While the winter typically means that your sprinkler system is dormant, that doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you need to take to ensure its health. Once spring arrives in Chattanooga, you’ll want to turn on your irrigation system and have it feeding your lawn to bring back a lush yard.
For this to happen without any issues, you’ll want to do these things for your sprinklers during off months. At Conserva Irrigation of Chattanooga, these are including as part of our winterization service.
Shut Off the Water Supply
The first and most important action to take is to turn off the water supply completely. It’s best to do this as soon as the weather dips below freezing. This should be a complete disconnection from the water supply. Turning off the water is only the first step; you’ll also need to remove any water within the system.
Drain All Water from Your Sprinklers
The water supply to your sprinklers must remain off during the month. In addition, you should evacuate any water from the system completely. A few drops of water may seem inconsequential; it can cause serious damage.
Even a minimal amount of water can freeze in your pipes. This can cause pipes to expand and possibly crack. Should this occur, you’ll have to repair those components before your sprinklers are functional again.
Manual draining may not remove all the water and could require more time or multiple attempts. The best way to remove all water is a blow-out, which carefully forces out any lingering moisture.
Turn the Controller Off
With a smart irrigation system, like those we install at Conserva Chattanooga, the controller is a key part. The controller communicates with weather and soil sensors to determine when to water and how much. The controller is the “decision-maker” in the system, enabling you to use up to 60% less water. However, during the winter months, the controller should be disabled so that it doesn’t activate watering.
Insulate the Shut-Off Valve
After you shut off the water to your sprinklers, you should also protect the main shut-off valve. Wrapping and insulating it will prevent freezing. Doing so will safeguard it from damage that you’d have to address before reactivating the system in the spring.
Assess All Pipes and Components
Another key activity to protect your irrigation system is a full assessment. Depending on how long you’ve had your sprinkler system, it might require replacements to pipes or other elements. It’s a good idea to do this during the off-season so that you can address any repairs before it’s time to restart your sprinklers. Having a professional provide this service means you’ll receive the most accurate report along with an estimate.
Make a Plan to Summerize Your System
The last item on your list is to plan for when you’ll resume use of your irrigation system. It’s not as easy as reconnecting the water and turning on the controller and other sensors. You’ll want to get ahead of this by scheduling summerization for early spring.
Summerization includes:
- Turning the water and controller back on
- Programming the controller to optimize root development by zone with the right amount of water
- Evaluating all sensors
- Inspecting heads and adjusting as necessary
- Completing a system efficiency analysis
- Reporting any problems witnessed during inspection
If your system was properly winterized, as with our Conserva clients, the process can be quick. You’re less likely to need repairs or replacements.
Trust Conserva Chattanooga to Keep Your Sprinklers in Good Shape Year-Round
No matter what time of year it is, you can rely on our experienced team to keep your irrigation system in good condition. Even if we didn’t install it, we can still maintain or repair it. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
