How to start up your irrigation system after winter?
How to start up your irrigation system after winter?
In spring, when temperatures rise and the weather forecast no longer predicts a significant drop, it is time to restart the irrigation system. It often seems that spring has already arrived, while the ground is still frozen beneath the surface. It is best to do a test and use a spade to check whether the ground is already thawed at a depth of about 30 cm. If so, you can proceed.
Spring start-up should be carried out very thoroughly to avoid problems later in the season. This work can be outsourced to specialists, but it can also be done on your own. It is important to remember a few basic rules, as simply turning on the water supply without first checking the condition of the installation can sometimes result in an unpleasant surprise, such as an unexpected eruption of water from one of the system’s components.
Starting up your irrigation system after winter – step by step
First, tighten all the solenoid coils that we opened for the winter to drain the water from the system.
As a rule, the coils need to be turned 90 degrees clockwise. If you are unsure how to do this, it is always best to consult the manual. You should also close all manual valves that were opened for the winter.
Open the main water supply valve.
Remember to do this slowly, preferably only to a quarter or half at first. This will prevent a sudden increase in pressure (at this stage, it may exceed the set pressure several times over) in the filling system, which could result in burst pipes or even sprinklers being torn out of the system. When you hear that the water has stopped flowing from the valve, it means that the main supply system has been filled. At this point, you can inspect the system for possible leaks. These may be visible in the form of water accumulating on the ground or in the solenoid valve box. It is also worth checking that all electrical connections (power supply, coil connections, sensor contacts, etc.) are correct. Corroded wires are one of the most common causes of irrigation system malfunctions.
The next step is to manually start each section of the irrigation system in turn.
Open the dripper line ends to flush any impurities out of the system. Please note that it may take up to several minutes to completely fill each section. After closing the drip line ends again, you can check each section for leaks and repair any leaks.
In the case of static sprinklers, check the filters and nozzles for blockages.
If no changes have been made to the planting layout since the previous season, there is usually no need to do anything. However, it is always a good idea to check the angles and ranges of the sprinklers. If there has been any deregulation, we make any necessary adjustments. It is also a good idea to thoroughly clean the nozzles of turbine sprinklers (e.g. with an old toothbrush) to avoid the formation of areas where water cannot reach due to clogging with dirt, gravel, sand or soil. In newly planted gardens, the ground may also settle after winter, along with the sprinklers installed in it. In this case, it may be necessary to adjust their range.
In the case of drip lines, we thoroughly check their condition, checking for abrasions, perforations (especially at bends) and whether water flows freely through all emitters.
If we find any irregularities, it may be necessary to replace the entire drip line or only some of its sections.
In irrigation systems for container plants, we check the operation of micro-sprinklers or drippers – water flow and tightness at the connection points with the hoses.
Due to temperature differences and exposure to sunlight, leaks and hose endings coming loose often occur in such places.
If all components and sections of the irrigation system are working properly after a manual check, you can proceed to check the controller.
First, replace the battery that stores the previous settings and clean the entire device of dirt and dust. Next, set the irrigation schedule and the time and amount of water, making the necessary adjustments, taking into account, among other things, the requirements of the plants and the assumed water expenditure budget. It is worth investing in a device to measure the water pressure in the supply system. Sometimes, upgrades to the local water supply infrastructure result in changes in the pressure in the network.
Do not forget about the rain sensor – after winter, it is worth cleaning it thoroughly.
Similarly, in spring, it is a good idea to check the condition of the main filter of the system and clean it if necessary.
After checking each section separately, it is a good idea to run a full programme and check again that everything is working as it should.
If so, we can usually forget about the irrigation system until it is time to prepare it for the next winter.
