Spring Irrigation Start Up

Ready for Spring!

Spring is here and that means plants growing and Spring irrigation start up! After such a chaotic winter; from the bitter colds to the almost summer like week we had in February some consistently warmer weather is much welcomed. Heading into warmer temps may have you itching to get your irrigation started up! Don’t get too far ahead though, here’s a guide to getting started.

When to do Your Spring Irrigation Start Up

Once Spring hits and you start to see some green it’s tempting to go ahead and start up your irrigation. Before you do there are a few factors you should consider. The most important factor to consider before spring irrigation startup is whether freezing temperatures are behind us. If you start up your irrigation system when the ground is still freezing and the temperatures aren’t consistently above freezing there is a good chance for damage to occur. Frozen pipes or backflows are costly fixes and actually set your irrigation start up back even further. Consistently warmer weather typically arrives in April or May which is when we suggest getting your irrigation start up scheduled.

The first growth of Spring is naturally slow and there is plenty of moisture in the ground. So rushing out to start up your irrigation isn’t necessary. Your landscape will be fine if you decide to wait out part of Spring in order to conserve some water. Unless you’re planning to install new plants. If you’re having new plants placed this spring make sure your system is up and running a week or two beforehand. Newly installed plant material needs extra water and you want to ensure your system is working properly before it’s needed.

Start Up Issues

While hopefully everything goes smoothly when you start up your irrigation this season there is a possibility for some problems to arise. Some of the likely ones include:

Broken Sprinkler Controller
Leaking water from one or multiple zones
Irrigation head pop up failure
Poor water pressure
Clogged Sprinkler Heads
Irrigation pump buzzing
Ineffective Head Height

Instead of managing these problems yourself hire SCW Group and have your irrigation up and running without any added stress. If you have a property maintenance plan with us start up/shut down is included in your contract as well as basic irrigation maintenance throughout the year.

Updating during Spring Irrigation Start Up

Spring is a great time to make sure that your irrigation system is up to date and working to your advantage. Minor changes can make a big difference in how your entire system operates. If you implement some upgrades during your startup you can ensure that your landscape gets the perfect amount of water throughout the season making your property look the best it ever has.

Updates to pieces

Some pieces such as irrigation controllers, heads or lines could be updated to provide better or more efficient water distribution. Over time they can get worn down or moved around causing a waste of water and money. Plus there is a constant movement towards smarter and more efficient equipment in order to save water and consequently save you money.

Smart Irrigation

One of the best improvements to irrigation technology is the use of smart systems. These systems include things like weather monitoring, rain alerts and wifi capabilities. The best part about this is that often there isn’t a need to replace your entire system, just an add-on to have full control of your irrigation wherever you are. With an app for your mobile device you can receive rain alerts and make changes in your irrigation schedule to accommodate changing weather. Installing a smart irrigation system this spring means that you will provide optimal soil moisture levels to your landscape for a healthy, beautiful growing season. Conserving water and saving money are just added perks when you consider how much healthier your landscape will be.

Conclusion

Everyone is excited to start up their irrigation systems in the spring! Instead of just turning it on and hoping for the best make sure your irrigation system is set up for success with a little help from SCW Group. If you need help give us a call today for an irrigation consultation.