Spring has sprung! Among ensuring your air conditioner is ready for warmer temperatures, getting spring cleaning out of the way, and that you’ve prepared for the allergy season with the right indoor air quality products, your sprinkler system is probably the last thing on your mind. However, since your plumbing system is such a large part of a fully functioning home, it’s important to ensure that your home’s irrigation system is ready to perform. Aside from scheduling plumbing maintenance on a regular basis, what more can you do before starting it up for the first time this spring?

Check That the Ground is Thawed: While daytime temperatures are warmer, it still gets chilly at night. You’ll want to check the soil with a shovel to make sure it isn’t rock hard before turning on your sprinklers for the first time. If the ground does still seem hard, it’s best to wait before starting up your system again.

Check Valves: Before winter, you likely shut off all the valves in your sprinkler system. If one is still open, be sure to shut it before testing the system for leaks.  The way you’ll test for leaks is be slowly turning on the water and doing a visual inspection. Then you can slowly open the first and second ball valve. Listen for the sound of flowing water to stop. If you do notice a leak, it’s time to call in a professional plumber.

Check Each Zone: Once the irrigation line is charged and your sprinkler valves are open, you’ll want to check each zone individually for leaks. Even if you are equipped with an automatic system, you’ll want to manually turn on each zone and see that it’s working, checking for any leaks or sprinkler heads that might need replacing.

To schedule plumbing maintenance in Arvada, CO, contact APC Plumbing & Heating today!