How Do I Drain-Down and Start-Up My Sprinkler System?

FALL SPRINKLER DRAINAGE PROCEDURE:

1. Close Valve A (valve handle perpendicular to pipe).
2. Place a bucket under faucet B and open it fully.
3. Open Valves C 1/4 turn with a flat screwdriver (slot parallel to pipe).THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT. Please refer to photos to identify valves C on your particular vacuum breaker.
4. Do Not Adjust Valves D. These should remain fully open (handles parallel to pipe).
5. Start controller and let system run through a complete watering cycle. No heads will come up when you do this.
6. Turn controller to "Off" at the completion of the watering cycle.
   

SPRING SPRINKLER START-UP PROCEDURE:

1. Close Faucet B.
2. Close Valves C 1/4 turn with a flathead screwdriver (slot perpendicular to pipe).. Please refer to photos to identify valves C on your particular vacuum breaker.
3. Do not adjust Valves D. They should remain fully open (handles parallel with pipe).
4. Slowly open valve A fully (valve handle parallel with pipe). You should hear a rush of water filling the pipes.
5. Be sure to put a fresh battery in your controller (if it requires one). If your controller was plugged in over the winter, your fall schedule should remain intact. If you have unplugged your controller over the winter, you must reprogram it.
6. Monitor the first watering cycle and watch for any leaks or areas of the lawn that seem unusually wet. This could indicate a cracked pipe due to winter freezing. If any leaks are observed, turn the system off and call Nebraska Sod at (402) 423-1790 to schedule a service call.