Give Your Irrigation System a Spring Check-Up
Before the summer watering season starts, go through this preseason check list to ensure your irrigation system is ready for peak summer performance. It’s one of the most important things you can do to ensure your system is operating efficiently.
Spring Checklist:
- Close all manual drains. The sprinkler system was probably drained last fall, so make sure that none of the manual drain valves have been left open.
- Slowly open the main valve and allow the mainline piping from the main valve to the backflow preventer to fill with water.
- Have the backflow prevention assembly tested by a state certified tester and provide the results to the City of West Linn.
- Pressurize the mainline from the backflow prevention assembly to the control valves. Have one of the control valves open while you do this so that air trapped in the piping can escape through the sprinkler heads as the pipes fill with water.
- Most important! Run the entire sprinkler system, one zone at a time. As you do this, check the following:
• Signs of leakage, caused by damaged spray heads or piping during the winter months. Repair as needed.
• Spray pattern of the sprinklers can be inefficient. Sometimes nozzles get clogged and need to be cleaned. Also, nozzles and sprinklers may need adjustments to reduce overspray onto walks, driveways, etc.
• Interference of the spray pattern can occur if plants have been moved, play equipment has been installed, or if plants have just grown too tall. Adjusting the sprinklers to accommodate the changing landscape will eliminate dry spots and puddling caused by blocked spray.
• Overgrown grass can impede spray heads – make sure to trim the grass away from the sprinkler heads.
By following this simple check list before the summer watering season starts, and making periodic checks throughout the watering season, you can be sure your lawn and garden are being watered properly all summer long without wasting water!
Thanks to Clackamas River Water Providers!
