As the weather along the Front Range starts to warm up, you might already be spending time outside. Perhaps you have been eyeing your still-dead lawn from your deck or patio. If you have sprinklers in Denver or if you have been thinking about putting a system into place, it’s time to start thinking about getting them ready and geared up for a new season. Taking the necessary steps now can help prevent costly repairs to your sprinkler system—and it can protect your lawn and the rest of your landscaping for the duration of the summer.

Wondering what else you need to do to get your yard prepped for outdoor living? HouseLogic has more information on what you can be doing to get your yard ready for spring in this article, 5 Simple Steps to Prep Your Lawn for Spring.

The Benefits of a Sprinkler System

You can keep your lawn green and your landscaping healthy without a sprinkler system. But in Colorado’s semi-arid climate, if you are not consistent about watering, you can easily have a dead lawn rather than a healthy one. There are so many advantages to having a sprinkler system, including:

• Convenience. Nothing beats the convenience of having an irrigation system in place, so you don’t have to make watering your yard a hands-on experience. With a timer set up, you don’t even have to worry about turning it on. If there are water restrictions throughout the season, you can set your sprinkler system up accordingly, so you are not fined.
• Aesthetics and safety. Dragging a garden hose across your driveway and lawn is not only a hassle, but it doesn’t look all that nice. Having to put away the hose every time you water is also inconvenient, but if you leave it out, it creates a tripping hazard for both kids and pets. (Some area HOAs might also have a complaint about this.) Contrast this with sprinkler heads that pop up when they are ready to run—and then pop back down into the ground when the watering cycle has been completed. This looks better—and it’s safer for everyone involved.
• Water at the best time of day. Most experts recommend watering your lawn early in the morning, and in most areas around the metro area, it is required that all watering cease by 10am. Watering at times other than the heat of the day mean less water is evaporated by the sun. There are also studies that show watering early in the morning can protect your lawn from some diseases, which can happen if you water in the evening and have a soaked lawn overnight. With a sprinkler system, it’s easy to set your watering system to water at the best time of day—even if you are still in bed.
• Water the best amount—or the allowed amount. If there are watering restrictions, a sprinkler system makes it easier to comply. If you have a more advanced sprinkler system, some even sense weather and will skip a scheduled water session if it rains so your lawn will not become oversaturated. You’ll also save on water!
• Your lawn is watered—even if you are out of town. If you go on vacation during the summer as many people do, you won’t have to worry about your lawn turning yellow while you are gone. You won’t need to bother neighbors to water for you. Your sprinkler will be set up, just as if you were home.

Now that you know why you should invest in a sprinkler system, here are our tips for getting your watering system ready for the upcoming season.

Don’t Start Your Sprinkler System Too Early

Although we get plenty of beautiful days in March and April, our location on the Front Range of Colorado means that spring usually has a number of false starts. You want to make sure the ground is no longer frozen before gearing your sprinkler system back up. If you start it up too soon, it could actually damage the pipes.

Inspect the Entire System for Damage

Winter can be tough on sprinklers. Shovels and snowplows can easily damage sprinkler heads. Other parts of the system, including nozzles, valves, and pipes can also be damaged over time. Replace parts that need it.

Check That the System Works

Check the programming and controls of the system. Set it up for the proper days and times you’ll be watering your landscape. Most systems have a battery backup, and you should also check that this is in working order.

Check Water Distribution of the System

If there is too much water in some areas and not enough in others, you are putting your entire landscape at risk—not to mention harming the environment by wasting water. Dirt and rocks can also settle in and block water from flowing evenly from sprinkler heads.

Check the Water Pressure

When you turn the water back on for your sprinkler system, do it slowly. If you don’t, there could be an initial surge of water pressure that can burst pipes and damage valves. This can result in needing costly repairs.

If you are on the fence about hiring pros to handle your landscaping this summer, read Why You Should Hire Professional Denver Landscaping Services for Your Yard. You might be surprised at just how cost-effective it can be to put your landscaping needs into the hands of professionals.

Whether you are getting a new system or starting up your old one, make sure your sprinklers are up and running this spring by calling the professionals to do the job right. At Water Solutions Services, we are your go-to Denver sprinkler system experts. We can tune up your system, fix any problems, and you can rest assured that we always have an interest in delivering our best to you. We offer free estimates for stress-free sprinkler maintenance in Denver, as well as the Aurora, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lone Tree, and Parker areas. Call us today at (720) 435-1495 for your free estimate.