It’s time to restore the lawn to its glorious spring green when the dreadful winter season finally gives way to the lovely spring waking. Restarting your sprinkler system shouldn’t be too difficult if it is not operating during the winter.
Let’s begin learning how to turn on sprinklers after winter.
Step-By-Step Guide How To Turn On Sprinklers After Winter
It’s important to check the timing of your sprinkler system before turning it on in the spring. A costly sprinkler repair could result from damaging sprinkler components if the ground is still frozen. Dig a foot or so into the ground if you’re unsure. Wait for more consistent warm weather if it’s frozen. Your sprinklers should only be turned on after the last bit of frost.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to turn on sprinklers after winter.
Step #1: Check For Damage
In the winter, sprinkler heads, valves, and pipelines are subjected to harsh weather conditions, even if your sprinkler system has been adequately winterized. Make sure there is no winter damage. Go around your yard to clean the sprinkler heads of any dirt or debris, and check the drains, valves, pipes, and associated components surrounding your backflow preventer, drain valves, and main valve.
You might not notice problems until it’s time to turn it on because even the tiniest amount of frozen water remaining in the system might cause fissures.
Step #2: Check If The Ground Has Warmed Up
Check and ensure that the ground has sufficiently thawed after the winter frost. Digging at least one foot into the ground will be necessary. Give it a week or two more if there are still indications of frost. Turning on the sprinkler system while the ground is still frozen can lead to equipment damage and fissures. If you can’t wait much longer to water, use a traditional hose.
Weekly checks for ground frost are recommended. It’s time to proceed to the following stage if the soil is clear of frost.
Step #3: Locate Your Main Shut-Off Valve
Main Shut-Off valves are typically located in your crawl space or basement. Check the area close to the ground level for any piping entering the house. One shutoff valve, often a ball valve with a lever-style handle, should be part of that piping. Check the sprinkler system valve boxes throughout the yard if there isn’t a sprinkler system shutoff inside your home.
The shutdown valve, which has a cross-shaped handle, may be located inside a ground box, a huge pipe, or below ground level.
Step #4: Turn On The Solenoid Valves And Turn Off The Vacuum Breakers
Turn off the two vacuum breaker stop valves on either side of the vacuum breaker valve to restart the sprinkler system. The ones that are parallel to the pipes will be the ball valves. To prevent water from passing through, you must turn off the vacuum breaker valve.
The vacuum breaker valve can be turned 45 degrees counterclockwise to make the valves perpendicular to the pipes. Next, rotate the solenoid valves, which include the valve at the top of the vacuum breaker shown below, 90 degrees counterclockwise.
Step #5: Check The Sprinkler Heads
Check the condition of each sprinkler head; if any are damaged or obstructed, this helps to avoid pressure buildup.
Next, use a toothbrush or tiny brush to give the nozzles a thorough cleaning. Blockages in the sprinkler heads can affect the spray pattern and prevent some lawn areas from receiving water.
Step #6: Turn On The Water Slowly
Find the main valve that links your home water supply and sprinkler system. After that, open it slowly. Do this slowly until you can hear the water running through. Give the water ten minutes or so to flow into the mainline.
When it’s time, open the valve slightly wider every five minutes until it opens all the way.
Step #7: Perform A Manual Test
After completing the aforementioned steps, program the system’s timer to manually test each sprinkler zone. Spend roughly three to five minutes running each zone. As each zone activates, keep an eye on the sprinkler heads to make sure everything is operating as it should. If there are any issues, note them down and/or take pictures of them so you can fix them. When they first switch on, you’ll probably notice an air and water splutter. This is typical and should end in around 60 seconds.
Step #8: Get Ready To Spray!
Fix any issues you discovered during the manual test. Next, replace any damaged sprinkler heads or modify the spray patterns. When watering for the first time with a sprinkler system, you can observe the entire system to ensure everything is operating as it should.
If all is fine, remember that water conservation is usually achieved by watering at night, early in the evening, or in the morning before the day’s heat.
Take Note!
The most crucial step in how to turn on sprinklers after winter is to turn on the water very gradually. Turning it on too rapidly could result in a shock wave, which is a sudden change in the flow of water. That might cause fittings to burst or even cause some sprinkler heads on the system to pop off. Slowly opening the system shutdown valve permits the system to gradually pressurize.
Conclusion
There are several procedures to follow when turning on a lawn sprinkler system in the spring to guarantee optimal operation and water distribution. Check the system, turn on the water, look for leaks, and then check it once more while it’s operating. Spending a few minutes preparing your sprinkler system for spring will allow you to enjoy months of effortless watering.
Make sure everything is set up correctly and the heads are providing enough coverage by keeping an eye on your system while it runs as it begins the season.
If you follow these steps on how to turn on sprinklers after winter, you can guarantee optimal performance throughout the watering season and turn on your lawn sprinkler system in the spring without hiring a professional to do it for you.