Spring service
Spring Sprinkler Start Up in Eastern Iowa
We turn the water back on slowly, walk every zone, and set the controller for the season.
A sprinkler start-up is the spring service that re-charges an irrigation system after winter, checks every zone for freeze or plow damage, and programs the controller for the watering season.
Why a start-up is more than turning a valve
Opening the main valve all at once sends a slug of water through empty pipe. That water hammer is hard on fittings and valves. We bring the system back up slowly so the lines fill without a shock.
Then we run every zone and look at every head. Winter in eastern Iowa is rough on sprinklers. Snowplows clip heads along the curb, frost heaves tilt them, and the occasional line that held water cracks. A start-up is when we catch those problems, before the lawn starts to brown in June.
Who it's for
Anyone with an in-ground system that was shut down for winter, whether we installed it or not. If we blew your system out in the fall, you're already on our spring list.
How the job goes
How a spring start-up job goes
Every step below is how this service runs when we do it, no surprises on the invoice.
- 01
Slow re-charge
We open the supply gradually and close the backflow test cocks so the system fills without water hammer.
- 02
Walk every zone
Each zone runs while we check heads for winter damage, leaks, and spray hitting the driveway or the house.
- 03
Adjust and repair
Heads knocked out of line get straightened and re-aimed. Broken heads or small leaks get fixed on the same visit when the parts are on the truck, and we price anything bigger before we do it.
- 04
Program the controller
We set run times for spring and show you how to change them, or set up the app if you have a Hunter Wi-Fi controller.
Ready for this specific job?
Start a spring start-up quote
Address and the number of zones is enough to get you on the spring start-up list.
(319) 774-3750Common questions
Common questions about spring start-up
These are the questions we actually get about this service, not a generic FAQ pasted onto every page.
- What is a sprinkler start up?
- A sprinkler start up is the spring service that brings an irrigation system back online after winter. We recharge the system slowly, run every zone, adjust heads and reprogram the controller.
- When should I start up my sprinklers?
- We do spring start-ups in April. Call or text to get on the schedule.
- Can I turn my sprinkler system on myself?
- You can, but opening the water too fast can cause water hammer and crack fittings. It's also easy to miss a broken head or a leak until you see a wet spot or a higher water bill.
- What if something broke over the winter?
- We'll find it during the start up. Most repairs are done the same day when the parts are on the truck. Buried valves and mainline breaks can take a second visit.
- Is the first start up included with a new system?
- Yes. Every new DDM install includes the first spring start-up in April, plus the first fall blowout, under the 1-year warranty.
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