Spring Start-Up Guide

Find the main shut off for your sprinkler system.

On some systems the shut off is in the basement and on others the shut off is outside. If you don't know where your shut off is you can look in the basement where the water supply comes through the foundation. If there are two shut off valves one of them should be for your house water and the other should be for your sprinkler system. If there is only one shut off valve then your sprinkler system shut off is probably outside. If your shut off is outside you will need to have a 54" key to reach the shut off valve that turns the water on. If you don't have a 54" key we sell them in our retail showroom.

Once you have located the shut off, turn the water on slowly until the main line is pressurized.

When the main line has pressurized you can open the valve the rest of the way. (If the main line doesn't pressurize you will need to start looking for a leak in the system - or call Reddi Irrigation for a service appointment.)

The next step is to set up your time clock.

Go to the clock and plug it into a live 110 outlet. This is a good time to change the battery back-up in your clock too! Reprogram the clock to start watering about 5:00am for what ever days you would like to water your lawn. This time of year Reddi Irrigation recommends only watering twice a week - adjusting for spring rainfall.

Finally, check each zone and head to make sure they are set for optimal watering.

What is a Backflow Preventer and Why Do I Have To Have One?

Backflow preventers prevent contamination in the soil around your sprinkler heads from getting into your drinking water. Every time your sprinkler system shuts down and drains back into the underground pipes, whatever contamination may be there on the surface will be carried into the pipes with the water as it drains. Bacteria from the soil, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, parasitic organisms, and even pet dirt can contaminate your system and make the water hazardous. Without a working backflow preventer to prevent reverse flows into your house piping, even minor pressure variation, such as flushing the toilet, or washing clothes can draw this contamination into your house piping. Please have your backflow preventer tested annually as required by city code to insure proper function and protection of your drinking water. This will not only help protect you and your family from unsafe drinking water, but also your neighborhood!

By: Bill Vines
Cross Connection Specialist-Wichita Water & Sewer

The City of Wichita requires certification of backflow devices once a year. The best time to have this done is in the spring time after the system has been turned on for the year.

Reddi Irrigation will certify your backflow and take care of all of the necessary paperwork for the City of Wichita for $35.00.

Add backflow certification to your regular Spring Start-Up maintenance and only pay an additional $25.00!

REDDICREDIT

No payments for 6 months when you use a Reddi Credit Account!