When to Start Up Your Sprinkler System in Michigan

As the snow starts to melt and the days get longer, you know spring is on the horizon. Once you start working on your spring yard cleanup chores, you may wonder when you should turn on your  .

You never want to de-winterize your sprinklers too early, since you run the risk of damaging the sprinkler heads and other components if temperatures fall back below freezing. Michigan weather can be a little unpredictable, so keep reading to learn about our recommendations, including how to handle an unexpected cold night after your irrigation system has been turned back on.

The Best Time to Turn On Your Sprinkler System

The best time to start irrigating your lawn and landscaping depends on the Michigan weather—don’t rely on the official last frost date to guarantee warmer temperatures.

Historically, opening your irrigation system in mid-to-late May ensures frost-free days. Because spring brings rain, cold evening temperatures, and cool ground temperatures, you may not even need to water your grass until June!

Consistently warm weather can make earlier opens feasible, with some precautions:

• • Opening around mid-April is possible if you have insulated sprinkler valves and support draining backflow devices.
  • Opening late April can work if you are willing to monitor daily temps and take steps to wrap your system devices.
  • By opening in early May, you will likely avoid freezes and stay well ahead of the dry season.

Michigan’s climate ensures the ground likely has plenty of water to sustain your lawn and landscape during the early spring. If your grass is brown, it’s likely still in winter dormancy, and if your lawn is green, then it has adequate water for now.

Still unsure about opening your irrigation? Check with an irrigation system expert for the best days to open or close your irrigation system.

How to Prevent Sprinkler System Damage if Frost is in the Forecast

Even cautious homeowners may find that an unexpected freeze can put their sprinkler system at risk. Water expands when it freezes, temperatures below 32° F risk damage to the system components, especially the above-ground parts:

• • Pipes could burst as the freezing water in the system expands.
  • Sprinkler heads, valves and fittings could get damaged.
  • Water leaks can cause additional damage as they pool up and freeze around your house.

The underground components of your system will likely be fine, since they’re insulated by the layers of soil. Focus on protecting the above-ground components like the sprinkler heads, backflow devices, and any other parts of the system that you can see by wrapping them in blankets or heavy towels to protect from a light freeze. If you are expecting a hard freeze, with temps below 28°F, you can turn off the water and briefly run the system to empty the lines.

The Start-Up Process for Sprinkler Systems

To make sure the lawn and landscape irrigation startup goes as smoothly as possible, take the following steps to get ready:

1. Clean up debris around your sprinkler heads and inspect them for cracks or damage.
2. Inspect nozzles, valves, pipes, and other visible components for damage.
3. Consider a soil test to assess lawn health and help determine your watering schedule.

Once your system is ready to open, call Sanderson & DeHaan to schedule an appointment.

The Sanderson & DeHaan Team Can Professionally De-Winterize Your Sprinkler System

Hiring a professional to start up your irrigation system ensures that no steps are overlooked, and every part of the system is thoroughly inspected and ready for spring. At Sanderson & DeHaan, our team is trained to make your sprinkler system maintenance easy, including taking the following steps:

• • We’ll wait until your system is not at risk of freezing temperatures.
  • We’re trained to spot hairline cracks and other problems before running water through the lines.
  • We will pressurize the irrigation system for the season.
  • We’ll also inspect the backflow preventer or pump to ensure proper operation.
  • We will manually test each station of the irrigation system and check for proper function.
  • If we notice any issues, we can make repair recommendations, and also take care of any head adjustments.
  • We’ll set the controller program for the spring watering.

Our company has been helping homeowners start up their irrigation systems with confidence for decades and are experts at what we do. If you’d like us to handle your irrigation system open this spring, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Call Sanderson & DeHaan for Help with Spring Sprinkler Start-Up!

When you choose Sanderson & DeHaan for lawn sprinkling systems, our Standard Service Agreement covers spring start-up service. Please call our team at (800) 489-4441 to schedule your appointments.

If you’re considering expanding your existing sprinkler system or want to install new irrigation, our team is here to answer your questions! We can help you set up a new system, fine-tune your watering schedule, and provide ongoing support for your irrigation system.