When you turn on your sprinkler system after the winter or another long period of not being used, it’s important to do it correctly. We’ll take a step-by-step look at how to restart it in a way that can help keep your system operating safely and efficiently. [1]
Turning on sprinkler system after winter
First, make sure that the ground is thawed enough to safely start your sprinkler system. If it’s still frozen, the pipes could burst. You can check by digging at least 1 foot into the soil to confirm there’s no frost. [1]
Even if a sprinkler system is properly drained and prepared for the winter, the weather and other elements may have damaged it. Before beginning to reactivate the system, examine the sprinkler heads, valves and pipes to make sure everything is in working order. [2]
1. Check that the main sprinkler valve is turned off
Locate the main shutoff valve for your sprinkler system and confirm that it’s in the “off” position. The valve could be in the irrigation valve box, basement or crawl space. [3]
2. Locate the vacuum breaker and close the screws
The vacuum breaker will usually be outdoors, on the other side of the foundation from the main sprinkler valve. You’ll see 2 valves with handles and 2 smaller bleeder valves. On the bleeder valves, there are 2 small screws that need to be closed in the spring. With a flathead screwdriver, rotate the screws into a perpendicular position with the bleeder valve. [2]
3. On the vacuum breaker, open the large valves
To open the valves, turn the handles until they’re parallel to the pipes. [2]
4. Ensure bleeder valve caps are secure
If the vacuum breaker bleeder valve caps had been removed over the winter to allow airflow and protect against freezing, use pliers to tighten them on the valves. This will help protect against damage and prevent debris from getting into the valve. [2]
5. Open the main valve slowly
To avoid damage to your sprinkler system, open the main shutoff valve slowly. If you have a ball valve, the lever handle should be turned until it’s parallel to the pipe. If you have an in-ground shutoff valve, the sprinkler valve key should be used to turn the valve counterclockwise until it can’t go any further. [4]
6. Run a manual test
Manually test every zone of your sprinkler system for 3 to 5 minutes to check for any problems. For the first minute or so, the sprinkler heads might be expelling air or making other sounds, but this isn’t a cause for concern. [4]
7. Check vacuum breaker and valves for damage
While your system is running manually, go back to the vacuum breaker and valves and check them for leaks or damage. There might be a very small amount of water from the vacuum breaker, but there should be none from the valve. [2]
8. Program your sprinkler’s automatic watering system
Finally, program your sprinkler for automatic watering. As you do this, account for any updates from previous watering seasons, such as changes to your landscaping or new construction in or around your yard. [2]
Call for professional help when needed
As you’re working on the spring start-up, don’t hesitate to call a professional if you find damage or feel the system isn’t working as it should. They can troubleshoot and help ensure that the system is safe and functioning well.
To help keep your whole house protected, learn more about homeowners insurance.
Sources:
[1] “Is Your Sprinkler System Ready for Spring? Here’s How to Get Started,” rainbird.com/homeowners/blog/get-your-sprinkler-system-ready-for-spring (Accessed March 2025).
[2] “How to Turn on a Sprinkler System in the Spring,” Tom Scalisi, thisoldhouse.com/lawns/87528/turning-on-a-sprinkler-system (Accessed March 2025).
[3] “A 7 Step Guide to Turning on Sprinklers in Spring,” bathlandscapedesign.com/post/your-guide-to-turning-on-sprinklers-in-spring (Accessed March 2025).
[4] “How to Turn a Lawn Sprinkler System Back on in the Spring,” Aaron Stickley, thespruce.com/start-sprinkler-system-after-winterizing-2718904 (Accessed March 2025).
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