Your Automatic Irrigation System

Spring Start up Procedures:

1. Close all drain valves located at the low points in your irrigation main line.
2. Close all of the petcocks on the vacuum breaker. This is the piece of equipment that is above the ground.
3. Close the drain valve located in the house where the water line was “tapped”.
4. Open the supply valve very slowly. This valve is also located in the house where the tap was made.
5. Open the ball valves on the vacuum breaker to energize the main line. These should be opened slowly and only one at a time.
6. Set the time, day and date on your irrigation clock. Program each station according to the averages listed in Item #3 under general notes.
7. Run through the entire system to assure proper working conditions and to check for leaks.

Weekly Maintenance:

1. Inspect heads and nozzles for proper coverage and working conditions.
2. Clean any dirty nozzles or filter screens.
3. Inspect components for damage due to lawn maintenance procedures.

Monthly Maintenance:

1. Perform all weekly procedures.
2. Adjust times on the controller to compensate for different temperatures and precipitation each month.
3. Run through the controller to assure proper working condition.

Yearly Maintenance:

1. Perform all monthly procedures.
2. Inspect all components (heads, valves, etc…) to assure proper working condition.
3. Adjust the heights of the heads to accommodate fluctuations in turf height.
4. “Startup” and “Winterize” your irrigation system (see detailed explanations).

Winterization Procedure:

1. Close the irrigation main water supply.
2. Connect the compressor to the irrigation system.
3. Turn the controller to station #1 then start the compressor.
4. Force air through station #1 until the water has been blown out. Continue the process through stations 2, 3, etc… until all of the stations have been blown out completely.
5. Open all drain valves and petcocks on the vacuum breaker.
6. Turn off the irrigation controller.
7. While your system can be drained without blowing it out. We recommend blowing it out with compressed air. This removes all of the water and relieves the stress that ice can cause in our harsh climate.

General Notes:

1. It is important to repair any malfunctioning equipment as soon as possible especially during the hot mid-summer months.
2. Check for spots that appear to be dry. The sooner these are corrected, the less damage there will be.
3. Spray heads apply more water than rotary heads in the same amount of time. Therefore, these stations will need to run for a shorter period of time. Average station run times are as follows: Spray zones 20 to 30 minutes; Rotary zones 30 to 45 minutes. These times are only averages and will vary depending on the time of season, plant material type, wind and soil conditions.