Starting up your irrigation system for the first time each spring is always a little worrisome for homeowners. While it seems like a task you can easily handle, the timing is crucial, and there is actually a lot that can go wrong after it’s been dormant all winter. Starting too early can damage your system, and starting too late can mean your lawn is not getting the irrigation it needs early enough in the growing season. Hiring an irrigation specialist to start-up your system for you this time of year has many benefits.

Plastic sprinkler irrigating flower bed on grass lawn with water in summer garden.

Spring is the Time to Start-Up Your System

The best time of year to start your sprinkler system really depends on the weather. The ideal time can change from year to year. Ultimately, the decision of when to start your system comes down to frost. You want to wait until the temperatures consistently remain above freezing overnight. You need to make sure that you don’t start your system until the risk of a hard frost has passed, as a hard frost can seriously damage your lines once the system is on. In this region, that typically means sometime between mid April-June.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional for Your Irrigation System Start Up

Some homeowners feel that they can handle doing the sprinkler irrigation start up, and, barring any issues, it is possible. However, many homeowners won’t recognize some common issues right away, and if left unchecked, can lead to bigger problems later. Starting the system can be difficult to monitor as pressure builds up, and then, once the system is ready, every different zone must be activated and monitored manually for damage sustained to any of the heads or lines over the winter. It’s not as easy as flipping a switch. For this reason, hiring a professional to do your sprinkler irrigation system start up is a smart idea. This will take the worry out of your hands and allow the experts, with extensive experience and knowledge, to handle your system and monitor it for any potential issues. The professionals know exactly what they are looking for and they know how to handle it.

Now is the Time for Irrigation System Repair

Problems with your irrigation system can be easily identified when the system is started up in the spring. This is when you can easily check for leaks, broken heads, and cracked lines. If your system needs repair, spring is the best time to do it. It’s important to address any issues that need repair as soon as possible. A professional will know what to do if a problem is detected, and can handle the repair right away, before the season is underway. If a repair is not addressed at start-up, it will often turn into a much more substantial and costly repair. If you have a professional handle the start-up, they can do any necessary repairs and replace any worn out or broken parts on the spot.

Yes, you can start your system yourself in the spring. But hiring a professional for both start-up, maintenance, and shut-down in the fall will make your system even more efficient and will help it last longer. You can count on our knowledgeable and experienced irrigation system maintenance services to keep your system running great all season. To learn more about how we can help you keep your lawn and landscape looking its best, contact Sprinkler Pro today!