Don't Be An April Fool: Time For Irrigation Repair

April officially kicks off the spring and summer seasons. With the cold weather behind us, we can finally welcome the sunshine and short sleeves. It also means it is time to get out the lawn mower and start your irrigation system for the first time this year. 

When you turn on your irrigation for the first time, you may discover the system was damaged or is performing improperly since the last time you ran it. These issues can occur from a variety of issues but are usually due to improper winter shut-downs. Regardless of the cause, now is the time to address these issues with an irrigation repair service. 

"Failing to address problems in your irrigation system will only harm you in the long-run," said John Minor, owner of Irrigation and Lighting Specialist. "Putting it off only causes issues when your irrigation system is working during the dog days of summer." 

Common April Adjustments and Irrigation Repairs  

Below are just a few of the irrigation repairs  and adjustments we perform during this time of the year:

• Broken Equipment - Broken equipment is one of the leading causes of water leakage. If you've noticed leaking water, resulting in runoffs and puddles, you could have a broken sprinkler head, valve or lateral and main line. This type of damage is common after a freezing winter - like the one we just had. 
• Sunken or Tilted Heads - Sprinkler heads tilt and settle over time due to natural compaction of soil, lawn maintenance and foot traffic. This causes uneven distribution of water resulting in brown spots, runoffs and misting. Attaching a swing joint to the sprinkler head is a great way to fix the issue and prevent it from reoccurring.  
• Blocked Heads - Water is prevented from going where it needs to go when the spray pattern from a sprinkler head. Blockage is can occur from overgrowth, changes in the landscape or inappropriate placement of sprinkler heads. You may need to relocate your sprinkler head or trim back vegetation. 
• Lack of Check Valves - If your system is not equipped with check valves, water may drain out of sprinkler heads that are located at lower elevations after they've been cut off. Check values lock water in the lateral line and reduce runoffs and result in quicker start-up times. 
• Clogged Nozzles - Debris can stick in your nozzles and filters and can cause them to clog. Sand, dirt, roots and plastic are the most common causes of clogs and can create an uneven distribution of water. This creates brown spots. Cleaning or replacing filters can resolve the issue. 

"What seems like a small problem in April can quickly become a bigger problem in May and June. It is best to quickly address these issues with the assistance of a certified irrigation professional. This ensures the repairs are done correctly and your irrigation system is ready to go to work when the real heat moves in," said Minor.

To learn more about our irrigation repair service, or to schedule a free consultation, please contact John with Irrigation and Lighting Specialist at 704-747-0235 or email John. We look forward to helping you address your repairs now so you have enjoy a healthy and beautiful lawn all summer long!