Prevent Damage to Irrigation Equipment: Proper Spring Preparation

Introduction

Winter's harsh conditions can wreak havoc on even the most well-maintained irrigation systems. Frozen pipes, cracked components, and misaligned sprinkler heads are just a few of the issues that can arise. That's why, as temperatures warm and the growing season approaches, it’s essential to perform a thorough spring startup check, and necessary maintenance, on irrigation equipment. 

 

This guide will walk you through the critical steps of preparing your irrigation equipment for spring, ensuring you avoid costly repairs, and that your irrigation equipment performs optimally. As a bonus, save our spring preparation checklist (at the bottom of this article) to refer back to later. 
 

Pre-Start-Up Checks

Before starting up your irrigation system for the spring, the weather is the first thing to consider. If the ground is still frozen, turning irrigation equipment on could damage components and lead to expensive repairs. To avoid this damage, wait until after the last frost before setting up your system. If you’re wondering how to know if the last frost has passed, the farmer's almanac should have some insight, or you could simply wait for more consistently warm weather. 

When it’s time to set up your irrigation equipment and turn on your water, the first thing to do is execute a thorough inspection. We’ll get into how to perform that next. 

Irrigation Equipment to Inspect

Visual Inspection: Look for broken sprinkler heads, damaged pipes, and any signs of wear and tear.

Backflow Preventer: Before turning your controller on, be sure to find your backflow prevention device. One example of a backflow prevention device is a pressure vacuum breaker (PVB), which is an essential component of irrigation systems. Ensure this protective device functions properly to prevent contaminated water from entering your home's water supply. Most sprinkler systems have a PVB located outdoors either next to an exterior wall or enclosed in a recessed box in the ground. Some systems have PVBs indoors, usually in a basement or crawl space, near the water shutoff for the irrigation system. It’s necessary to control the flow of the water before turning the system back on. To see which direction the water is flowing, there’s an arrow on the PVB. Before continuing with the inspection, close the valve on the PVB completely. Next, locate the isolation valve (between the water meter and the backflow prevention device), remove its cover, and turn it on. Next, go back to your PVB and turn its valve on. Check for leaks.

Controller Verification: Double-check the settings and schedule on your irrigation controller. Reset watering schedules to reflect the season’s watering needs based on what your water supplier recommends on the controller’s label. Now is also a good time to check the battery on your controller. Next, set your controller to run a test cycle, and make note of any sprinklers that might be out of alignment, any that need to be raised or lowered, or any that aren’t functioning properly readmore....