Sprinkler/Irrigation system start up/turning on (installation, leaks, vent)

[minister]

Okay, I'm an idiot, but this is what forums are for, right?

I have a sprinkler system at my home. I've never turned it on before, however. We just moved into the house in August. Can I have some assistance please?

Here's a picture of what the system looks like on the side of the house:
Photo Jul 01, 5 51 07 PM by ministerlane, on Flickr

There's one little valve in the front yard - and I'm not sure if I need to turn it or not.

I watched the guy come and winterize the system, and he only did something to this part, and the little valve in the front yard.

Of course, there's the control pad, but I know how to use that.

And please speak slowly - I'm not so bright when it comes to these things.

Thanks!

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by minister

I have a sprinkler system at my home.
I've never turned it on before...

I watched the guy come and winterize the system...

Call him to come back to get it going and to explain how it works.
Take notes.

[minister]

Originally Posted by MrRational

Call him to come back to get it going and to explain how it works.
Take notes.

Well, I was trying to save the $75 house call.

[Briolat21]

Sure - saving the $75 is reasonable - except that you don't exactly know what you're doing. Paying $75 to have the guy come out and *teach you* how to do this in the future isn't a bad thing.

I assume you live in the South (somewhere with no freeze?) - because otherwise most people take the backflow (which I assume that's what that is) off in the winter.

My husband reconnects our back flow (which is what that looks like in the picture) - then goes into the house and turns the water on. Since generally the valves on the back flow are in the open position (in line) that's really all there is to it (look for leaks at the backflow joints you just connected).

We also have to get a yearly inspection of the backflow (to prevent water from going back into the potable system - even though it comes from the potable system in the first place) in order to keep our right to a deduct meter (2nd water meter that deducts the amount of water diverted to the irrigation system, so that you are not billed for sewage on that water).

We're in Southern Ohio.

We pay someone for winterization (dont' have a powerful enough compressed air generator - and the big ones capable of blowing out a long sprinkler line are expensive - even to rent), and then turn it on in the Spring ourselves.

But my husband is vaguely handy and *watched* the guy do it for 2 years after it was installed (2 years complimentary start up/shut down came with our installation).

I imagine the valve in your yard is your water supply -- but that's a little odd (to me) as its either separate then from your house supply, or something else is going on.

Good luck! Happy irrigating (I love ours. Love love love not dragging hoses!)

[fallingwater]

I didnt know how to use ours either. We asked our neighbor We winterize ours every winter. Again, the neighbor showed us. It will be worth the 75 dollars to have someone come out. If you turn up the pressure too much you can shoot a sprinkler head right out of the ground. I mean....that's what I've heard. Well worth it to have someone go over the whole system with you because sprinkler heads aren't cheap when you replace a lot of them at once.

[reed303]

Too many unknowns here.
What is the purpose of the "little valve in the yard" ?? Is it open or closed ??
Why is the right-hand blue valve closed ?? There should be no water pressure on the right if "winterized".
Is the system fed direct from the street/meter ?? Or is there a valve inside the house ??

$75 will be money well spent to properly learn how this system works.