How to Start a Sprinkler System After Winter Safely?
Spring is the season when lawns wake up. It is also the season when irrigation problems show up. Freeze cycles can crack fittings. Valves can stick. Sprinkler heads can shift after snow removal. If you start your system the wrong way, you can create a sudden surge that breaks pipes or floods a zone.
In this guide, we explain how to start sprinkler system after winter the safe way. We also show you what to check first, what to adjust, and when to call us. At M Property Service, we handle sprinkler start up services, inspections, repairs, and seasonal tuning. We want your system to run efficiently from day one.
Before You Turn Anything On: Do These Quick Checks
A successful spring start begins with inspection. Take 10-15 minutes and walk the property.
1) Inspect the yard and sprinkler heads
Look for:
Heads tilted or buried by soil
Broken nozzles or missing caps
Cracked risers
Damage from shovels, plows, or lawn edging
If a head looks damaged, do not run that zone yet. You may need a quick repair.
2) Find the main shutoff and backflow device
Most systems have:
A main water shutoff valve
A backflow preventer (often above ground)
Test cocks and shutoff handles on the backflow
If you are not sure what you are looking at, do not guess. Call us. We can identify the correct valves and prevent costly mistakes.
3) Check your controller settings
Before water flows, confirm:
The controller has power
Date and time are correct
Programs did not reset
Rain sensor is connected (if you have one)
Keep the controller OFF while you open water. You want control over the first pressurization.
Step-by-Step: How to Start Sprinkler System Safely
Step 1: Close drain valves (if your system has them)
Some systems include manual drain valves. If they are open, you will lose pressure and waste water. Close them before pressurizing.
Step 2: Open the main water valve slowly
This is the most important step.
Open the valve in a slow, controlled way. A sudden blast of water can cause a water hammer. That impact can crack fittings and blow out weak points.
A good rule:
Turn the valve a little
Pause for a few seconds
Turn again until it fully opens
If you hear banging, stop and slow down.
Step 3: Pressurize the system and check for leaks
Once the main valve is open, stay near the backflow and exposed pipes.
Look for:
Water spraying from fittings
Drips from unions
Wet spots around the valve box
Hissing sounds that suggest a crack
If you see a leak, shut the water off and call us.
Step 4: Run each zone manually, one at a time
Now you can start zone testing.
Use your controller’s manual run function. Run each zone for 1–2 minutes first. This quick run helps you spot issues without flooding.
Check each zone for:
Heads that do not pop up
Heads that spray sideways
Low pressure or misting
Dry areas that get no coverage
Pooling water near a head
Then increase each zone to 3-5 minutes while you make adjustments.
Step 5: Clean or replace clogged nozzles
Winter debris and soil can clog nozzles.
If a head dribbles or sprays unevenly:
Turn the zone off
Remove the nozzle and filter (if present)
Rinse and reinstall
If the nozzle is cracked or worn, replace it. A worn nozzle wastes water and reduces coverage.
Step 6: Adjust spray direction and distance
Many heads can be adjusted.
Aim sprays away from:
Sidewalks and driveways
House siding
Windows and fences
If water hits hard surfaces, you waste water and invite algae or staining. Proper aiming improves coverage and saves money.
Your Spring for Sprinkler Start Up Checklist
A real sprinkler start up includes more than turning it on. At M Property Service, we treat spring start as a performance check.
Here is what you should review each spring:
Head-to-head coverage: water should reach the next head
Pressure balance: no zones should look weak or foggy
Valve function: zones should turn on and off cleanly
Rotor rotation: rotors should sweep smoothly
Drip zones: emitters should flow evenly, not flood
Controller programming: match watering to spring weather
If any zone looks inconsistent, you may have a hidden leak, a valve issue, or a pressure problem.
Set a Smart Spring Watering Schedule
Many people overwater in early spring. Grass needs less water when temperatures stay mild.
General spring tips:
Water less often, then increase gradually
Water early morning to reduce evaporation
Avoid daily watering unless you have new sod or seed
Use seasonal adjust settings if your controller supports it
If you want help dialing in runtimes, we can tune your schedule based on your system and landscape.
Troubleshooting: Common Issues After Winter
Low pressure across multiple zones
Possible causes:
Main valve not fully open
Leak in the mainline
Backflow valve partially closed
One zone will not turn on
Possible causes:
Stuck valve
Solenoid issue
Cut wire
Heads do not pop up
Possible causes:
Dirt in the body
Low pressure
Broken riser
Water bubbles up in the yard
This often signals a cracked line or fitting. Shut the system off and call us. Hidden leaks can waste a lot of water fast.
When to Call Us for Spring Start-Up Help
You can handle basic starts if your system is simple and accessible. You should call us if:
You cannot locate the main shutoff or backflow valves
Water leaks as soon as you open the main valve
Several zones have low pressure
A valve will not shut off
You see soggy areas or water bubbling from the ground
You want professional programming and efficiency tuning
Our goal is simple. We help you start the season with fewer repairs and better coverage.
Need Professional Sprinkler Start Up Service?
If you want a worry-free spring start, we can handle the inspection, safe pressurization, zone testing, and adjustments. We also repair winter damage and optimize your controller settings for the season. If you still wonder how to start sprinkler system after winter, remember this: open water slowly, test zones one at a time, and fix small problems before they become expensive. If you want expert help, our team is ready to support you.
Call us at 208-861-2751 to schedule service, or visithttps://www.mpsid.com/ to explore our sprinkler services.