How to Start Up Your Sprinkler for Spring

Posted on March 28th, 2016

Spring has sprung, but have your sprinklers? If not, now is the perfect time to start up your sprinkler system for the season, and here’s how you can do it.

1. Test the soil. Before you start watering, you want to make sure that your soil is ready to receive water. Push a shovel at least one foot into the ground to make sure that it’s thawed. You don’t want to risk frozen pipes!
   
2. Reset the controller. Make sure that the battery in your system controller is still functioning, and switch it out if you have to. Check that all settings are still accurate, and make any adjustments where you see fit.
   
3. Clean your sprinkler heads. Before trying to shoot water through your seasonally idle sprinkler heads, make sure to remove and built up debris. Rocks, dirt and sand can wedge themselves into your sprinklers and disrupt the flow of water.
   
4. Perform any repairs. Thoroughly check your system’s nozzles, valves, sprinkler heads and pipes. If you notice that any components are missing or have suffered damage throughout the winter, make sure to replace them right away.
   
5. Detect any leaks. A leaky valve can cause your water bill to skyrocket, so be sure to inspect it carefully. Then, before turning on the water, make sure all manual drain valves have been closed as well to avoid water waste.
   
6. Prepare for pressure. When your sprinkler kicks on for the first time the water can enter the pipes with damaging force. To be sure that you don’t disrupt your sprinkler system, oven the water valve very slowly to avoid what’s known as “water hammer.” Once opened, make sure that the water pressure is not too high and install a regulator if necessary. As a rule of thumb your pressure should be between 40-65 PSI.

Even with the most detailed instructions, starting up your sprinkler system can be difficult and one simple mistake can cause a huge headache and cost a whole lot of money. That’s why we recommend you give Turf Unlimited a call, and let the pros handle all the dirty work instead!

For more information about our lawn care and sprinkler system services, call 888-649-9919 today.