Sealcoating Scheduled? Decide Who Turns the Sprinklers Off and Back On
Before sealcoating, assign someone to disable irrigation that could wet the work area and someone to confirm when it may restart. Put that handoff in writing with the paving contractor and landscape provider. A parking closure notice alone does not tell the person managing the sprinklers what to do.
The water source may be on a timer
The Pavement Coatings Technology Council identifies sprinkler overspray as a water source that must be addressed before sealing. Its guidance calls for automated sprinklers to stay off until the work is complete and the site is open to traffic. Water reaching fresh sealer too early can interfere with curing and wash material into surrounding areas.
For a Middle Tennessee property with a separate landscaping vendor, start with a contact check: who can change the controller, and who covers that person’s absence? Ask whether the work area is served by more than one controller. Do not assume the contractor closing the parking lot has access to the irrigation controls.
Make the shutdown a confirmed task
Before the scheduled visit, ask the sealcoating contractor to identify the affected area and specify when irrigation must stop. Send that information to the person responsible for the landscape system. Request a reply confirming the change, rather than treating a sent email as proof that it happened.
Keep a short handoff note with the controller location, affected zones, responsible person, shutdown confirmation, and contractor contact. Include any scheduled landscape visits during the closure so another crew does not unknowingly restore the normal program. If neighboring irrigation reaches the pavement, flag that coordination need before mobilization.
Also tell the contractor about planned washing near the work. The Council’s guidance includes nearby vehicle washing and other cleaning operations among activities to suspend during the protected period.
Restart by release, not by assumption
Ask for an explicit irrigation restart instruction for each completed phase. Record who received it and who restored the controller settings. If the paving schedule changes, update the irrigation handoff instead of relying on the original calendar entry.
Milliken Corporation offers sealcoating and striping services. When discussing your project, include the landscape contact alongside the parking and delivery contacts. Ask the team to confirm project timing and conditions; this checklist is coordination preparation, not a recommendation to apply sealer during unsuitable weather.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use a fixed number of hours for every sprinkler shutdown?
No. Obtain the shutdown and restart instructions for the actual project from the contractor. Keep that instruction with the irrigation handoff rather than substituting a generic countdown.
What if sprinklers run unexpectedly during the closure?
Contact the irrigation operator to stop the watering and notify the sealcoating contractor promptly. Report the location and approximate time. Let the contractor assess the affected surface before deciding whether work or reopening should proceed.