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In northern locations, where cold weather can damage irrigation systems, water is drained from sprinkler systems in the fall before freezing weather arrives as covered in “How To Winterize A Sprinkler System”.

How To Turn On Sprinkler System

When spring arrives its time to inspect the system, make changes or upgrades, and reactivate or “turn on” the system for the coming growing season.

You will not see a sign saying “Turning On Sprinkler System Here” but your irrigation start up should begin its inspection at the water supply. This is where most sprinkler system troubleshooting begins.

Next you’ll begin moving out to each component in the system, inspecting filters, pumps, meters, values, spinklers and pipes for any wear or damaged parts in need of repair or replacement. In some areas backflow valves are required to be tested regularly.

Irrigation Components Wear Out

Over time irrigation components in a sprinkler system wear out – valves, sprinkler heads and emitters, etc. all have a lifespan. Component longevity depends on many things, use, maintenance, lawn care practices and local weather conditions to name a few.

When “firing up” your sprinkler system and you’ve inspected the irrigation system for wear and tear, do not forget to also include checking plant growth. Plants which have grown in the landscape may now “get in the way” of an irrigation components performance and spray pattern.

Make sure “pop up” sprinklers pop up and are not covered by grass, preventing them from operating. Check to make sure nozzles are spraying straight, not plugged, and cover the areas to be irrigated.

Review Irrigation Controller Settings

Irrigation controller settings need to be reviewed. Go through each irrigation zone to make sure each of the zones with its pre-progammed times is correct. Many times going into the fall season prior to shutting the system down for winter, irrigations zone times are changed or reduced.

Water filters need a thorough inspection and cleaning, as clogged filters reduce pressure to valves, sprinkler heads and watering zones. This translates into less water delivered to the sprinklers, zone and not allowing sprinkler heads to work at optimum performance.

An irrigation checklist makes the whole inspection process good smoother and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

With water restrictions and water conservation coming more front and center, take the opportunity this season to make sure your irrigation system is working at peak performance.

You, your plants, landscape, lawn and irrigation system with all enjoy the outcome and growing season.