When spring rolls around in Houston, most homeowners turn their attention to getting the yard ready. If you've had your sprinkler system shut down for winter, you can't just flip a switch and expect everything to work like it did in November. A proper restart takes a few steps, and skipping them is how you end up with broken lines, damaged valves, or a system that runs unevenly. I've seen plenty of yards flooded or left dry because someone rushed the process. Take an afternoon to do it right, and you'll avoid costly repairs down the road.
Turn the Water Back On Slowly
The biggest mistake is opening the main valve all the way at once. When you've had the system drained or depressurized over the winter, air gets trapped in the lines. If you blast water through at full pressure, you can rupture pipes or blow out seals in your valves. Instead, open the main shutoff valve about a quarter turn. Let water trickle through for a few minutes. Listen for hissing or sputtering sounds at the sprinkler heads. This is air escaping. Wait another few minutes, then turn it another quarter turn. Keep doing this until the hissing stops and water flows steady. This whole process might take 15 to 20 minutes, but it's the difference between a system that lasts and one that needs repairs.
Check Every Zone Individually
Once the water is on, don't just assume all your zones are working. Turn on each zone one at a time using your controller. Walk the entire area the zone covers. Look for heads that aren't popping up, heads that are spraying in the wrong direction, or spots where water isn't reaching at all. In Houston's clay soil and heat, even small dead zones can show brown patches within a week or two. If a head is clogged, soak it in clean water or gently clear the nozzle with a small brush. Don't force it. If a head is damaged or won't pop up, note it now so you can replace it before the full growing season starts.
Inspect Valves and Connections for Leaks
Before you set your system to run on a regular schedule, spend time looking at the valve box and any visible connections. Get down and look closely. Even a small drip from a valve seal can waste thousands of gallons a month in Houston's climate. If you see water pooling around the valve box or dripping from a connection, that's a sign something needs attention. Sometimes a valve just needs the bonnet tightened slightly. Other times a seal has dried out over winter and needs replacing. If you're not comfortable working on valves, this is worth calling in help. A small leak fixed now beats a water bill surprise in May.
Test Your Controller and Timer Settings
Your irrigation controller is basically a computer, and computers sometimes forget things after sitting idle. Check that the date and time are correct. Verify that your watering schedule still makes sense. In early spring, Houston grass typically needs less water than it will in June and July. A common mistake is running the same winter schedule into spring, which can lead to overwatering and fungal issues. Start with shorter cycle times, maybe two or three days a week for 10 to 15 minutes per zone. You can always increase frequency and duration as temperatures climb. Most modern controllers let you adjust this from your phone, which makes it easy to fine-tune without having to stand at the box.
Watch for Pressure Problems
After your system runs for a few days, pay attention to how the water comes out. Weak spray from some heads while others are strong usually means a pressure problem. This could be a clogged filter, a partially closed valve, or a line that got kinked during winter storage. Check your filter if you have one. A clogged filter will restrict flow to the whole system. If one zone has low pressure while others don't, there might be an issue with that zone's valve or line. Low pressure is easier to spot early than high pressure, which can damage heads and connections. If you notice anything off, turn the system off and investigate before running it again.
Know When to Call a Professional
Some issues are straightforward enough for a homeowner to handle. Others are not. If you can't get a valve to stop leaking after tightening it, if a zone has no water flow at all, or if you're not comfortable working with the system, call a professional. In Houston, freeze damage to underground lines is less common than in other parts of the country, but it does happen. If you suspect a broken line, you'll need someone with the right equipment to locate and repair it. JB Irrigation & Services can walk through a full spring startup with you, spot problems early, and get your system running efficiently before the heat kicks in.
Get your system running right this spring. Call JB Irrigation & Services in Houston to schedule a startup inspection if you want professional eyes on your system.
