Last Updated: November 5, 2026
Quick Summary
No, a five-year warranty does not warranty cover labor for the full term. Our terms give five years on heads, two years on electrical components, and only one year on labor, so after year one the technician time is not covered.
- A parts warranty replaces the defective component, while a labor warranty pays the technician who diagnoses and reinstalls it.
- After year one, a failed head may still be covered as a part, but the labor to install it is not.
- Our company must winterize your system to keep your warranty, so skipping professional winterization can void coverage.
- Freeze damage from water left in lines is not a manufacturing defect and no parts warranty covers it.
- Check that the labor term is stated separately from the parts term, along with maintenance conditions and the claims process.
Table of Contents
- Does a 5 Year Warranty Cover Labor? The Short Answer
- Parts vs. Labor: What Your Warranty Actually Covers
- Sprinkler System Winterization: The Warranty Rule You Can't Skip
- Common Warranty Exclusions We See on Service Calls
- How to Verify Your Own Warranty Terms
- Frequently Asked Questions
Does a 5 Year Warranty Cover Labor? The Short Answer
No, a five-year warranty does not cover labor for the full term. At Metro Automated Sprinklers, our terms are explicit: five years on heads, two years on electrical components, and one year on labor. The distinction matters because warranty cover labor terms are often the shortest clause in the document.
Parts vs. Labor: What Your Warranty Actually Covers
A parts warranty replaces the defective component; a labor warranty pays the technician who diagnoses the failure and reinstalls the part.
| Coverage Type | Term | What It Pays For |
|---|---|---|
| Heads | 5 years | Replacement sprinkler heads |
| Electrical components | 2 years | Controllers, valves, wiring |
| Labor | 1 year | Technician time on covered repairs |
After year one, a failed head may still be covered as a part, but the labor to install it is not covered under our warranty. If you are weighing whether a covered fix qualifies, our sprinkler system repair service can confirm what your warranty covers.
Sprinkler System Winterization: The Warranty Rule You Can't Skip
Here is the clause that matters most: our company must winterize your system to keep your warranty. A proper blowout clears water from every zone, lateral line, and backflow assembly before the first hard freeze; water left in a line expands, splits pipe, cracks valves, and ruins heads, freeze failures, not manufacturing defects, and no parts warranty covers them. Skip professional winterization and you can lose warranty coverage. For a step-by-step look, read 7 steps to prevent frozen sprinkler pipes in Michigan. If you want that protection handled before the season turns, winterize your sprinkler system with our team in Canton, Plymouth, Northville, Livonia, Westland, Redford, and surrounding Wayne County communities.
Common Warranty Exclusions We See on Service Calls
Freeze damage tops the list, but it is not alone.
How to Verify Your Own Warranty Terms
Read the document, not the brochure. Look for three things: the labor term stated separately from the parts term, the maintenance conditions, and the claims process. Ask these questions before you sign anything:
- Is labor covered, and for how long?
- Does the warranty require professional winterization?
- Who is the authorized service provider for claims?
- What voids coverage?
- Is the warranty prorated after a certain date?
If you have a specific question about your coverage, contact us for help. Thinking ahead to spring? Schedule your sprinkler startup and we will flag any winter damage while it is still a covered conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for labor if a part is under warranty?
It depends on your specific warranty terms. At Metro Automated Sprinklers, our warranty covers sprinkler heads for 5 years and electrical components for 2 years, but labor is covered for 1 year. After that first year, you may pay for labor even when the part itself is free. Always ask for the warranty terms in writing before any repair so you know what you owe.
How does professional winterization affect my irrigation system warranty?
Winterization is often a condition of coverage. Metro Automated Sprinklers requires that our company perform your sprinkler system winterization to keep your warranty valid. Scheduling a professional blowout each fall protects both your pipes and your warranty standing.
Are electrical components covered for the same duration as sprinkler heads?
Not usually. Coverage periods can differ by component type. At Metro Automated Sprinklers, sprinkler heads are covered for 5 years, electrical components such as valves and controllers for 2 years, and labor for 1 year. Before you assume a repair is covered, confirm which category the failed part falls into and check the warranty period that applies to it.
A five-year warranty is only as good as its labor clause, and the maintenance that keeps it valid. Metro Automated Sprinklers has protected Southeast Michigan lawns for over 30 years, backing every installation with five-year head coverage, two-year electrical coverage, one-year labor coverage, and top-tier components from Rainbird and Hunter. Get started with Metro Automated Sprinklers and know exactly what your warranty covers before the first freeze.
