Owning an irrigation system means that you have to do maintenance when the season changes. It helps keep your sprinklers working correctly and also keeps them from freezing in cold weather. Here are some tips on how to maintain a well-functioning sprinkler system during the fall season.
What Experts Say About Fall Sprinkler Maintenance
1. Check all your valves.
The valves should be checked by opening each one, turning it clockwise until water is released, then counterclockwise until water stops flowing. Make sure they’re not leaking, or if they are, make sure it isn’t dripping onto anything important like pipes or electrical wires. Remember to repair any leaks immediately to prevent damage to your home and irrigation system.
2. Clean your gutters.
Gutters can become clogged with leaves and debris over time. When fall rolls around, take this opportunity to clean out your gutter so that no obstructions prevent rainwater from draining away. Cleaning out your gutters is essential when it comes to preventing any water damage inside your home. It also makes your gutters more effective since it enables water to run smoothly.
3. Change filters.
Filters should be checked regularly to ensure that they don’t need replacing. You may want to check these every month, but especially before winter sets in. It will help protect against mold growth as well as keep your sprinklers running smoothly throughout the year.
If you notice that your filter needs changing, simply turn off the power supply to the valve box and open up the cover. Remove the top panel and look through the holes to see what kind of filter has been installed, then replace the filter accordingly.
4. Adjust your sprinklers according to the season.
When temperatures start dropping, adjust your sprinkler heads accordingly. Since your lawn will likely need less water during the fall season, you may want to adjust your sprinklers in a way that your lawn receives less water.
Rain sensors also help save money on energy bills during the fall season. They’re helpful when you want to monitor how much precipitation your lawn receives. These devices automatically shut off your sprinklers once enough rain falls to fill your lawn’s root zone. They’re easy to set up and are affordable enough to buy several for different parts of your yard.
5. Prepare for the winterization process.
Winterization is the process of shutting off your sprinkler system entirely and removing the heads from their mounting locations. You would do this because you want to prevent ice buildup on the head, which could cause serious problems such as breaking the pipe or damaging the head itself.
While this isn’t something you have to do at the start of fall, you should keep in mind that once temperatures significantly drop, you’ll probably want to shut everything off anyway.
Professional Sprinkler Maintenance at Texas Rainmakers
To ensure that your irrigation system is ready for the fall season, Texas Rainmakers offers professional Sprinkler Installation services for clients in Atascocita, TX, and surrounding communities. Our team of irrigation system experts guarantees excellent service. Call us today at (281) 852-4331 to request your free estimate!