Irrigation Activation in Portland, OR

A properly designed and maintained irrigation system is crucial for the aesthetic of your landscape. It fosters the growth of healthy grass, plants, and trees by delivering the appropriate quantity of water at the right time. However, it’s not as simple as setting up a sprinkler system and then forgetting about it.

At the onset of spring, when you activate the sprinklers for the first time, it’s not unusual for older components to malfunction. Your irrigation equipment might also have concealed underground leaks that remained undetected throughout the previous growing season since you weren’t using it.

Our irrigation technicians can activate your system, inspect for damaged parts and leaks, and adjust the sprinkler heads to ensure they cover their respective zones adequately. By confirming that your lawn watering system is prepared for the forthcoming irrigation season, you can conserve water, save money, and optimize time.

It’s that time of year when you might be considering when to reactivate your sprinklers. Your lawn is likely dormant now, and although we can still anticipate some cool nights, warmer days are also on the horizon. Therefore, understanding when the temperature is optimal for turning your sprinklers back on is key.

The right time to reactivate the sprinklers relies on the climate of your location. In regions with a cold, wet winter season, wait until spring to reactivate the sprinklers. For areas with mild winters, there may be no need to deactivate the sprinklers at all.

Soil temperature is a crucial factor in determining whether to reactivate the sprinklers since it affects the ground’s water absorption capacity. Ideally, it’s best to reactivate the sprinklers when the soil temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above. If soil temperatures are lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, there’s a risk of water runoff instead of absorption.

First, switch on the irrigation system’s water source and let the water fill the pipes. Keep a close eye on any irrigation lines in your yard, as these are the most susceptible to leaks. Similarly, check all low spots in your lawn for pooled water.

Next, activate each irrigation zone individually. Ensure each sprinkler head pops up and sprays correctly. Observe for overlapping or weak spray patterns, as these may indicate clogging or incorrect adjustments. Inspect each irrigation valve individually to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Finally, find the control box attached to the side of your house or located in the garage. Open this box and set the timer for your desired sprinkler system operation duration for each day of the week. Confirm that you have established a schedule that permits each irrigation zone to water the lawn adequately.

System check – Midway through the summer, we’ll perform a comprehensive system check. Our team will make any necessary adjustments based on vegetation growth patterns or landscape changes. This service ensures that your sprinklers will function optimally for the remainder of the growing season.

Backflow testing – The function of a backflow prevention device is to safeguard the potable water supply from contamination or pollution. Backflow preventers are fitted on irrigation water lines to maintain the correct flow direction. If a backflow preventer fails, it could contaminate the clean water supply with dirty water. Annual testing is necessary to verify that your backflow preventer is working properly.

Sprinkler winterization – Irrigation lines and other system components are located underground. If left unprotected, water inside the equipment can freeze and expand during the winter months, potentially resulting in broken pipes that could cost hundreds of dollars to repair. We recommend having your irrigation system winterized before the temperatures start to fall.