Spring is Officially Here – Time to Plan for Sprinkler System Start-Up!
Spring sprinkler system start-up requires more than just activating the system controller. Even irrigation systems that underwent a thorough winterization process can still have winter damage. Failure to restart sprinklers properly can damage both the system and the lawn. Follow these five steps from the irrigation pros at Heinen to ensure your sprinkler system is 100% ready for the successful growing season ahead!
Winter can lay a beating on even the most advanced sprinkler heads and sprayers.
1. Inspect Sprinkler Heads
It’s a good idea to inspect the condition of every sprinkler head before turning the system back on. Snow, ice, and even sharp-toothed rodents can cause a world of damage to sprinkler heads over the winter. At best, damaged sprinkler heads diminish the efficiency of the system. And even worse, a faulty head can cause the arc to hit the turf surrounding it.
A clogged or broken nozzle may cause the zone assigned to that sprinkler head to no longer receive enough water. Alternatively, a broken nozzle may allow excess water to escape the sprinkler head – flooding the turf around it instead of evenly dispersing water throughout the zone. Broken sprinkler heads can also adversely affect the water pressure within a system and even cause an underground pipe leak.
2. Clean Up Debris
Over the winter, lawns and landscape beds tend to collect fallen leaves, broken limbs, and other yard waste. Clear away any and all debris within each zone to allow for better absorption of water into the soil, from both the irrigation system and spring rains.
Take extra time to clear the area around each sprinkler head as well. Acorns, misplaced soil, and other debris can obstruct sprinkler heads, making them incapable of conducting their full spray pattern and resulting in uneven watering.
Excessive water pressure can easily crack or burst underground pipes.
3. Turn Water Back on Slowly
When it’s time to release water back into the sprinkler system, the reopening of the water inlet valve should be done slowly to avoid creating what professionals call a “water hammer.” When water is released back into a system too quickly, the sudden and intense amount of pressure can put a strain on multiple important elements of the system. Or, a worst-case scenario may occur – one where supply pipes burst and cause unseen, underground leaks. Slowly opening the main valve allows the system to gradually build up pressure and come back online.
4. Check the Valves
One of the primary ways water leaks from an irrigation system is through leaky or broken valves. At the beginning of each watering season, valves should be inspected for any possible damage. Valve leaks may go unnoticed for weeks – until a shockingly high water bill catches the homeowner’s attention. Valve leaks typically occur when a rubber diaphragm inside the valve has worn down, preventing it from completely sealing. This may also happen if debris has gotten into the system and caused a blockage in the valve itself.
5. Make Any Needed Upgrades
As you complete these spring sprinkler maintenance tasks, you may notice components of the system that are wearing down or have broken entirely. Or, you may notice the system in general does not seem to be performing as well as it did in previous years. Both of these scenarios may be a sign that it’s time to make system upgrades. Many homeowners also choose to upgrade to higher efficiency sprinkler heads or add a Wi-Fi-enabled smart controller. No matter the brand of the system – or even the age of the system – most all irrigation systems can benefit from periodic technology updates and critical parts replacement. And, a few simple upgrades can often save homeowners more than a few dollars on their monthly water bill.
Call KC’s most trusted residential and commercial irrigation team – Heinen Irrigation!
Call Heinen for Help Restarting Your Sprinklers this Spring!
Properly restarting an automated underground turf watering system may seem a little daunting to many. Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone! The irrigation experts at Heinen are eager to assist with spring sprinkler start-ups, ensuring your irrigation system is in peak working condition before the first watering session. And, if you have any sprinkler system upgrades in mind, the Heinen team can also make those happen.
