11
2020 Spring Home & Garden
Sprinkler Maintenance
Many Americans who appreciate a luscious, full lawn
throughout the spring and summer turn to sprinkler or
irrigation systems. To perform at peak performance, they
will require attention before being open for the year.
If you don’t have one but are considering adding it to
your yard, professional installation is the most practical
option. An expert will prepare trenches while ensuring
utility lines aren’t compromised and correctly install
needed components like piping, controllers and valves.
When the ice and frost are gone, here are some ways to
prepare your sprinkler or irrigation system for its busy
season.
Welcome Spring
Before you can begin using your sprinkler system this
spring, it’s important to ensure the winter weather is
gone and temperatures will remain steady. According to
the group Direct Energy, attempting to allow water to
run while the ground is still frozen could result in busted
pipes during the startup process, or hours later. You can
test the condition of the ground below by digging at least
a foot into the soil in an area away from the underground
tubing. If you strike frozen dirt, plan to delay the de-win-
terizing project.
Analyze the Control Panel
The brains behind your irrigation system are typically
installed outdoors. Make sure you follow the directions
explained by the installer and confi rm settings are accu-
rate for time, date and zones. You should also check the
integrity of backup batteries if your sprinklers rely on
them. If you are concerned about their perfor-
mance or age, visit a battery specialist in your
area and have them tested to determine how
much life they have left.
Opening the Main Valve
With the pre-maintenance performed, slowly open the
main valve until you can hear water begin to fl ow. Allow
this to steadily fi ll into the main line before slightly open-
ing the valve every few minutes. Doing this too quickly
can lead to expensive errors like busted pipes or valves.
Clean Sprinkler Heads
Depending on the number of sprinkler heads
you have, this may prove to be the most
time-consuming portion of the entire process.
Analyze each component for signs of dam-
age and replace the parts before attempting to
engage the system. Use an old toothbrush to
effectively clean each nozzle to ensure they dis-
tribute water evenly to their designated zones.
Make sure valves are closed after cleaning,
except the nozzle farthest from the main water
source, it should remain open to allow air to
escape during startup.
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SPRING Home & Garden
May7, 2020
12
2020 Spring Home & Garden
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