Irrigation Startup: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

We are officially one week into Spring, and though the Kansas weather might not always support that fact, it's nevertheless time to do all the things we do to prepare our yards for the most verdant of seasons! Naturally, that will involve some cleanup and maintenance, not to mention new plant installations. But let's remember the basics! We also must meet our lovely plants' basic requirements! In Spring, for water, your landscape needs irrigation startup. We don't have a more basic need than water to meet, and with irrigation the most consistent way to do that, it's a no-brainer for your yard. But why is startup worth mentioning? Don't you just turn it on? What could go wrong? Unfortunately, it's more than just a matter of flipping a switch or turning a dial.

What Does Startup Involve?

Irrigation startup is, in some ways, pretty similar to irrigation shutdown but in reverse. You must carefully go through several steps to ensure there are no issues with your irrigation before you begin running it regularly again.

Venting

If you're familiar with irrigation shutdown, then venting your system will be expected to you. Venting forces air through your system to ensure there is nothing that will block your water from exiting. Not every irrigation system requires the same type of venting method, so you must understand what you have. For example, if you force air through a system with automatic venting, you may damage it. Part of venting is opening your valves and turning your sprinkler heads to the "on" position.

Adjust the Water Pressure

If you haven't driven a car for a long time, you don't test it out going 70 on the highway. Similarly, when your irrigation has been dormant for months, you don't want to start it at full pressure. Starting at full pressure can create a water shock wave called a "water hammer," which can not only damage your system but even hurt the people who are checking it.

Turn on the Water and Fill the System

When you turned down your irrigation system, you emptied it. Now it's time to fill it back up with water. Like our car analogy, it's best to do this slowly. We will begin with the sprinklers on before turning them off again as the water reaches them. This will help us to let any air that has not been vented escape. As the system fills, Divine will monitor it as the water reaches each new spot in the system. We will look for leaks, malfunctions, and other issues as the system fills. Unsurprisingly it's better to find these problems when the system isn't at full water pressure!

Turn On the Sprinklers!

Now it's time to see how the sprinklers themselves are operating. We'll start at a lower pressure before slowly increasing it to ensure no water flow problems. Now we take the time to examine your system as it operates. While it may be tempting to do it quickly, taking your time is essential for doing a good job here and noticing anything that may not be obvious at a glance.

Make Repairs

One common mistake people make with irrigation startups is leaving repairs for later. It's understandable why you might want to turn off a sprinkler or close a valve immediately to stop a leak. The problem with that, though, is your sprinklers only help your lawn if they're operating! Divine takes the time to repair your system as part of our irrigation startup service.

Why Hire Pros for Irrigation Startup?

Irrigation systems are complex creatures. With Youtube at everyone's fingertips, there are many projects we can DIY. However, we caution against that with irrigation startups. It's better to have well-trained professionals work on your system. We understand the subtle differences between one model and another. And while videos show you how to do something, they generally don't account for every possible problem. Directions can teach you how to do something but not how to think about and understand something. That makes Youtube great for an art project but not as ideal for something that can damage your property if done incorrectly. If there is a problem with your irrigation system during startup, it's something you'll want to address in real-time. The pro at Divine knows how to do that. So we know what to watch for and how to handle it. So let Divine intervene before you have any problems!