With the coming of Spring, you may find yourself more happy and hopeful. The temperature warms up, and birds start to sing, but there’s something missing…Your lawn–it’s not getting any greener.
Most of us would turn on the irrigation and not think about it, but if there’s a problem with your irrigation system then your lawn will suffer.
Fear not. There’s six things you can do to get your sprinklers working properly again, and get your lawn season appropriate!
1) Check Your Soil
The first thing you should do is make sure you don’t still have frozen soil. Soil sometimes takes a while to defrost. A check is important before your start-up your sprinklers because frozen soil can cause serious damage to your sprinklers if they are turned on.
To do a check, simply dig 12 inches into the ground and check for frost free soil. If it’s solid, then you may have to wait for another week before you turn on your sprinklers.
2) Checking Your Irrigation Systems
Like any machine, your irrigation system needs to be checked. Check the timers, check the date & time settings, and check the battery. Remember, the back-up battery in the timer must be replaced every 6 months. Each member of your family should also view the watering schedule to avoid over-irrigating the garden.
3) Ensuring Smoother Water Flow
Dirt, rock, sand and any other debris in the sprinkler system can block the flow of water. Any uneven distribution of water can lead to excess watering in some areas and inadequate watering in others, leaving you with wastage of water and an unhealthy landscape. Inspect all spray heads, ensuring they are not buried and or blocked.
4) Remember to Replace Faulty Sprinkler Parts
Sprinklers and nozzle heads are built to be tough. However, few things are tough enough to survive the continued impact of lawn mowers and snowplows.
Cracked, chipped or worn out valves, nozzles, and pipes need to be replaced. Any broken sprinkler can prove to be detrimental and increase water bills. This is why it’s important to check and replace them periodically.
5) Servicing Pump Engines and Inspecting Fluid Levels
If you frequently leave your irrigation system unattended, then you need to be careful with coolant or oil leaks. Even small leaks can cause serious damage to your water pumps. Insect nests and rodent activity can cause damage to the sprinkler parts. Having low oil can also damage your pumps during high temperatures.
6) Check the Valves
The vales in your irrigation system regulates the distribution of water throughout your irrigation system. A leaky valve will cost you by increasing the amount of water wasted and your water bill. Make sure you inspect every valve to ensure that the entire system is working properly.
Spring is a season of awakening and renewed vitality. Don’t let your lawn fall behind the season because of a faulty irrigation system!