Skip to main content

Spring is here — schedule your irrigation startup!

Back to Resources

DIY Spring Startup Checklist

Interactive guide to check your sprinkler system after winter. Each item shows why it matters, how to check, and when you need professional help.

Self-diagnose issues
Know when to call a pro
Save on water bills
Feb-March
Best time for spring startup
8 zones
Average DFW irrigation system
$95-350
Typical repair cost range

Interactive Spring Startup Checklist

Walk your yard zone-by-zone and check every component of your irrigation system

5 Sections45+ Items~30 min
Overall Progress0/61 (0%)

Tap each item to mark as Pass, Fail, or Skip

Start at your irrigation controller — usually in the garage or on the side of the house.

Why This Matters

After winter storms and power outages, controllers can lose programming or have damaged displays. A dead controller means no zones will run.

How to Check

Check that the screen is lit and shows the current time. Press a few buttons to make sure the display responds. If the screen is blank, check the outlet and breaker.

What's Normal

The display should show the current date and time. You may see a blinking colon between hours and minutes.

Red Flags

  • •Completely blank screen with no response to buttons
  • •Screen shows garbled characters or random symbols
  • •Display flickers or cuts in and out
  • •Burning smell from the controller box

Why This Matters

The backup battery keeps your programming saved during power outages. Without it, a single outage can erase all your zone schedules.

How to Check

Open the controller panel and find the 9V battery (or CR2032 coin cell). Replace it if it is more than a year old. Some controllers show a low-battery icon on the display.

What's Normal

Battery should read above 7V on a multimeter. Most controllers display a battery icon when it is low.

Red Flags

  • •Battery is visibly corroded or leaking
  • •Controller loses programming after every power blip
  • •Battery compartment has white or green residue
  • •No battery installed at all

Why This Matters

Rain sensors save water by pausing irrigation after rainfall. Texas cities like Fort Worth and Allen require them by ordinance. A stuck sensor can either waste water or prevent watering entirely.

How to Check

Find the rain sensor bypass switch on your controller (usually labeled "Sensor" with On/Off or Bypass). Toggle it to Bypass — you should be able to run zones manually. Toggle it back to Active. If your sensor is wireless, check its battery too.

What's Normal

In Bypass mode, zones run regardless of rain. In Active mode, the sensor can block irrigation when wet. The controller may show a "RAIN" or "SENSOR" indicator.

Red Flags

  • •Zones will not run even in Bypass mode — wiring issue
  • •Rain sensor always shows "wet" even during dry spells
  • •Sensor disc is missing or cracked on the rooftop unit
  • •Toggle switch is broken or stuck in one position

Why This Matters

DFW cities enforce specific watering days (usually twice per week, before 10am and after 6pm). Running on the wrong days risks fines of $250+ and wastes water during peak evaporation.

How to Check

Check your city watering schedule at your water provider website. Verify each program (A, B, C) has the correct start times and watering days. Confirm run times per zone — typically 15-20 minutes for rotors, 8-12 minutes for spray heads.

What's Normal

Two watering days per week, start times before 10am or after 6pm. Seasonal adjust at 80-100% for spring.

Red Flags

  • •All programs show 12:00 AM — programming was likely reset
  • •Watering days do not match your city schedule
  • •Run times over 30 minutes per zone (causes runoff)
  • •Start times between 10am and 6pm (violates most DFW ordinances)

Why This Matters

Knowing how many zones you have and what each one covers helps you spot problems fast. A missing zone means part of your yard is not getting water.

How to Check

Count the wire pairs connected to your controller terminals. Run each zone one at a time using the manual test mode. Walk the yard and note which area each zone covers. Label them on the controller door or in a phone note.

What's Normal

Most DFW residential systems have 4-12 zones. Each zone should activate a distinct area of the yard with consistent head types (all spray or all rotor, not mixed).

Red Flags

  • •A zone number activates but you cannot find any heads running
  • •Two zones seem to water the same area
  • •More zones on the controller than wires connected
  • •A zone does nothing at all — no click from the valve, no water

Related Guides for Spring Startup

Deeper guides to specific issues you might find during your spring inspection.

Sprinkler System Not Turning On?

Step-by-step diagnostic if a zone won't come on after winter. Most spring startups uncover at least one.

Controller Programming Guide

Set seasonal adjust, watering days, and runtimes for spring conditions and DFW restrictions.

How to Adjust Sprinkler Rotors

Fix overspray, dry spots, and coverage drift on Hunter and Rain Bird rotors before summer arrives.

Choosing the Right Spray Nozzle

Decode nozzle labels and match precipitation rates if you're replacing heads this spring.

Find & Repair Buried Valves

Suspect a buried-valve leak? How pros locate and access them without digging up the yard.

DFW Seasonal Watering Schedule

Real runtime numbers for DFW clay, twice-weekly cycle-and-soak, and the fall taper most schedules miss.

Found Issues? We Can Help

Our certified technicians specialize in spring startups, leak repairs, and system inspections. Get your system running perfectly before the heat arrives.

Rather have a pro handle spring startup? Check out our Spring Tune-Up packages.

Schedule Spring StartupCall (469) 209-4110

Last updated: