A sprinkler system is an automated irrigation system that delivers water to plants using a network of pipes, valves, and heads. It is designed to ensure the even distribution of water and promote the healthy growth of plants. The transition of seasons necessitates specific care for irrigation systems to maintain their functionality and prevent damage. As winter gives way to warmer temperatures, the task of reactivating sprinkler systems becomes a priority for homeowners and landscape managers. In this article, learn about sprinkler systems, how to turn on a sprinkler system, how to conserve water, and maintain the system. Understanding the proper procedures and timing can save money on repairs and protect your landscaping investment.
Why Are Sprinklers Turned Off in Winter?
Sprinkler systems are typically deactivated in winter to safeguard against the risks posed by freezing temperatures. Water in the pipes can freeze, leading to expansion likely to crack or burst the pipes. This can result in costly repairs and potential water loss when the system is reactivated in the spring if not properly addressed.
When is the Best Time to Turn the Sprinkler System Back On?
Timing is crucial when it comes to turning your sprinkler system back on. The ideal period is after the threat of frost has passed and consistent warmer weather is established. This usually occurs in early to mid-spring. Activating the system too early can lead to frozen pipes and damaged components if an unexpected freeze occurs.
What Do I Need to Know Before Turning Back on the Sprinkler System?
Before reactivation, a thorough inspection of the entire system is necessary. Look for any visible signs of damage such as cracks in the piping, broken sprinkler heads, or damaged valves. It’s also important to be familiar with the operation of your system, including how to manually open and close valves and the location of the main water shut-off. Calling on a professional is a good idea to make sure the areas you can’t visibly see are functioning like they should.
Tools Needed For Turning On Sprinkler System
To turn on your sprinkler system, you’ll need a few basic tools:
- A flathead and Phillips screwdriver for opening valve boxes and adjusting controllers.
- Channel locks or an adjustable wrench for turning valves and securing fittings.
- A sprinkler head adjustment tool, if applicable, for fine-tuning spray patterns.
- A wire brush can be handy for cleaning debris from sprinkler heads and filters.
- Teflon tape is useful for resealing any threaded connections that may have been opened for repairs.
Prepare to Turn On Your Sprinkler System
Now that you know what you need to turn on a sprinkler system, it is important to know how to prepare the area around the sprinklers. Preparation involves clearing any dirt, leaves, or debris from around the sprinkler heads to ensure unobstructed water flow. It is important to ensure the main water valve is closed to avoid a rush of water into the system that could stir up sediment or cause a high-pressure surge.
Turning the System Back on
We have the materials we need and have cleaned up the area as well as checked that the main water valve is closed. You will need to know the parts of a sprinkler system and then it will be time to turn on the sprinkler system.
1) Gradually Open the Main Valve: Slowly reintroduce water into the system to minimize pressure spikes.
2) Inspect Each Zone Individually: Activate each zone one at a time, checking for proper operation and coverage.
3) Adjust and Clean Sprinkler Heads: Ensure they are clear of debris and direct water accurately.
4) Program the Controller: Set the current date and time, and adjust the watering schedule according to seasonal needs.
5) Test Sensors: Verify that rain sensors or soil moisture sensors are operational to prevent overwatering.
How to Maintain Your Sprinkler System
The sprinkler system is on and watering your lawn, but it is important to make sure that you maintain it. Here are some ideas to maintaining your system.
- Regularly adjusting sprinkler heads to ensure efficient water distribution.
- Conducting periodic checks for leaks or breaks in the system.
- Cleaning filters within the sprinkler heads to prevent clogging.
- Adapting the watering schedule based on seasonal weather conditions and plant requirements.
- Scheduling annual professional inspections to identify and address any hidden issues.
Seasonal Maintenance Tasks for Sprinkler Systems
Proper maintenance of your sprinkler system throughout the year can prevent costly repairs, conserve water, and ensure a healthy landscape. Here’s a breakdown of specific tasks to perform during each season:
Spring Activation and Maintenance
- Inspect and Clean: Check for damage to sprinkler heads, valves, and pipes that may have occurred over the winter. Clean all visible components.
- Slowly Open Valves: Gradually reintroduce water into the system to avoid pressure surges that could cause damage.
- Adjust Sprinkler Heads: Ensure they are correctly aligned for optimal coverage without watering non-vegetative areas.
- Program Controller: Update the irrigation controller with a spring watering schedule that accounts for increased plant growth and potentially higher rainfall.
- Check Sensors: Make sure rain sensors and soil moisture sensors are functioning correctly to prevent overwatering.
Summer Maintenance
- Monitor Weather Patterns: Adjust the watering schedule based on rainfall and temperature changes to avoid over or under-watering.
- Inspect Regularly: Look for signs of leaks, clogged nozzles, or misaligned sprinkler heads that can occur with frequent use.
- Prune Vegetation: Keep plants trimmed back from sprinkler heads to prevent blockage and ensure even distribution of water.
- Cycle and Soak: Implement cycle-and-soak irrigation methods to allow water to penetrate the soil and reduce runoff, especially on slopes or in heavy soils.
Fall Preparation
- Reduce Watering Frequency: As temperatures drop and plant growth slows, adjust the irrigation schedule accordingly.
- Prepare for Winterization: Towards the end of fall, start planning for the winterization of your system to prevent freeze damage.
- Inspect and Repair: Address any issues such as leaks or broken parts before the system is shut down for the winter.
Winterization Procedures
- Shut Off Water Supply: Completely turn off the water supply to the irrigation system.
- Drain Pipes: Use manual, automatic, or blow-out methods to remove water from the pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads.
- Insulate Above-Ground Components: Protect any above-ground components, including backflow preventers and pumps, with insulation materials to prevent freezing.
- Deactivate Controller: Either power down the irrigation controller or switch it to “rain mode” if available.
More Tips for Water Conservation
- Install a Smart Controller: Upgrade to a smart irrigation controller that adjusts watering based on weather conditions, soil moisture levels, and evapotranspiration rates.
- Optimize Watering Schedule: Water during the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler to reduce evaporation. Avoid watering on windy days.
- Use Drip Irrigation: For non-turf areas, consider using drip irrigation systems which deliver water directly to the plant roots, reducing evaporation and runoff.
- Incorporate Rainwater Harvesting: Collect rainwater in barrels or cisterns and use it for irrigation, which conserves tap water and lowers utility bills.
- Select Drought-Tolerant Plants: Choose native or drought-resistant plants that require less water, reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
- Mulch Garden Areas: Apply mulch around plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and reduce the need for watering.
- Regularly Check for Leaks: Even small leaks can waste a significant amount of water over time. Regular inspections can catch and address these issues promptly.
- Adjust Sprinklers to Avoid Waste: Ensure that sprinklers are not watering sidewalks, driveways, or other hardscapes where water is not needed.
- Implement Zone Watering: Divide your landscape into separate irrigation zones so that grass, shrubs, and flowers can be watered according to their specific needs.
- Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about water conservation techniques and share this knowledge with neighbors and community members.
A malfunctioning sprinkler system can have several negative environmental impacts, which underscore the importance of regular maintenance and prompt repairs. The most immediate impact of a malfunctioning sprinkler system is the waste of water. Leaks, broken heads, or valves that fail to close properly can lead to significant water loss. This not only depletes valuable water resources but also increases the demand on municipal water supply systems and can lead to higher utility costs for property owners.
Soil Erosion
Excessive water flow from a malfunctioning system can cause soil erosion, stripping away fertile topsoil and altering the landscape. This can lead to sedimentation in nearby waterways, which affects water quality and aquatic habitats.
Overwatering and Nutrient Runoff
Overwatering due to improperly programmed controllers or failing sensors can result in too much water being applied to the landscape. This can lead to nutrient runoff, where fertilizers and pesticides are washed into local streams, rivers, and lakes, potentially causing algal blooms and harming aquatic ecosystems.
Plant Health
Plants that receive too much or too little water due to a malfunctioning system can experience stress, making them more susceptible to diseases and pests. Overwatered plants may suffer from root rot or fungal growth, while underwatered plants can become dry and weak.
Energy Consumption
If the malfunction involves the pumping system working overtime to compensate for leaks or other inefficiencies, this can lead to increased energy consumption. The additional energy required to operate a faulty system contributes to larger carbon footprints and unnecessary strain on power resources.
Habitat Disruption
Improperly directed or excessive water can disrupt local habitats by creating conditions that are unsuitable for native species. It can also encourage the growth of invasive plant species that outcompete native flora, leading to a loss of biodiversity.
To mitigate these environmental impacts, it is crucial to conduct regular inspections and maintenance of your sprinkler system. Addressing issues promptly not only conserves water and protects the environment but also ensures a healthy and vibrant landscape.
Sprinkler and Lawn Information to Know
Now that you know about turning on your system, there are a few other areas of maintenance. One of those is turning off the system. To do this, you will power down the controller and handle the backflow device, shut off the main water supply, and drain the pipes.
Another is how long to run drip irrigation on shrubs. This is important to know as you don’t want to water too much or too little. Unfortunately, this can result in damaging the shrubs. It depends on the type of soil that you have, but it is usually about one time per week. If you have sandy soil, it is 30-45 minutes, 1 -2 times per week. Loam soil is 60 minutes, 1 time per week, and clay soil is 90 minutes, 1 time every 1-2 weeks. Pay attention to the moisture in the soil as well and that will help you determine how much watering is needed.
Lastly, you will want to know when it is too late to fertilize the lawn. It is a good idea to try to fertilize in the late fall, spring, or late spring and early summer. This is because once the temperature drops in winter you won’t need to fertilize.
When to Call a Professional
Professional assistance should be sought when you encounter problems beyond basic maintenance, such as persistent leaks, or electrical issues, or if you lack confidence in handling any part of the system’s operation. Professionals can also provide valuable advice on system upgrades and efficiency improvements.
Take a look below at how to turn on an irrigation system.
Conclusion
A well-maintained sprinkler system is key to ensuring the health and beauty of your landscape. By carefully managing the seasonal transition of your irrigation system, you can prevent damage, conserve water, and enjoy a vibrant outdoor space. Remember to stay vigilant with regular maintenance and don’t hesitate to call in experts when necessary to keep your system running smoothly. While you are taking care of the sprinkler system, it is a good time to call on Bentley Home Inspection team for a home inspection in East Tennessee, and surrounding areas.
