Irrigation · Service

Spring startup — pressurise slowly, then prove every zone

Bringing an irrigation system back after winter is more than opening the main. It is controlled refill, leak watching, head-by-head checks and a controller program that matches the new season — not last August’s memory.

Get matched free All irrigation services

In short

What is irrigation spring startup?

Irrigation spring startup reintroduces water after winterisation, inspects every zone under pressure, corrects heads and nozzles disturbed over winter, and sets a spring schedule on the controller. Done carefully, it prevents the surge damage of a slammed-open main. Done as a thirty-second valve twist, it finds cracks the expensive way — on your water bill. Spring startup is inspection under pressure: open water slowly, walk every zone, catch winter breaks, reset seasonal programs and fix what freeze season hid — not merely flipping the main valve and hoping.

Triggers

Signs you need irrigation spring startup

Frost risk has passed and lawns or beds need water again
You winterised last fall and have not yet opened the system this year
The controller still shows a winter off mode or empty programs
You see dry turf while neighbours’ systems are already running
Last fall’s blowout was DIY and you want a professional first pressurisation
You bought a house with irrigation over the winter and have never seen it run
You winterized last fall and need a controlled pressurisation this spring
You already opened the system and heard hissing or saw geysers at a head

Seeing something not on this list? Browse irrigation problems by symptom →

The job

How irrigation spring startup actually works

Visual pre-check before any water moves

Backflow assembly position, obvious broken heads, open trenches from winter utility work, and controller power are checked. Known damage is fixed or isolated before pressurising the whole yard. Flag repairs found during startup so they are scheduled, not forgotten until July brown-out.

Watch for: Opening the main into a system with a head twisted off at grade. You get a geyser and a mud pit before zone one is tested.
Open supply slowly and charge the mainline

Water is reintroduced gradually so air exits and water hammer does not spike fittings. Ball valves are not whipped from closed to full open in one motion. Reset controller seasonal programs; last autumn’s minutes are rarely right for spring soils.

Watch for: A full-open slam “to save time.” Time saved is often spent later replacing cracked PVC.
Activate each zone and walk the coverage

Every station runs long enough to show leaks, misaligned arcs, sunken heads, non-rotating rotors and valves that will not close. Notes become the repair list, not vague memories. Run each zone long enough to see full coverage, leaks and sunken heads from winter heave.

Watch for: Running zones from the house without walking. Back-yard geysers do not email you.
Service backflow test requirements if they apply

Many utilities require periodic testing of backflow assemblies after winter. Startup week is when that obligation reappears — device type and tester rules are local. Pressurise slowly and listen — air and water tell different stories in the pipe.

Watch for: Assuming irrigation water can legally flow without a required test. Utility notices arrive after the fact.
Program spring schedules and sensors

Runtimes start conservative for cool soil, rain sensors are verified, and smart controllers are given current Wi-Fi and seasonal settings. Last summer’s program is usually wrong for April. Locate shutoffs and backflow before you need them mid-geyser.

Watch for: Leaving July runtimes active in spring. You will overwater in mild weather and train disease.

Money

What does irrigation spring startup cost?

Spring startup is typically a flat seasonal service call, higher for large zone counts or when repairs are discovered mid-visit. Repairs found during startup — broken heads, bad valves, leaks — are usually extra. Bundling startup with minor head work on the same visit is more efficient than separate trips.

See the full irrigation spring startup cost guide — by material, size and region →

Straight answer

When irrigation spring startup is the wrong call

Everyone else ranking for this is paid when you say yes. Here's when you shouldn't.

Hard freeze nights are still likely in your area. Early startup followed by a freeze can undo winterisation and crack components.
You already know the mainline is broken. Fix the break before a full multi-zone startup walk.
There is no irrigation system — only hose bibs. This product assumes valves, zones and a controller.
You need a full redesign, not a seasonal turn-on. Startup will document symptoms; it will not re-zone the property.
The backflow was removed or damaged and not replaced. Do not run irrigation into a non-compliant connection.
You refuse to walk zones and only want the main opened. That is not startup service; that is risk transfer.

Straight answer

Can I do this myself?

Compressed air left in lines, damaged backflow assemblies and unknown underground work make slam-open startups risky. If you did not winterise the system and do not know its condition, a professional first pressurisation is cheaper than a mainline split under the drive. Opening a system full-blast into winter damage can enlarge breaks and flood basements or plantings — slow pressurisation is the professional habit.

Reasonable to DIY

Clearing mulch from valve boxes and locating the shutoff before any visit.
Photographing broken heads for parts runs.
Reprogramming seasonal adjust once a tech confirms the system holds pressure.
Testing a rain sensor with a simple wet simulation if the manual allows.

Call a licensed pro

First startup after buying a house with an unknown system.
Systems with backflow testing requirements you cannot self-certify.
Any startup that reveals a zone that will not shut off.
Large properties where a methodical zone walk is half a day of work.

Before you sign

What to check when hiring for irrigation spring startup

Do you open the system slowly and walk every zone, or only charge the main?

The walk is the service. The valve twist is the easy part.
How do you price repairs found during startup?

Surprises should have a rate card, not a blank cheque.
Will you set a spring-appropriate schedule on the controller?

Pressurised but unprogrammed systems still waste water.
Is backflow testing included, arranged, or out of scope?

Local rules differ; ambiguity becomes your compliance problem.
Do I get a written list of deficiencies even if I defer repairs?

A punch list is how you plan the next month’s work.
Do you walk every zone and adjust heads during startup, or only open the water?

Startup without inspection is just a valve turn.
What is your process if a mainline break appears under pressure?

Emergency repair terms should be clear before water hits the pipe.

All irrigation hiring checklists →

Local pros

Irrigation Spring Startup near you

Local pro matching for irrigation spring startup is rolling out by metro. Enter your ZIP and we'll match you with vetted pros in your area today.

Related work

Often done at the same time

Irrigation Winterization

The fall counterpart

Sprinkler Maintenance

In-season tune-ups

Sprinkler Repair

Faults found at turn-on

Irrigation Controller Installation

When the clock failed over winter

All irrigation services →

FAQ

Irrigation Spring Startup — questions people ask

Still have a question? Talk to our team →

When should I schedule spring startup?

After the solid freeze risk has passed for your area and before heat forces heavy watering. Local climate dominates — there is no national calendar date. Starting the week everyone else calls means longer waits.

Is spring startup the opposite of winterisation?

They are paired seasonal services, but not mirror images. Winterisation focuses on removing water; startup focuses on controlled refill and inspection. Many companies sell both; each still needs its own checklist.

Why did a pipe break when we turned the system on?

Freeze damage, ground movement, or water hammer from opening too fast. Air and water slamming through winter-weakened fittings find the weakest joint. Slow charge and pre-inspection reduce — not eliminate — that risk.

Can I start up without a professional?

Many homeowners do on simple systems they know well. Unknown systems, complex backflow assemblies and large zone counts are where paid startup earns its fee through method and leak-finding, not through secret tools.

Should sensors be enabled at startup?

Yes if installed. A rain sensor left bypassed all summer is a common waste pattern. Confirm it is wired, enabled and not stuck in the “wet” position from winter debris.

When should I start up irrigation in spring?

After hard freeze risk has passed for your area and before heat forces emergency watering. Local climate beats a national calendar. If a late freeze is forecast, waiting a week is cheaper than repairing ice-damaged valves you just energised.

Can I start up myself?

Many homeowners can open valves carefully and run zones if they know the system. Mainline breaks, valve failures and wiring faults still need pros. If you are unsure where the shutoff or backflow is, get help before you create a fountain.