Tips When Starting Up Your Irrigation System

Posted by Joseph Barnes on May 1, 2018 12:00:00 AM

When it comes to the management of your commercial property’s landscape, securing and maintaining an adequate water source is essential. For most commercial property’s landscapes, an automatic irrigation system is an effective method to provide the required amount of water over the property’s landscaped areas. To keep your landscape looking its best, your commercial landscaping service partner must continuously monitor and adjust your property's irrigation system.  Professional monitoring of the system not only helps to maintain plant health, but also helps you conserve water and saves on extra, unneccesary water expenses.

Before Starting Your Irrigation System

Once the snow has disappeared and temperatures begin to warm after the winter season, it is time to recharge your irrigation system. Cold weather is tough on irrigation systems. Water seeps in over the winter, freezes and thaws, and results in damages. Debris clogs the sprinkler heads. And your pump will also require maintenance after a cold winter. You can’t simply turn on the water and hope your irrigation system works like before. Before your service provider restarts your irrigation system in the spring, it’s necessary to know the locations of the system shutoffs. 

Save Water, Save Money and Avoid a Mid-Summer Irrigation Failure

Each irrigation system is different, but all of them are designed on the basis of similar principles. The following are some useful guidelines for restarting your irrigation system in the spring.

Make Sure the Sprinkler Heads are Not Blocked or Damaged

One of the most vulnerable parts of an irrigation system are the sprinkler heads. Dirt can create blockages. Snow shovels or lawn mowers damage them. During the winter, debris can surround and hide them. Clean sprinkler heads are necessary for the even distribution of water across the property. This will keep your landscape green and healthy and prevents water waste. In case of damage, your landscape management company should be able to repair your sprinkler heads, or replace them if necessary.

Check All of the Components of Your Irrigation System

Start by making sure the pump is in operating condition. It is important to check your pump and ensure that it is in the best working condition and supplying enough water to all the zones of the system. Examine all components of your irrigation system to ensure that your irrigation system functions as it should, when the water is switched on. Give extra attention to your backflow prevention device, and—if needed, get it tested. This visual examination also helps evaluate each valve boxes for debris and pest damage. All fittings, which should have been detached during the winter, must now be reattached using fresh tape or compound. Make sure that every valve and drain is open and linked to the water source.

Make Sure To Turn On Water Valve Slowly

The most important step while turning on a commercial irrigation system is to make sure that you turn on the water slowly. This helps prevent any huge water hammer from fully turning on water all at once while protects fittings from bursting or damaging the sprinkler heads. Turning on all the valves at a slow pace will provide enough time for the water to pressurize prior to the opening the valve fully.

Or even easier still, just let our experts at Yellowstone Landscape handle your commercial property’s irrigation and landscape maintenance for you. For further information and about our services, contact us today.

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Joseph Barnes

About The Author

Joseph Barnes

Joseph Barnes has served as Marketing Manager of Yellowstone Landscape since 2013. He writes on a variety of topics related to the commercial landscaping industry.