March Prep Guide: Your Denver Sprinkler System Spring Readiness Checklist
In March, your Denver sprinkler system checklist should focus on pre-season prep without turning on the water. Conduct a thorough visual inspection for winter damage, dripping components, plan for efficiency upgrades like smart controllers, and, most importantly, schedule your professional sprinkler startup for late April or early May before the spring rush begins.
March along the Front Range is a tease. We get those 60-degree, sun-drenched days that make you want to throw open the windows and start prepping the lawn. But we all know better. That last hard freeze is still lurking, usually showing up sometime around the first or second week of May.
Tempting as it is, turning on your sprinkler system now is asking for a cracked backflow preventer or split pipes. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore your system entirely. March is the perfect time for planning and prep. It’s when you can get ahead of the game, ensuring that when it is safe to water, your system is ready to run efficiently from day one.
The ‘Off-Season’ Action Plan: What You CAN Do Right Now
Think of March as your strategic planning month. The ground is still too cold and the freeze risk is too high to run water through the lines, but you can lay all the groundwork for a successful watering season. This is the time to assess, plan, and schedule. By tackling these tasks now, you avoid the mad dash in May when everyone suddenly realizes their lawn is turning brown and every irrigation company’s phone is ringing off the hook. This proactive approach saves you stress, and often, money.
Step 1: The Visual Inspection – Looking for Winter’s Lingering Effects
Your first step is to take a walk around your property with a critical eye. Winter is tough on irrigation systems, especially with our freeze-thaw cycles. You’re not turning anything on, just looking.
Here’s what we look for on our pre-season walk-throughs:
- Sprinkler Heads: Are any heads tilted, sunken, or pushed up? The ground heaving can do a number on their positioning. Check the heads along sidewalks and driveways—city snowplows or your own shoveling can easily shear one off. Look for cracked plastic casings on any brand, whether it’s Rain Bird, Hunter, or Toro.
- Valve Boxes: Locate your green, in-ground valve boxes. Open the lids and check for rodent nests, dirt, or debris that might have accumulated. You’re just looking, not touching any wires or solenoids.
- Exposed Components: The most critical component is your backflow preventer. Do not touch or try to operate any handles on it. Just look. Do you see any visible cracks in the brass body or the bell housing? Any damage here is a priority fix.
- Controller: Head to your garage or basement and check your irrigation controller. Is the screen blank? It might just be unplugged, or the battery backup might have died. Plug it in and see if it powers on.
Step 2: Planning for Efficiency & Water Conservation (Before May 1)
With Denver Water’s summer watering rules kicking in on May 1st (no watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.), efficiency is key. March is the ideal time to plan upgrades.
Have you been thinking about a smart controller? Now is the time to get one installed. A Wi-Fi controller like a Hunter Hydrawise or a Rachio can be installed and set up long before the water is turned on. These controllers use local weather data to automatically adjust watering schedules, which is perfect for Denver’s unpredictable spring weather. It won’t water during that random April snowstorm, saving you water and protecting your landscape.
This is also a great time to consider drip irrigation for your flower beds or garden. Our heavy clay soil here doesn’t absorb water quickly, leading to runoff. Drip systems apply water slowly and directly to the root zone, which is far more effective and conserves a ton of water.
Step 3: Scheduling Your Professional Startup – Timing is Everything
This is arguably the most important task on your March checklist. A professional sprinkler startup (or “turn-on”) is more than just opening a valve. It’s a full system diagnostic. We slowly pressurize the lines to prevent water hammer, check every zone for leaks, adjust misaligned heads, and test the backflow preventer to ensure it’s functioning safely.
If you wait until May to call, you’ll be in a queue. By scheduling in March, you can lock in a spot for late April or early May. This gets you ahead of the curve, ensuring your system is 100% ready the moment you need it. It also gives you time to handle any repairs discovered during the startup before your lawn gets desperate for water.
Step 4: Beyond Startup – Thinking About Your Summer Water Strategy
Once you’ve scheduled your startup, give a little thought to the summer ahead. Denver’s high elevation means intense UV rays and rapid evaporation. A system that’s perfectly tuned in May might need adjustments by July after lawnmowers, kids, and pets have had their way with it.
Planning for a mid-summer audit is a smart move. It’s a quick check-up to ensure nozzles are still spraying correctly and that your controller’s schedule is still appropriate for the peak heat of summer. It’s a small step that can save a surprising amount of water and keep your lawn healthy all season long. If you’re wondering about the condition of your system, a professional at 5280 Sprinklers can help identify areas for improvement during your startup.
FAQ
What specific things should I look for during a visual inspection of my sprinkler system in March?
Look for cracked or broken sprinkler heads, especially near pavement. Check that valve box lids are secure and not full of debris. Also, visually inspect your backflow preventer for any obvious cracks from winter freezes, but do not touch any valves or handles.
Is March a good time to consider upgrading to a smart irrigation controller?
Absolutely. March is the perfect time for a smart controller upgrade. Since it’s primarily an electrical job, it can be fully installed and configured indoors before your system’s water is even turned on for the season.
When should I schedule my professional sprinkler startup appointment for my Denver home?
You should call to schedule your startup in March. The goal is to book an appointment for late April or the first two weeks of May, after the last likely frost date (around May 15th) but before the summer watering season truly kicks off.
Should I test any part of my sprinkler system myself before the professional startup?
No, we strongly advise against it. Introducing water into a system that may still have ice blockages or an undetected winter crack can cause significant damage to your pipes, valves, or backflow preventer. Let a trained professional handle the initial pressurization.
What if I find a broken sprinkler head or other damage during my March inspection?
Make a note of what you found and where it is on your property. When you schedule your professional startup, mention your findings. This allows the technician to come prepared with the right parts, like the specific Rain Bird or Hunter heads common in Highlands Ranch, saving time and getting your system fixed in a single visit.
