Skokie, IL
Buffalo Grove, IL
Naperville, IL
Park Ridge, IL
Arlington Heights, IL
Riverwoods, IL
Wilmette, IL
Winnetka, IL
Oak Lawn, IL
Orland Park, IL
Northbrook, IL
Evanston, IL
Highland Park, IL
Des Plaines, IL
Oak Brook, IL
Barrington, IL
St Charles, IL
One of the Best Chicago Landscape Irrigation Contractors Serving the following
Greater Chicago Areas from their Wheeling, IL Headquarters:
Corporate Headquarters: 543 Diens Drive, Wheeling, IL 60090
©2020 TSI The Service Innovators All Rights Reserved
Now that those cold Chicago winter days have given way to the warmer days of spring (even if it
seems to have arrived a little late this year) it’s time to startup your residential or commercial
property irrigation system. Before you jump in, over-induced with the spirit of spring and turn that
water supply valve wide open, slow down and examine some simple tips to help you avoid
damaging your lawn sprinkler system.
Check to Make Sure the Ground is Frost-Free
Spring startup for your lawn sprinkler system involves “recharging” your irrigation pipes, but before
you do that it’s always a good idea to make sure there isn’t frost still lurking below. Dig with a
shovel or spade to verify the soil is frost free at least a foot below the surface.
Fill the Pipes Slowly to Avoid a Water Hammer
The biggest danger confronting your sprinkler system during the first startup in spring is a situation
called a “water hammer.” The term water hammer refers to the surge of air pressure created in
irrigation pipes when water first flows into an empty pipe too fast, causing a force up to 15 times
the correct operating pressure. This usually bursts fittings and launches sprinklers from beneath
the earth to the sky above. Even if this extreme reaction doesn’t occur, it’s still possible to
unknowingly do damage that will cause failure days or weeks later when its least expected. If
you’re not experienced or feel uncomfortable performing lawn sprinkler spring startup, consider
using professional irrigation services from The Service Innovators (TSI), one of the best
landscaping, lawn sprinkler companies in the Chicago area.
First start by relieving the air pressure release valves, or if your system doesn’t have any, take the
sprinkler heads off at the highest level of each zone. Fill the pipes slowly by opening the shutoff
valve (that controls water flow) by only a quarter turn to avoid a surge of pressure. When the main
line is full of water, slowly open the zone valve manually. After that zone is filled, close air-relief
valve(s) or put back the sprinkler heads. Then go to the next zone and repeat these steps until
every zone is filled.
Test the Irrigation System
When entirely filled, run each zone for two minutes to test the automatic timer, flush out any air that
was left, see if the heads are working properly and check around valves and sprinkler heads for
leaks and breaks. Look to see if all lawn sprinklers are level and operating correctly. When all lines
are full and everything is working, the main water supply valve can be opened all the way. Go back
and make sure the timer programs you set are still correct and reset if needed.
These tips are presented to remind and help guide those confident and familiar with lawn sprinkler
startups. If performing your own residential startup seems challenging, or you lack experienced
staff to maintain your commercial property irrigation system, it’s smart to hire the professionals
from TSI, one of Greater Chicagoland’s best property maintenance companies. Because spring
startups can also discover damage above and below the ground, TSI will not only see that your
grounds are properly covered with water, but with great irrigation repair and maintenance services
as well.
To learn more about TSI Irrigation Startup Service quotes for residential and commercial
properties, please fill out our Request For Quote Form.
Online TSI Newsletter
May 1, 2018
Lawn Sprinklers Spring Startup Tips from One
of Chicago’s Best Landscape Contractors
ABOUT US
EMPLOYMENT
ECO-BRINE
One of the Best Chicago Landscape
Irrigation Contractors Serving the
following Greater Chicago Areas from
their Wheeling, IL Headquarters:
Skokie, IL
Buffalo Grove, IL
Naperville, IL
Park Ridge, IL
Arlington Heights, IL
Orland Park, IL
Northbrook, IL
Evanston, IL
Highland Park, IL
Des Plaines, IL
Oak Brook, IL
Barrington, IL
St Charles, IL
Riverwoods, IL
Wilmette, IL
Winnetka, IL
Oak Lawn, IL
543 Diens Drive, Wheeling, IL 60090
©2020 TSI The Service Innovators
TSI Newsletter
May 1, 2018
Now that those cold
Chicago winter days
have given way to
the warmer days of
spring (even if it
seems to have
arrived a little late
this year) it’s time to
startup your
residential or commercial property
irrigation system. Before you jump in, over-
induced with the spirit of spring and turn
that water supply valve wide open, slow
down and examine some simple tips to
help you avoid damaging your lawn
sprinkler system.
Check to Make Sure the Ground is
Frost-Free
Spring startup for your lawn sprinkler
system involves “recharging” your irrigation
pipes, but before you do that it’s always a
good idea to make sure there isn’t frost still
lurking below. Dig with a shovel or spade
to verify the soil is frost free at least a foot
below the surface.
Fill the Pipes Slowly to Avoid a Water
Hammer
The biggest danger confronting your
sprinkler system during the first startup in
spring is a situation called a “water
hammer.” The term water hammer refers to
the surge of air pressure created in
irrigation pipes when water first flows into
an empty pipe too fast, causing a force up
to 15 times the correct operating pressure.
This usually bursts fittings and launches
sprinklers from beneath the earth to the
sky above. Even if this extreme reaction
doesn’t occur, it’s still possible to
unknowingly do damage that will cause
failure days or weeks later when its least
expected. If you’re not experienced or feel
uncomfortable performing lawn sprinkler
spring startup, consider using professional
irrigation services from The Service
Innovators (TSI), one of the best
landscaping, lawn sprinkler companies in
the Chicago area.
First start by relieving the air pressure
release valves, or if your system doesn’t
have any, take the sprinkler heads off at
the highest level of each zone. Fill the
pipes slowly by opening the shutoff valve
(that controls water flow) by only a quarter
turn to avoid a surge of pressure. When
the main line is full of water, slowly open
the zone valve manually. After that zone is
filled, close air-relief valve(s) or put back
the sprinkler heads. Then go to the next
zone and repeat these steps until every
zone is filled.
Test the Irrigation System
When entirely filled, run each zone for two
minutes to test the automatic timer, flush
out any air that was left, see if the heads
are working properly and check around
valves and sprinkler heads for leaks and
breaks. Look to see if all lawn sprinklers
are level and operating correctly. When all
lines are full and everything is working, the
main water supply valve can be opened all
the way. Go back and make sure the timer
programs you set are still correct and reset
if needed.
These tips are presented to remind and
help guide those confident and familiar
with lawn sprinkler startups. If performing
your own residential startup seems
challenging, or you lack experienced staff
to maintain your commercial property
irrigation system, it’s smart to hire the
professionals from TSI, one of Greater
Chicagoland’s best property maintenance
companies. Because spring startups can
also discover damage above and below
the ground, TSI will not only see that your
grounds are properly covered with water,
but with great irrigation repair and
maintenance services as well.
To learn more about TSI Irrigation Startup
Service quotes for residential and
commercial properties, please fill out our
Request For Quote Form.
Lawn Sprinklers Spring
Startup Tips from One of
Chicago’s Best
Landscape Contractors
