Skipping spring startup or fall winterization is how Lake Norman homeowners end up with cracked heads, burst pipes, and a full system replacement. Here's the right maintenance schedule.
Why Maintenance Matters More Than Most Realize
An irrigation system running without a spring inspection often has broken heads, cracked pipes from winter freeze damage, and zones running on incorrect schedules — watering the driveway instead of the lawn, overwatering shaded areas while drought-stressing sunny spots. These problems compound quietly and show up as dead spots, disease, or a water bill you can't explain.
Spring Startup: What It Should Include
Spring startup in Lake Norman happens late March through April. A proper startup includes: slow system pressurization to avoid water hammer; zone-by-zone inspection for coverage and alignment; broken head replacement; controller programming for spring conditions; and backflow preventer verification.
The backflow preventer protects your home's water supply from irrigation contamination. Many municipalities require annual inspection. A failed backflow device is a health issue, not just an irrigation issue.
Fall Winterization: Non-Negotiable in Lake Norman
Lake Norman's winters are mild enough that many homeowners skip winterization — and end up with cracked pipes when a hard freeze hits in January or February. Proper winterization involves blowing all water from the system using a commercial compressor. This requires the right CFM rating and proper zone sequencing — using the wrong equipment damages valves and heads. This is not a DIY job for most residential systems.
Winterize mid-October through November — before the first hard freeze but after the lawn has stopped growing.
Mid-Season Checks
Walk your zones once in June or July. Look for: heads not rotating, pooling water near heads (cracked pipe), brown spots suggesting incomplete coverage, and wet spots indicating underground leaks. Catching these early is far less expensive than end-of-season repairs.
Call 704-460-2019 to schedule spring startup or fall winterization throughout Lake Norman.
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