Spring is already on its way to Columbia, MO, and some locals may be thinking about lawn maintenance. As the growing season approaches, it’s a good idea to ensure your lawn sprinkler system is ready to come out of hibernation and keep your landscape looking lush in the most efficient possible manner. What can you do to help? Below, Oasis Landscapes & Irrigation shares a few tips for preparing your home irrigation system.

How to Prepare Your Lawn Sprinkler System for Spring

1. Check the Controls

Do a once-over of your lawn sprinkler system’s controls, making sure they are clean and don’t have any errors. Go through the settings to ensure they’re correct, and replace the back-up battery.

2. Replace Worn-Out Components

Before starting your sprinkler system, check all the valves, nozzles, sprinkler heads, and other components for signs of corrosion or other damage, and replace them if necessary. Do not run the irrigation system with broken or missing fixtures, as this poses the risk of flooding, which can ruin your yard as well as waste water. Valves, especially, should be leak-free.

3. Reduce Your Water Pressure 

Double-check your water pressure level before powering up your lawn sprinkler system, as if it’s too high (above 65 PSI), it could deteriorate your system faster than usual and waste a lot of water. You’ll recognize whether the pressure is too high if water blasts out of the sprinklers so fast it mists.

4. Inspect Your Yard & Clean Up Your Sprinkler Heads

Clean up your yard, making especially sure none of the sprinkler heads are buried underground or otherwise clogged or obstructed by debris. Unscrew and clean out any dirty sprinkler heads, including their filter screens.

5. Do a “Head” Count

While you’re inspecting the lawn, count all the sprinkler heads and write down the number. Make sure there are enough to adequately water all of your lawn without any dead spots, and replace any missing ones.

Prepping a lawn sprinkler system can be a big job. If you need help with the process or want to install new sprinklers, get in touch with Oasis Landscapes & Irrigation. Working out of Columbia, MO, the local landscaping experts have been providing top-quality lawn and property maintenance services since 1989. To request a free quote, call (573) 446-0858. To learn more about their irrigation system services, visit their website.