Steps To Take in Spring for Irrigation Maintenance

12/31/2018 (Permalink)

After a long winter in Eason, OK, spring brings with it the promise of new growth. In order to achieve this growth and see landscape flourish, it is time to turn those winterized sprinklers back on. The winterization process is an important step in irrigation maintenance, but it is also very important to make sure you take the necessary steps before turning your sprinkler system back on. Making sure you do a thorough check of your system can aid in avoiding unwanted sprinkler flooding. Use the following steps as a guide.

1. Inspect Sprinkler Heads

Sprinkler heads are the most prominent part of your sprinkler system. The fact that they reside above ground means they can easily be broken. It is important to check that all sprinkler heads are in place and in good working order. A missing head can lead to a geyser of water shooting out, resulting in flooding. Simply replace any broken or missing heads.

2. Turn Your Water On Slowly

When it comes time to turn your sprinklers back on, you want to ensure you turn the water on at the valve slowly. Turning the water on too fast can cause pressure issues in your pipes that can lead to a burst. Allowing the water to flow slowly into the pipes avoids pressure buildup.

3. Check the Pipes

Checking the pipes is usually the most important part of your irrigation maintenance. With the pipes being underground, it can be difficult to check them. Once you have turned your sprinkler system back on, keep an eye on the system. If water is bubbling up around a sprinkler head, or if you see a sunken area on the ground, these are key signs that your pipes may need to be fixed. The most obvious sign is flooding and pooling. If pipes are not promptly fixed, they can require water damage repair.

Irrigation maintenance is paramount to keeping your sprinkler system in good working order. Fixing issues now can save a headache down the road.