Serving DC Since 1981, with Rain Bird Select Contractor Status & an EPA WaterSense Partner on Staff
Chesapeake Irrigation & Lighting has served the greater Baltimore and Washington, DC region since 1981. Our in-house team brings more than 200 years of cumulative hands-on experience to every project, along with Rain Bird Select Contractor status and an EPA WaterSense Partner on staff. Whether you’re installing a new system, scheduling seasonal service, or diagnosing a repair, we handle every phase directly with our own licensed and certified crews.
We serve both residential and commercial clients throughout Washington, DC. Free, upfront estimates are available for every project.
Sprinkler System Services We Provide in Washington, DC
Our irrigation work covers the full system lifecycle, from initial design through ongoing seasonal care. Every system we install is custom-engineered to the property’s soil type, sun exposure, plant coverage, and lot layout. Our Irrigation Association-certified technicians select premium components suited to the Mid-Atlantic climate, where hot, humid summers and freezing winters place real seasonal stress on irrigation infrastructure.
Custom System Design & Installation
We engineer zone-based layouts that maximize coverage while minimizing runoff and water waste. Smart controller integration automates watering schedules and pauses run cycles during rain events. Drip irrigation design is also available for planting beds, trees, and container gardens.
Repair & Diagnostics
We diagnose and repair sprinkler head damage, valve failures, controller malfunctions, and underground leaks. If your system is underperforming, we identify the source rather than just replacing parts.
Seasonal Startup & Winterization
Spring startup reintroduces pressure to the mainline gradually and checks heads, valves, and controllers after winter dormancy. Fall winterization uses professional-grade air compressors to purge residual water before DC’s freeze-thaw cycles can fracture pipes or damage components.
Backflow Prevention
Washington, DC municipal code requires backflow prevention on all irrigation connections to protect the public water supply. We incorporate compliant backflow preventer installation into new systems.
Why DC Property Owners Choose Chesapeake Irrigation & Lighting
Credentials matter when selecting an irrigation contractor, and ours are verifiable. Our Rain Bird Select Contractor designation reflects demonstrated installation proficiency with Rain Bird equipment. EPA WaterSense Partner status means water-efficient design is central to how we work, not an add-on. We’re also fully licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission.
On the recognition side, we’re a two-time Best of Baltimore award recipient and a recipient of the BBB Greater Maryland Torch Award for Marketplace Excellence, which recognizes organizations that demonstrate ethics in the marketplace and an exceptional commitment to building trust with customers and the community.
One policy that consistently matters to clients: we don’t use subcontractors. Every crew member you work with is a Chesapeake Irrigation & Lighting employee. Our technicians also take time on-site to walk you through how your system operates, what each component does, and how to recognize when something needs attention. We use green products throughout our work.
Get a Free Estimate for Sprinkler Systems in Washington, DC
Whether you’re evaluating contractors for a new installation, a system repair, or seasonal maintenance, we’re glad to walk through the project with you at no charge. Call us at (410) 453-8257 or reach out through our online contact form. Chesapeake Irrigation & Lighting serves residential and commercial clients throughout Washington, DC and the surrounding Maryland counties.
How We Design & Install Sprinkler Systems for DC Properties
Every project starts with a site evaluation before any design work begins. We assess soil composition, grade, sun exposure, existing plant varieties, and lot layout. Washington, DC’s older neighborhoods frequently involve aging underground infrastructure and established root systems, so pre-installation assessment shapes how we plan trenching and routing before a single head goes in the ground.
Zone-based hydraulic design balances water pressure across each zone and calculates precipitation rates to achieve even coverage. Without that calculation, systems tend to overwater some areas and underwater others. Urban lot configurations typical in DC residential neighborhoods call for precision layout to reach full coverage without wasting water on hardscape.
Once the design is finalized, we calibrate smart controllers to automate watering schedules and adjust as seasons shift. Backflow preventer installation is incorporated into new systems from the start. Because our team handles consultation, design, installation, and ongoing seasonal maintenance, there’s no handoff between contractors and no gaps in accountability over the life of the system.
Spring Startup, Fall Winterization, & Seasonal Maintenance in the DC Area
The Mid-Atlantic climate creates maintenance demands that more temperate regions don’t face. Water left in PVC lines during a DC winter can freeze, expand, and fracture the pipe. Professional fall winterization helps reduce that risk by using commercial-grade air compressors to purge residual water from pipes, valves, and heads before freezing temperatures arrive.
Spring startup reverses that process carefully. We reintroduce pressure to the mainline slowly to prevent water hammer, then inspect heads, valves, and controllers for any winter damage before the growing season gets underway. Mid-season audits allow our technicians to adjust spray arcs and run times as plants mature and coverage needs shift through the season. Our maintenance programs combine spring startup, fall winterization, and mid-season checks into a consistent annual schedule.
From consultation and design through professional installation and ongoing maintenance, our in-house team delivers a seamless customer experience.
Lighting & Landscape Enhancement
Our customized landscape lighting solutions not only extend the enjoyment of your outdoor spaces but also enhance safety, beauty, and nighttime curb appeal.
Trusted Local Expertise
With over 40 years serving residential and commercial clients across the Annapolis, Baltimore, and DC regions, our team brings deep local experience and a proven track record to every project
Custom-Designed Systems
We design and install irrigation systems tailored to each property, maximizing water efficiency, landscape health, and long-term performance.
