How to Start Your Sprinkler System in Spring - Baton Rouge Lawn Sprinklers

Once the temperature begins to warm up and there is no longer a chance of freezing temperatures, you can start up you sprinkler system. De-winterizing your irrigation system in spring is not that difficult. You will need at least a flat head screw driver and some pliers.

1. Make sure your irrigation controller and clock are in the off position.
2. Locate your bronze back flow preventer and check that the test cock valves are perpendicular to the opening.
3. Find the main water shut-off for the irrigation system. Make sure the drain valve next to the irrigation shut off is closed.
4. Slowly turn the main irrigation supply line on. Listen. The water should stop flowing after a few seconds. If it doesn’t, go look outside for water spraying and turn off the valve next to it.
5. Next, go outside and slowly open the ball valve closest to the house. This should pressurize the back flow.
6. Slowly open the other ball valve on the back flow to a 45 degree angle. The irrigation main is pressurizing. This may take about 10 minutes, but it will stop filling at some point.
7. While this is happening, walk around and check for either spraying or pooling water. If you see any, you will need to shut off the water and fix the leak.
8. If there are no leaks, open the ball valve all the way.
9. ​Go to the irrigation controller and run through all the zones.
10. ​Check each zone for leaks and proper coverage.
11. Finally, program your controller.

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You should use infrequent, deep watering cycles when programming your irrigation controller. This promotes better root development and lowers the chance of developing root rot. Allowing your yard a chance to dry out between watering periods also makes weeds less likely to propagate. Following this advice will get you greener and healthier grass that will perform better in the heat of summer.