When Should I Start Preparing My Irrigation System for Spring?

While it’s winter now, before you know it, spring will be here. The best time to begin thinking about landscaping and lawn care is now while you still have plenty of time to plan before the weather heats up. By following some simple irrigation system maintenance steps, you can have the beautiful lawn you’ve been dreaming of this summer.

Let’s take a look at the crucial steps involved with spring preparation for irrigation systems.

Winterize your system

If you haven’t done so already, you need to make sure that your system is ready for below-freezing temperatures. That’s because cold weather can result in the irrigation system freezing, which can cause serious damage to the system’s components and water lines.

To avoid this hassle, drain all the water out of the system, and ensure that all exposed pipes and fixtures are insulated. A specialist will be able to provide comprehensive winterization services to make the process as easy as possible.

Irrigation system maintenance

Regular inspections of your irrigation system will ensure that it’s in tip-top shape. Excessive precipitation, debris and inclement weather during the fall and winter months are liable to clog and damage sprinkler heads and irrigation systems. Whenever there’s a problem with the system, it’s a smart idea to have it repaired right away. Ignoring these issues doesn’t mean they’ll go away; in fact, it will likely lead to more costly repairs down the line.

Activating the irrigation in the spring

When it’s time to begin irrigating your lawn, the first step is to find the backflow preventer. Once you have that, reattach it to the place where it was removed from. Pay attention to the direction the water is flowing in so that you avoid installing the device the wrong way. Once you’ve attached it, close all the test cocks; then open the shutoff valves, and tighten the bolts surrounding the diaphragm.

Go to the system’s control panel, and turn it on. Schedule water to run as needed. The right watering schedule will keep your plants healthy while not adding undue cost from wasted water. Manually run the first irrigation zone before you turn on the water. Keeping the valve open will reduce the chance of damage caused by water filling the system.

Adding water to the equation

Find the main water shutoff valve, and turn it on gradually. If you switch on the water too fast, this could damage various components of the system. After a few minutes, the activated zone should begin performing as usual. Check around for any pooling or bubbling from the ground, which could be indicators of a leak. Then complete a visual inspection of all the system’s parts to ensure they’re working properly.

We hope this guide to spring preparation for irrigation has been helpful. For the leading irrigation specialist, turn to B&M Pump Irrigation Sales & Service, Inc. We offer high-quality, customized irrigation solutions. We ensure all our clients’ irrigation systems work exactly as intended. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Categorised in: Irrigation