Sprinkler Start Up
You’ve undergone the sprinkler blow out to protect your sprinkler system in the winter. Now, as warmer temperatures return to melt the snow on lawns and gardens, it’s time to prepare for underground sprinkler start up in the Sioux Falls, SD area. It’s important to have your sprinkler system ready to go before your yard experiences active growth, and quickly becomes too dry. This keeps your lawn as healthy as possible and ensures efficient use of water resources.
Sprinkler start up after winter
Winter is finally over and it is time to start up the sprinkler system again.
If you live in a region that has harsh winters, the last thing you want to do is wake up to find your lawn and garden wet, soggy and covered with snow. This is why it is important to install an underground sprinkler system before the winter sets in. The underground sprinkler system is a great way to water your lawn and keep it green after the winter.
Checklist for Pre Sprinkler Start Up in Sioux Falls
By following these few basic steps, you won’t have to worry about playing catchup during the growing season:
- Soil Check: It’s important that the ground is thawed to a depth of 1 foot or more before sprinkler start up to avoid damaging pipes should it freeze again. This can be accomplished by digging down with a basic garden shovel and checking that the soil is pliable.
- Controller Inspection: Many spring service calls can be avoided if owners had simply put a fresh backup battery in their controller. You should double check the settings for the correct date and time. In addition, wipe out any cobwebs or dust that may have accumulated over the winter.
- Clean Sprinkler Heads: Dirt and debris can work their way into sprinkler head sand cause blockages. This may inhibit water flow and cause uneven water patterns that flood some areas while ignoring others. Be sure to give them a close inspection and thorough cleaning.
- Look for Worn or Broken Parts: Check for and replace worn or broken parts, such as nozzles, and pipes, and replace leaky valves. Mowers, sweepers and snow blowers can do more damage in a season than you realize. This may ultimately delay underground sprinkler start ups and make it hard to control water bills.
Steps for Sprinkler Start Up Sioux Falls Clients Should Follow
After you’ve checked the integrity of your system’s components and have ensured that Mother Nature has indeed agreed to let Spring stay, these are the next steps to follow for sprinkler start up:
Water Hammer Warning! When the water valve is first opened, it causes a high-pressure surge of water into the system. This is referred to as “water hammer,” because the force of the surge can cause major damage, including burst pipes and broken valves. The key to eliminating water hammer is to open the valve SLOWLY and gradually introduce water into the system.
Control Pressure: Do you have a water pressure gauge on your faucet? If not, you should consider purchasing one. A pressure gauge allows you to monitor the water pressure to make certain it does not exceed the limits of your sprinkler system. Too much pressure may cause damage to pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads and not enough will render your sprinkler system ineffective. Typical pressure limits for proper sprinkler function is between 40 and 65 PSI.
- Using a flathead screwdriver, turn your sprinkler system test ports to the CLOSED
- Make sure the spigot valves both inside and outside your home are CLOSED.
- Turn the water to your sprinkler system on by turning Valve C, inside your home, to the “ON” position.
- Slowly turn Valve A (located below the vacuum breaker) to the “ON” position.
- Located outside, Valve B may also now be moved to the “ON” position.
- The control clock should now be plugged in and turned to “AUTO” or “MANUAL”.