads to cover new side yards, corner beds, or narrow strips of turf beside the addition.
Separating zones that now serve both the original yard and new, smaller lawn areas so each can be watered appropriately.

Throughout this work, we follow local codes and best practices to protect foundations and avoid water against structures.

Step 7: Adjusting Zones, Coverage, and Controller Settings

Once the physical rerouting is complete, the system must be fine-tuned to match the new layout.

We:

Test each zone for pressure, coverage, and leaks.
Adjust head heights, arcs, and nozzle choices so spray coverage is even and efficient.
Reassign or split zones where necessary so turf, beds, and hardscape-adjacent plantings receive the right amount of water.
Update your controller programming, including run times and watering schedules, to reflect changes in plant types, sun exposure, and hardscape.

The result is a system that operates as a cohesive layout rather than a patchwork of old and new components.

Integrating Drainage and Low-Voltage Lighting

New pools, patios, and additions often change how water moves across your property and where landscape lighting should go.

As part of the rerouting plan, we:

Evaluate whether added hardscape or structures create low spots or concentrated runoff that need drainage solutions.
Coordinate irrigation line routes so they do not conflict with current or future drainage piping.
Plan irrigation trenches and lighting conduit paths together when possible to minimize disturbance and protect both systems.

This integrated approach helps your property function well as a whole, not just look good on the surface.

Why Homeowners and Businesses Choose Fellows Irrigation Services

Fellows Irrigation Services is a family-owned irrigation contractor with decades of experience modifying residential and commercial systems in North Texas. We focus specifically on adapting existing sprinkler systems to new layouts created by pools, patios, outdoor living areas, and home additions.

We provide:

Detailed on-site evaluations of your current irrigation layout.
Code-compliant designs that work with your construction and landscape plans.
Careful excavation, rerouting, and reconnection of lines and heads.
Thoughtful upgrades where they are needed and practical repairs where they make sense.

Because we handle design, installation, repair, rerouting, drainage, and low-voltage landscape lighting, we look at your outdoor systems as a whole. You work with licensed professionals who care about workmanship and long-term relationships, so your rerouted sprinkler system is set up to perform reliably as your property continues to grow and change.

Get Started With Your Project Today

If you are ready to improve water coverage and eliminate problem spots, let Fellows Irrigation Services handle the planning and execution for re-routing a sprinkler system at your property. Reach out today through our contact page so we can review your layout, discuss your goals, and schedule a convenient time to get started.