Spring cleaning shouldn’t solely pertain to the inside of your home. Your irrigation system needs to be cleaned and inspected as well. Minor irrigation system problems are commonplace and should be taken care of immediately to ensure that your system doesn’t endure long-term damage. The best way to prevent any costly issues is by performing regular inspections and maintenance sessions on your system. What better time to check in on your system than the season known for its pleasant weather, spring? Listed below is what you should do to make sure you’re properly maintaining and inspecting your system.  

Reset irrigation controls: 

First and foremost, if you happened to turn off your system during the colder months, you must reset your control with the correct timer, date, and settings specific to your landscape needs. 

Inspect the system for flow obstructions: 

Sprinkler heads must be cleaned regularly to clear them of any rocks, debris, or dust that can block water flow. Dirty sprinkler heads can cause uneven water distribution resulting in bald spots and excess water use. 

Inspect Valves: 

Leaky valves are commonplace in irrigation systems. The excess water not being used can cause utility bills to skyrocket and bare patches to appear on your landscape. 

Turn on your system slowly: 

Before you go full force and turn on your system immediately, it’s crucial to make sure it’s working properly beforehand. You can do so by turning on the system slowly to avoid pipes from bursting.

Replace any broken parts: 

If you noticed anything odd while you were inspecting your system, it is best to call in a professional to evaluate whether some parts need replacing. It is advantageous to replace parts as soon as an issue becomes apparent instead of waiting for the problem to worsen. 

Flush your system: 

Flushing your system is the best way to clear out build-up and ensure an even water application. You can flush your irrigation lines using nitric acid, phosphoric acid, or sulphuric acid for about an hour. Afterward, flush the lines with water to ensure that the acids are no longer in the system. 

Clean the system’s filter:

The filters of irrigation systems tend to collect build-up. You can clean the filters by rinsing them underwater or soaking them in a vinegar-based solution. If you find that your filters are getting clogged too often, it might be time to switch your screen filters to disc filters. Disc filters are of higher quality and are less likely to require regular maintenance. 

If you want a professional to look over your irrigation system to make sure everything is in great shape, C&A Landscape offers maintenance and inspection services! Give us a call today to schedule a maintenance session with one of our irrigation technicians.