Steps for Irrigation Management

As summer has arrived, is your irrigation management system up and running? One of the biggest aspects to ensuring the success of your landscaping efforts is guaranteeing that your plants and grass will receive enough water throughout the hotter months of summer. To do this, many in Blaine rely on irrigation management systems. As local experts in sprinklers and irrigation management, we have compiled a list of steps to make sure your irrigation management system is ready for use all spring and summer long!

1. Test the Soil

When it’s time to set up your irrigation management system, before even flushing the sprinkler system – first check that the soil beneath your lawn is frost-free, at least 12 inches deep. This can be done with a shovel. If the soil is rock hard, wait until the weather warms up further.

This is especially important if done in early spring, rather than summer.

2. Check the Controller

Check the settings on your irrigation system controller. Now is the time to ensure that the time and date are properly set and that the settings are programmed to match your desired schedule.

3. Remove Obstructions

Once you have confirmed that the soil is not frozen and the controller is set - be sure to remove any rocks, dirt or other debris that have collected in the pipes in the off-season by flushing the system.

4. Check for Damage

Check for issues by running your system. Are there broken valves that aren’t spraying as they should? Is water pooling somewhere due to a leak in a pipe? Any problems should be remedied before using your irrigation management system, so be sure to call a professional right away.

5. Check Valves

Confirm that each valve is working properly by turning on each zone one by one. By isolating the zones, you can easily identify which zone, if any, is causing problems.

6. Open Street Valve

Slowly open the main valve to fill the pipes. The key word here is “slowly”. Moving too quickly can cause damage to your system due to sudden changes in pressure.

7. Test Water Pressure

Finally, make sure that each section of grass and all plants are receiving water! This can be done by ensuring that the pressure is at a safe operating range and is sufficient for the task at hand.

Or you can simplify the whole process down to one simple step:

1. Hire Classic Lawnscape for Irrigation Management

Or keep it simple and just call Classic Lawnscape! We will turn a seven step process into one easy solution. We can make sure that your irrigation management systems are ready for spring while you sit back and relax!

Classic Lawnscape is happy to help you with all of your irrigation management needs this spring. Call us today at 763-780-7231 or request a free estimate!