4 Things You Should Do Before You Turn Your Sprinkler System Back on

2/22/2021 (Permalink)

Get your sprinkler system ready for spring.

For businesses located in climates with cold winter weather, shutting down the sprinkler system in the fall and then turning it back on in the spring is a good irrigation maintenance practice. However, there are some steps you should take before turning your sprinklers back on.

4 Steps to Take Before Turning Your Sprinkler System Back On 

1. Inspect the Sprinkler Stations

Before you fire your sprinkler system up for the first time, check each sprinkler station. If you find any problems, such as uncontrolled spraying, water pressure issues or sprinkler flooding, make repairs before you turn the system back on.

2. Open the Water Valves

Shutting off the water to your sprinkler system is an important part of winter irrigation maintenance. To get your system ready for use in the spring, open the valves back up. When you open the valves, do so slowly. Opening the valves too quickly can cause a surge of high pressure into the hoses. If something goes wrong and your property is damaged by water from your sprinkler system, consider contacting a water mitigation company in Roanoke Rapids, NC, to assist with the cleanup process.

3. Maintain Your Weather Sensor

If your sprinkler system has a weather sensor that detects when it is raining, it may need some cleaning to work properly. Winter weather can cause dirt and debris to build up on the sensors, which can impair function.

4. Reset Timers

The timers that control when your sprinkler system runs may have retained their settings over the winter, but they may also have reset. To start the season, it is a good idea to set your system to run when you can observe it to make sure everything is working correctly. You can adjust the timers to your preferred watering schedule later.

Winterizing your sprinkler system is an important part of irrigation maintenance. However, getting the system ready for spring isn't as simple as just turning it back on. These four steps can help you get your system running smoothly.