The mild winter that Denver experienced this past year is almost over, which means that spring is right around the corner. In fact, it’s felt like spring for a while now, as unusually warm temperatures have kept the Denver metro area feeling especially comfortable. Although the first day of spring isn’t until March 20th, it’s a great time to start thinking about having your Denver sprinklers ready for another season of watering. Here are a few things to consider prior to the start of the season:

Check the Soil

Before you get your garden under way in earnest, you’ll want to make sure that the ground that your irrigation system lays in is not frozen. You can check to see if your ground is frozen by using a shovel or other tool in order to test the hardness of the ground. Ideally, you will want to have the soil be completely frost free to a total of 12 inches below the surface. If you fill the system too early, it can create very expensive repairs that may require some extensive replacements of irrigation lines, a project you definitely don’t want to have to undertake.

Collect Sprinkler Supplies

In order to make sure that your sprinkler and irrigation system is operating at peak efficiency and performance, you will want all of the necessary tools to make the job something that is easy to perform. Not having all of your supplies on hand at the start of the job can create unnecessary headaches, as you will have to make multiple trips to the store in order to have everything for the job.

Prior to starting the job, check to see that you have all of the parts for your irrigation system, such as risers, sprinkler heads, and nozzles. It’s a good idea to have extras for all parts, as some parts may break or be faulty. Being one nozzle or sprinkler head short of a fully-functioning system is certainly an aggravating event you do not want to have to experience.

Fill the Pipes

Once you have checked to make sure your soil is properly thawed and you have all of the necessary components on hand to complete the job, the next step in the process is to actually fill your irrigation piping. During the initial startup, it is possible that an excess amount of air pressure caused by the initial rush of water into the pipes can create problems, such as burst fittings and sprinklers that blow right out of the ground. If problems aren’t immediately known or observed, this process can weaken components and create trouble for you later in the season.

As a result, it is crucial to include air pressure relief valves and drains within your irrigation system as a way to prevent such events from taking place. These devices will allow air to flow out of the system as you refill the lines with water, preventing damage that results from excessive surges of air pressure. As you refill the system, it is a great idea to do this at a slow pace, so as not to create any of the problems that can result from excessive air pressure.

Starting the process of refilling your irrigation system, you will want to fill the main line of the system first, which is traditionally located between the water sources and the zone valves. As stated earlier, you will want to slowly open the shutoff valve that controls the water flow to the irrigation system. Taking your time with this process is key, as rushing the water through the system can create additional fixes which will not be fun (or cheap) to deal with. After you’ve filled the main line, you can then move on to additional zones, moving slowly from zone to zone until every section of the irrigation system has been filled.

As your thoroughly fill your irrigation system you will want to check for leaks to make sure no water is wasted and pressure is being lost in the process. This can be done by checking areas around the valves and sprinkler heads to test for excessive moisture buildup. You will also want to make sure there are no breaks in the lines themselves, which you will be able to see by water pooling in areas it shouldn’t be.

Test the System

Now that you’ve gone through the trouble of filling your entire irrigation system again in preparation for another long season of keeping your garden hydrated, you will want to test the system out to make sure that it still functions at the level you need it to. You will want to make sure all areas are operating properly.

As stated earlier, observe the system in operation to make sure there are no leaks in any zone or portion of the system. You’ll also want to make sure that your timer programs are functioning and operating accurately to the desired amount of time that is needed for your garden. You may need to reset them and determine what amount of water is needed, as a dryer winter may necessitate that you water heavier than normal earlier in the season.

Hire Someone for the Job

If all of this process sounds intimidating or overwhelming, a great option for you as a homeowner is to hire a trained professional who can carefully and thoroughly get your irrigation system up and running to optimal conditions. Doing it yourself can be a stressful and tiring process that is often not worth the hassle that accompanies such an intensive process.

If your irrigation system is in need of getting filled and prepared for the upcoming season, contact the trusted professionals at Water Solutions Sprinkler Service. We handle all of your sprinkler and irrigation needs, including installation and repair of your irrigation systems. We also take care of sprinkler blowouts at the end of the season and are more than happy to provide routine maintenance of your system throughout the season. We strive to provide our customers with the best possible customer service, and we are proud to have served the Denver metro area for over two decades. Call us at 720-435-1495 today.