Seasonal Information
Preparing Your Irrigation System for Winter
Before retreating into the house for the winter, don't forget to check your irrigation system to prepare it for the cold weather.
- Manually turn off your controller in November if you don't have a rain sensor, a "rain" setting or "smart" controller
- Install a rain sensor or smart controller
- Wrap foam around above-ground valves, pipes, and hose bibs to prevent them from freezing.
- Locate and learn how to use your water shut-off valve in case your pipes burst
- Contact your local water provider for information or assistance with your irrigation system. Many offer Water Wise House Calls, providing information to help you tune up your system and adjust watering times for the season
- Late fall is a great time to add a thin layer of organic compost to your lawn and around all trees and shrubs—one half inch is usually sufficient. Top dressing with compost improves soil's moisture holding capabilities and increases water's ability to penetrate the soil's surface (which reduces runoff)
- Drain your system to flush water out of the pipes, sprinklers, and other parts of your system to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.
Preparing Your Irrigation System for Summer
Performing a complete spring maintenance check and tune-up for your entire irrigation system will ensure smooth operation during the summer months. Checking the system now can uncover problems like clogged emitters, broken water lines, leaks, damaged or missing nozzles, and out-of-adjustment sprinklers.
- Flush the system. Open the ends of drip tubes and flush out bugs and debris; remove nozzles from sprinkler heads (at least the last one on each line), and run the water to flush debris.
- Run the system and look for broken or damaged nozzles; clean the filters
- Replace plastic nozzles—simply trying to clean them can damage the spray pattern and cause dry spots
- Adjust sprays and rotors so they only water the plants and not the sidewalks and driveways
- Check for leaking valves and seals—they often dry out over winter and must be replaced or repaired
- Check your controller for proper run times and replace the battery
- Add about one-half inch of organic compost to the surface of lawn areas and around all plants and trees as you did in the fall
- Contact your local water provider for information or assistance with your irrigation system if you didn't get around to it last fall. Many offer Water Wise House Calls to help you tune up your system and adjust watering times for the season
