After a long winter, spring is finally here. The birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and the season of yard cleanup and outdoor home maintenance has begun.
Before you get too excited, though, remember that we all spent some time dormant over the winter, including your irrigation system. You blew it out and turned it off to protect your pipes from freezing, but now it’s time to turn it back on.
If this is your first spring with an irrigation system, or if you’ve forgotten over the last year, here’s a refresher on safe spring sprinkler system activation.
Spring Sprinkler System Activation: Timing Matters
In Calgary, timing is everything. Our notorious “fool’s spring” can tempt homeowners to turn their systems on early—only to be followed by a deep freeze that can crack pipes and cause costly damage. While the common rule of thumb is to activate your irrigation system on the first Monday in May, it’s often wiser to wait until temperatures are consistently warm and the ground no longer freezes overnight. For many properties, that means holding off until the May long weekend.
If you’re concerned about timing, here are a couple of tricks to help you make the decision:
- The Shovel Test: If you’re eager to start earlier, use a shovel to dig about one foot down in a shaded area of your yard. If the ground is still frozen or the soil is rock-hard, wait another week.
- Watch the Overnights: Do not activate your system until overnight lows are consistently above freezing. A single night at -5°C can cause water trapped in the backflow preventer to freeze and expand, leading to a costly emergency repair.
How to Turn on Your Irrigation System
For our visual learners, watch this video for our step-by-step instructions on how to activate your sprinkler system this spring.
1. Find Your Main Valve
Your main water valve is typically found in your basement or crawl space. Ensure it’s turned off by positioning it perpendicular to the pipe.
2. Set System to Manual
Before testing your sprinkler zones, switch your system to manual mode rather than automatic. This allows you to test each zone individually. If your control panel battery is older than six months, consider replacing it to prevent malfunctions.
For additional guidance, refer to your system’s owner’s manual.
3. Inspect Your Sprinkler Heads
Before turning on your system, visually inspect your sprinkler heads for damage, ice, and debris. Clean or replace any damaged heads to prevent uneven watering and system damage. Don’t forget to have your backflow devices inspected as well.
4. Open Main Valve
Return to the main water valve in your basement or crawl space. Slowly open it just enough to allow water to start flowing. Wait for the water to reach the mainline, then gradually open it minute by minute until fully open.
Be aware: Opening the valve too quickly can create a surge of water, potentially damaging your pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads.
5. Test Zones
With the system in manual mode, test each sprinkler zone from the controller. Ensure all sprinkler heads rotate and spray correctly. Check for leaks and remove any blockages or debris.
If a zone has low pressure, it may indicate a leak or other issue that requires further inspection.
6. Program Controller
Adjust your watering schedule based on weather conditions, seasonal changes, and municipal regulations. Regularly update your controller settings to ensure optimal watering efficiency.
Common Spring Irrigation Mistakes
Avoid these frequent pitfalls to keep your system running efficiently all season long:
- The “Fast Flip”: Turning the main water valve on too quickly. This is the number one cause of DIY system damage.
- Ignoring the Backflow: Failing to inspect the backflow preventer for small hairline cracks that occurred over the winter. These must be tested prior to turning on the irrigation system.
- Setting and Forgetting: Using your mid-summer watering schedule in May. Early spring soil is often already moist from snowmelt. Overwatering now can lead to root rot.
- Skipping the Filter Clean: Sediment often settles in the lines over winter. Failing to flush the system can lead to clogged nozzles and uneven coverage.
Signs You Need Professional Help
Sometimes, a spring startup reveals issues that require an expert’s touch. Call a professional if you notice:
- Geysers or Low Pressure: If one head is shooting water 10 feet in the air while others are barely trickling, you likely have a broken line or a missing nozzle.
- Sputtering Heads: If your sprinklers are coughing air and water long after the system should be pressurized, there may be a leak in the mainline.
- Wet Spots: If a specific area of your lawn is soggy or pooling water even when the system is off, you likely have a weeping valve that isn’t closing properly.
- Controller Error Codes: If your screen shows Sensor, Fault, or Off, there may be a wiring issue caused by winter pests or corrosion.
Spring Sprinkler System Activation Issues? Call the Pros
Save yourself the trouble and call in the professionals at Naiad Irrigation. We’ll ensure your spring sprinkler system activation goes smoothly. We offer worry-free activation along with a diagnostic test of your system.
Our complete activation services include:
- Turning on your irrigation system
- Adjustment of heads and nozzles for optimal coverage
- Timer/controller programming, as needed
- Full visual inspection of the entire system
- Digital checklist that shows the overall health of the system’s components
- Post-inspection consultation if anything else is required
Don’t risk downtime for your sprinkler system this spring. Contact Naiad Irrigation for all your sprinkler system needs.
Book a service or call us today @ 587-200-3994. We provide top-notch services from Irrigation Association-certified professionals.
