Irrigation Startup: 5 Things You’re Doing Wrong With Your Sprinklers
The Science Behind Smart Watering
Spring in the GTA brings renewal, but for many homeowners, it also brings confusion about irrigation systems. After sitting dormant all winter, your sprinkler system needs proper attention before jumping back into service.
Let’s explore the five most common mistakes homeowners make with their irrigation systems—and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Turning On Your System Without Inspection
After months of freezing temperatures, snow pressure, and potential ground shifts, your irrigation system is vulnerable. Nearly 65% of spring irrigation issues stem from homeowners simply turning on their systems without proper inspection.
What happens: When you blindly activate your system, existing leaks or cracks can lead to:
- Water geysers erupting in your lawn
- Underground leaks causing soil erosion
- Pressure surges damaging additional components
- Water waste of up to 25,000 litres per month from a single cracked pipe
The right approach: A professional irrigation startup includes a zone-by-zone pressure test that gradually introduces water back into your system, identifying issues before they become disasters.
Mistake #2: Failing to Clear Sprinkler Heads
Through fall and winter, your sprinkler heads collect soil, debris, and even tiny insect nests. When blocked, these heads create three major problems:
- Uneven water distribution creating dry patches
- Over-spraying that wastes water and money
- Pressure buildup that damages internal components
Common results: Brown spots in your lawn by mid-summer that require expensive remediation.
The right approach: During a professional startup, each head is individually checked and adjusted for optimal coverage. This attention to detail results in up to 30% better water distribution.
Mistake #3: Incorrect Controller Programming
Your irrigation controller is the brain of your system, but many homeowners set it once and forget it for years. This “set it and forget it” approach fails to account for:
- Seasonal moisture changes
- Plant maturity and changing water needs
- Current water restrictions
- Soil moisture conditions
Common results: When residential controllers are programmed inefficiently you can be wasting between 15-30% of applied water.
The right approach: Professional startup includes controller reprogramming based on:
- Current landscape conditions
- Weather predictions for the season
- Plant types and maturation
- Smart watering schedules that minimize evaporation
Mistake #4: Ignoring Winterization Damage
Winter freezing and thawing cycles are your irrigation system’s worst enemy. Without proper winterization (and even sometimes with it), damage occurs:
- Cracked backflow preventers
- Split pipe connections
- Damaged valve diaphragms
- Broken spray rotors
Common results: Seemingly minor winter damage can lead to major water loss—up to 1,500 litres per hour from some types of breaks.
The right approach: Professional inspection identifies these issues early, when repairs are simpler and less expensive.
Mistake #5: Misunderstanding Your System’s Unique Design
No two irrigation systems are identical. Each is designed for:
- Specific soil types
- Plant water requirements
- Property topography
- Local water pressure
When homeowners treat all zones equally or make adjustments without understanding this design, problems multiply.
Common results: Some areas receive too much water while others receive too little, leading to both plant stress and water waste.
The right approach: Professional technicians understand your system’s zone design purpose and can optimize each area accordingly.
The Professional Advantage: What Our Startup Service Includes
At Black Swan Landscaping, our comprehensive irrigation startup includes:
- System Pressure Testing Gradual reintroduction of water to identify potential leaks
- Head Cleaning and Adjustment Ensuring proper spray patterns and coverage
- Valve Inspection Checking for proper operation and potential leaks
- Backflow Testing Ensuring your water supply remains safe
The Water-Wise Approach
Toronto Water reports that outdoor watering can account for up to 50% of residential water usage during summer months. An optimized irrigation system can reduce this by 20-40% while maintaining a healthier landscape.
For the average GTA property, that translates to water savings of approximately $200-$400 per season—more than covering the cost of professional maintenance.
Beyond Conservation: Other Benefits of Professional Startup
- Extended System Life: Regular maintenance can double the lifespan of irrigation components
- Reduced Landscape Stress: Proper watering prevents plant disease and improves drought resistance
- Convenience: Never worry about whether your system is operating correctly
- Problem Prevention: Catch small issues before they become expensive repairs
Choose the Smart Investment
Our irrigation startup service is available for $100, or save $250 with our annual package for $299 (includes unlimited service calls throughout the season and your fall winterization).
Compare this to the average DIY repair cost of $550-$900 for fixing a major leak, not including water waste costs, and the value becomes clear.
Knowledge Is Power (And Water Savings)
Understanding your irrigation system is the first step toward optimization. If you’d like to learn more about your specific system, our technicians are happy to provide a walkthrough during your startup service.
Black Swan Landscaping serves the Greater Toronto Area, Simcoe County, and Muskoka regions with professional landscaping services that make the impossible possible. Contact us at (647) 271-8275 to schedule your irrigation startup today.