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Startup Tips

Turn the controller and the water on and that should be good enough, right? WRONG! There is more to the proper startup of your irrigation system. Here are the steps you should take, in the suggested order:

1. Vacuum breaker. Turn both valves on the vacuum breaker off. There is one going in and one going out; make sure they are both perpendicular to the pipe.
   
   
2. Plugs and drips. Install the plug into the end of the pipe. You may want to wrap it with Teflon tape to prevent it from dripping. Drips are not good.
   
   
3. Water on! Time to turn the water on. The valve is usually in the basement by your water meter or pump pressure tank. You may even have one of our green tags on it.
   
   
4. Leaks and check. Be sure to go back outside and check for any leaks. (Remember, drips are no good.) To start the water flowing, turn the valve going into the vacuum breaker all the way on. The vacuum breaker will go thump, thump and water might come out of the top of the bell, but don't be alarmed, the valve is just seating.
   
   
5. Turn on the other valve. When it stops thumping and squirting (seating), you can then turn the valve on the other side of the vacuum breaker to "on", slowly. If you turn it on too fast the water will rush into the system and could blow off fittings, or damage your valves and sprinkler heads. This is also not a good thing because these problems may not be apparent until later in the season.
   
   
6. Turn it up! When the water slows down at the 1/2 open rate, the main line will fill up and then you can turn the valve open all the way. The water should stop running; you should be able to hear it.
   
   
7. Test time! You then go to the controller and turn on a cycle, make sure all the heads come up and turn in the right direction, and adjust as needed. Most of the older heads only have a 3" or 4" rise up; make sure they come up over the normal grass cutting height. Believe it or not, the heads don't move further down into the ground. The grass moves upwards! Grass clippings and road sand build up the soil, allowing the grass to grow high enough to block the spray and preventing your lawn from getting the water coverage it needs. This is also the time to check for any leaks in the system.

We also provide this service to you, so if we can be of any help, please give us a call, or send us your spring contract and we will set an appointment for you.

We look forward to helping in making your lawn beautiful this season!

-Rick Walter