Avoid Massive Leaks & Costly Repairs with a Spring Startup

Avoid Massive Leaks & Costly Repairs with a Spring Startup

Hopefully, you shut down your irrigation system for the winter. And even better if you drained all the water from all pipes, heads and backflow prevention devices.

Why is Sprinkler Startup So Important?

No matter how smart your irrigation system is, you should never just flip the switch on in the spring and forget about it. You never know what happened to the buried lines and sprinkler heads during the winter when the system was not running.

If your system runs in the early morning, as it should, you could be unaware of massive leaks or a clogged head until the grass is dead, or a high water bill arrives in your mailbox.

DKC Irrigation Specialists can detect issues before they cause disaster for your lawn and water bill. We activate your sprinkler system, setting up your controller and water schedule.  Most importantly, we inspect your system. Every line, sprinkler head, and part is examined and observed when turned on to ensure there are no damages needing repair or system adjustments required.

Our sprinkler system startup is the best way to protect yourself from unnecessarily high water bills while maintaining a healthy lawn this summer. Along with the inspection, we will provide you with a list of items that need repair or that could be upgraded or adjusted to maximize efficiency. You’ll have all the knowledge you need to make this summer the easiest yet for maintaining a beautiful lawn and landscape.

Top Irrigation Service in Bucks County

How does it work?  What do we do?

Irrigation Start Up

When spring arrives and freezing temperatures subside, it’s time to turn on your irrigation system and prepare the system for the upcoming growing season.  Several important steps are needed to make sure not to damage pipes or irrigation components.

Step 1: Open the system main water valve slowly to allow pipes to fill with water gradually.  If opened too quickly, sprinkler main lines are subjected to high surge pressures, uncontrolled flow and water hammer, which may cause them to crack or burst.

Step 2: Verify the proper operation of each station valve by manually activating and deactivating all zones from the controller.

Step 3: Test each station on the controller, checking for proper operation of the zone. Check for proper operating pressure.  Low pressure could indicate a line break or missing sprinkler. Check proper rotation and adjustment of sprinkler heads. Check for adequate coverage. Check and clean filters and nozzles on poorly performing sprinklers. Adjust heads to grade as necessary (the top of each head should be flush with the ground).

Step 4: Reprogram the controller for automatic watering. Replace the controller back-up battery if necessary.  Have the controller scheduled properly for the right amount of water for each type of sprinkler and plant material and change the schedule based on local weather conditions. Schedule periodic inspections with DKC to ensure proper system functioning, make repairs as needed, and update products when appropriate.

DKC practices NALP best practices for irrigation service. Contact us today at 215-860-5066 so we can help you get a great start to the Spring.

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