As temperatures will soon warm in Dunn Loring, VA, it’s time to prepare your irrigation system for the new growing season. A spring start-up after winterization is essential to avoid system damage, water waste, and unnecessary repair costs.

What Dunn Loring Homeowners Should Do First

After a cold winter, pipes and valves can shift or develop cracks. Starting your system without proper checks can result in leaks, broken components, or uneven watering.

Here’s a reliable spring check-list to follow:

Inspect Your System Components
Walk your property and inspect sprinkler heads, valves, and the backflow preventer. Look for signs of frost damage or winter heave before turning on the water.

Turn On Water Slowly
Gradually open the main shut-off and bleed the air from the lines. This prevents pressure shock that can harm pipes and fittings.

Check the Backflow Preventer
Ensuring your backflow assembly is functioning properly protects your household water from contamination. A backflow assembly (or backflow preventer) is a safety device installed on your irrigation system that keeps dirty irrigation water from flowing back into your home’s drinking water. It acts like a one-way valve, protecting the public water supply from contamination caused by fertilizer, soil, or bacteria in the sprinkler lines.

Test Each Zone Individually
Run each irrigation zone to check head performance, coverage, and water direction. Adjust heads and replace clogged nozzles if needed.

Update Controller Settings
Program your controller for spring watering patterns — shorter, more efficient cycles with rain sensor or smart controller integration.

Why Professional Support Helps

Even experienced homeowners may miss small issues that turn into big problems later in the season. A professional spring start-up includes a comprehensive inspection, zone optimization, controller configuration, and any small repairs needed to get you off to a strong start.

Related Services You Might Need

• If your system hasn’t been checked in a while, consider our irrigation system maintenance and repair to ensure everything runs smoothly.
• If standing water is an issue, our drainage solutions can help manage runoff and prevent soil saturation.

Schedule Your Spring Start-Up Today

Affordable Sprinklers, Lighting & Turf provides expert irrigation services throughout Dunn Loring, Vienna, Merrifield, and the broader Northern Virginia area. We ensure your sprinkler system is safe, efficient, and ready for a healthy season.

📞 Call (703) 289-1155 for a free spring irrigation evaluation and estimate today.