TL;DR: Spring sprinkler startup in Salt Lake City (late March–May). Turn on water slowly, inspect for freeze damage, test zones. Pro service $80–150.
Winter freeze-thaw cycles in Salt Lake City crack pipes, damage valves, and shift sprinkler heads in clay soil. A proper spring sprinkler startup finds these problems before they flood your yard or spike your water bill. This eight-step guide walks you through activating your irrigation system—or contact Simms Landscape at (801) 285-9343 for professional irrigation services.
30+ years serving Salt Lake County means we know what Utah winters do to sprinkler systems. Skipping startup inspection leads to $500–2,000 in emergency repairs. A $80–150 professional startup prevents that.
Why Spring Sprinkler Startup Matters in Salt Lake City
Pipes expand and contract through winter freeze-thaw cycles. Valves crack when water freezes inside them. Sprinkler heads shift as clay soil swells and shrinks.
Just turning on your system in spring without inspection risks:
- Broken pipes flooding your yard ($500–1,500 repair)
- Stuck valves running continuously ($200–800 water bill)
- Cracked backflow preventers ($400–800 replacement)
- Damaged controller from winter power surges ($150–400)
A systematic startup process catches problems early when repairs cost $100–300 instead of thousands.
When to Start Your System (March–May Timing)
Schedule your spring sprinkler startup for late March through early May in Salt Lake City. The ground must be fully thawed and nighttime temperatures should stay above 32°F consistently.
Simms typically runs spring startups from mid-March through April across Salt Lake County—Sandy, Draper, South Jordan, Murray, and surrounding areas. Early scheduling avoids the April rush when everyone realizes their system needs work.
Starting too early? A late freeze can crack newly activated pipes. Starting too late? Your lawn goes brown in May heat.
Step-by-Step Spring Startup Process
Step 1: Turn On the Main Water Supply Slowly
Locate your irrigation system’s main shut-off valve—usually near the water meter or in a valve box by the street. Open it gradually: one full turn, wait 30 seconds, then fully open.
Why slow? Water hammer from fast startup cracks pipes and damages valves, especially in Salt Lake City’s clay soil installations where pipes settle unevenly over winter.
Step 2: Inspect the Backflow Preventer
Check your backflow preventer for cracks, leaks, or freeze damage. Open any test cocks or petcocks that were left open during winterization.
See water leaking? Device looks cracked? Stop. Call Simms at (801) 285-9343 before proceeding. Backflow repairs run $400–800 and you can’t legally operate without one in Salt Lake City.
Step 3: Check and Adjust the Controller
Verify your timer has power and shows the correct date and time. Winter power surges or dead backup batteries cause issues.
Set a spring watering schedule:
- April–May: 2–3 times per week
- Per zone: 10–15 minutes
- Adjust up as temps rise in June
Salt Lake City typically has water conservation guidelines during drought years. Check current restrictions at slc.gov before programming your controller.
Step 4: Manually Test Each Zone
Run each sprinkler zone one at a time for 2–3 minutes from your controller. Stand in your yard and watch. Look for:
- Broken or missing heads
- Leaks at valve boxes
- Zones that won’t turn on
- Heads that don’t pop up
- Uneven spray coverage
Mark problem spots with flags. Winter freeze-thaw shifts heads in Utah’s clay soil—expect to find a few out of position.
Step 5: Inspect and Adjust Sprinkler Heads
Walk your property while zones run. Adjust spray direction on rotors and spray heads so they cover grass, not sidewalks, driveways, or your neighbor’s car.
Clean any heads clogged with dirt or debris. Replace cracked or damaged heads immediately—freeze damage won’t fix itself and broken heads waste hundreds of gallons per week.
Step 6: Test the Rain Sensor and Shut-Off Features
Verify your rain sensor works. Spray it with water to simulate rain. The system should shut off within seconds.
No response? Replace the sensor. Running sprinklers during spring rains wastes water and violates Salt Lake City conservation guidelines. New sensors cost $30–80 and install in 10 minutes.
Step 7: Check for Leaks and Low-Pressure Zones
Look for soggy spots in your yard, constant drips at valve boxes, or zones with weak spray pressure.
Low pressure often means a leak underground or a stuck valve. Salt Lake’s freeze-thaw cycles crack PVC pipes regularly. Early detection prevents $500–2,000 repair bills and water waste.
Found a leak? Shut off that zone via your controller. Call Simms at (801) 285-9343 for professional leak detection and repair.
Step 8: Flush the System and Clean Filters
Remove the last sprinkler head on each zone (the one farthest from the valve). Run water for 30–60 seconds to flush debris and sediment.
Clean any inline filters at your backflow preventer or valve manifold. Winter pipe expansion and contraction shakes loose sediment that clogs heads.
Replace the heads, check for leaks at the connection, and you’re done.
Troubleshooting Common Spring Startup Issues
Zone won’t turn on
Check if the valve is stuck or the solenoid is damaged. Try manually opening the valve (turn the bleed screw counterclockwise). If it still won’t run, the valve diaphragm may be cracked from freezing. Call Simms at (801) 285-9343 for valve replacement—$150–300 per zone.
Low pressure or weak spray
Look for leaks along the zone line. Check valve boxes and low spots in your yard where water pools. If no visible leaks, you likely have a cracked pipe underground (common in Salt Lake’s clay soil). Professional leak detection runs $200–400.
Controller won’t power on
Check the circuit breaker and plug. Replace the backup battery if it has one. If still no power, the controller may have a fried transformer from a winter power surge. Replacement runs $150–400 depending on model.
Water won’t shut off
A valve is stuck open. Manually close it via the bleed screw. If that doesn’t work, shut off your main water supply and call for service immediately. Running water can flood your yard and spike your water bill by hundreds. Emergency repairs available from Simms.
Professional Startup vs DIY
DIY Approach:
- Free (your time only)
- 2–3 hours of work
- Risk: miss hidden freeze damage, leaks, valve issues
- No professional leak detection or pressure testing
- You buy your own replacement parts
Simms Professional Service:
- $80–150 flat rate (most homes)
- 45–60 minutes on site
- Full system inspection included
- Catch problems early: $100–300 fixes vs $500–2,000 emergencies
- Professional adjustments for optimal coverage
- Backflow testing available same visit ($50–100 add-on)
- 30+ years experience with Salt Lake City irrigation systems
We also schedule your fall sprinkler winterization while we’re there. One call, both seasons covered—$200–250 for spring startup + fall winterization package.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start my sprinkler system in Salt Lake City?
Late March through early May, depending on weather. Wait until nighttime temps stay above freezing consistently (32°F+) and the ground is fully thawed. Simms typically schedules spring startups from mid-March through April. Starting too early risks freeze damage to newly activated pipes.
How much does professional spring sprinkler startup cost in Salt Lake City?
Most Salt Lake City homes pay $80–150 for professional startup service. This includes system inspection, valve testing, head adjustments, and controller programming. Simms provides flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees—30+ years serving Salt Lake County.
Can I start my sprinkler system myself or should I hire a professional?
You can do it yourself if you’re comfortable with basic troubleshooting. However, professionals catch freeze damage, leaks, and valve issues early—preventing costly repairs. Simms inspects your entire system during startup and fixes problems on the spot for $80–150 vs $500–2,000 in emergency repairs later.
What happens if I find a leak during startup?
Shut off that zone immediately via the controller. Mark the leak location. Call Simms at (801) 285-9343 for leak repair. Typical pipe repairs run $200–500. Valve repairs run $150–300. Caught early, most leaks are quick fixes.
Do I need to adjust my watering schedule for spring in Salt Lake City?
Yes. Spring needs less water than summer. Start with 2–3 times per week, 30–45 minutes per zone in April–May. Adjust up as temperatures rise in June. Salt Lake City has watering restrictions during drought years—check current guidelines at slc.gov.
Should I test my backflow preventer during startup?
Inspect it visually for cracks and leaks. Official backflow testing and certification is required annually in Salt Lake City. Simms offers certified backflow testing ($50–100) when we do your spring startup—one visit, both services done.
Ready to Get Your System Running?
Call Simms Landscape at (801) 285-9343 or request an estimate. We also handle sprinkler system repair and backflow testing and certification year-round across Salt Lake County.
Serving Sandy, Draper, South Jordan, West Jordan, Murray, and surrounding areas. Clear scopes. Clean jobs. 30+ years of experience.