Restarting an irrigation system after a long winter requires more than just turning the timer on and opening the main water valve. If this is all that occurs, you risk having potential leaks and other damage go unnoticed. As winter ends, and spring approaches, it’s time to start thinking about lawn maintenance. The irrigation system plays a vital role in keeping your lawn green and healthy. In Alexandria, irrigation systems require inspection and maintenance before restarting. When you schedule an appointment to have your irrigation system restarted, there are a few areas that should be inspected during start up. Valves - Clog: If you live in an area where the city provides pressurized irrigation, then you can’t start your personal irrigation system until the city turns on the main water line. When the water is turned on, any debris in the system will get sent down the line. The valves located between your system and the city’s system can get clogged. If debris gets stuck in the actuator, the valve could get stuck open. The system won’t work properly, and you’ll waste a lot of water. The contractor should check for possible clogs before turning the water on.
- Leak: Valves are a key component in an irrigation system. They are supplied to turn water on and off, but they sometimes break or become corroded. If a leak goes undetected, you’ll waste money on the utility bill, and water damage might occur.
- Prevent Backflow: When a city doesn’t have pressurized irrigation, then the water supplied for the irrigation system comes from regular culinary water. As water turns on and off, the pressure inside the line changes. It’s possible for water to get pulled back into the main water as it is being turned off. This allows various contaminants to enter the culinary water system. In order to keep the culinary water line clean, a backflow prevention device is required at the start of your irrigation system between your line and the city’s water line. It’s a requirement to have a certified inspector check this valve to ensure that it’s working properly.
Sprinklers - Broken: Even though the irrigation system is disabled, damage to the sprinkler heads can still occur. If sprinklers are weak or broken, it can lead to serious leaks. Each sprinkler head should be inspected to make sure that it’s ready to handle the watering schedule for the summer.
- Exposed: Sprinkler heads can get buried under grass or behind plants. If this happens, the surrounding areas won’t be watered efficiently. It is sometimes necessary to clean around a sprinkler head, or even raise it out of the ground a little bit, so it’s exposed enough to allow the water to flow and reach desired areas. If the problem can be solved with a little plant-pruning or grass-trimming, contractors can advise you to do this also.
- Realigned: Sprinkler heads are chosen and positioned so that they water a specific patch of your yard. Water and money is wasted when the concrete gets watered, or the grass dies, because water isn’t reaching it. Sprinklers might need to be realigned so that water sprays every inch of your lawn. It’s important to check all the sprinklers as each zone is started for the first time each spring.
- Clogged: If debris gets into the water line in your irrigation system, it will prevent the sprinklers from working properly. Even the smallest amount of dirt can clog a sprinkler and prevent proper watering. If clogs aren’t cleaned, there’s a risk of further damage to the sprinkler.
Alexandria irrigation systems require inspections and maintenance each spring in order to continue watering your yard properly. When the irrigation system works efficiently, you can enjoy a healthy, green lawn without spending a lot of time watering.
Related Articles -
Alexandria, Irrigation, Systems,
|