Question
I bought a home last Summer and had the irrigation system winterized and shut off over the winter.  How do I start it up again?  Is it as easy as turning the main valve on and turning the dial in the Hardie control to run?  My program from last summer is already saved in the controls.

Steve

Answer
Hi Steve

Before you turn on the water, make sure the tie in to winterize your system is closed (usually a hose bib) and if your system has a backflow, make sure the test ports are closed.  Then from the controller, manually turn on the zone furthest away from the house before opening the system isolation valve.  This will protect the main line and everything that's connected to it from surge pressures (i.e. water hammer).  Now open the main valve and slowly introduce water back into the irrigation system - don't just crank it open.  After you've filled the main line and the zone you opened is operating normally, turn off the zone from the controller.  Then take a walk around your property and look for any problems.  Return to the controller and manually turn on each zone one by one and inspect the spray patterns and coverage during operation.

As for the current program on your controller, you may want to reduce the frequency of cycles for the early spring and then gradually increase them in the hotter months.  The water requirements are not as demanding in April as they are in July.

Thanks for your question.

Regards

Tony