November 5, 2025

Hi folks — Bob Carr here.

If you’ve ever turned your irrigation system back on in spring and heard sputtering, strange noises, or seen a few geysers in the yard, don’t worry — you’re not alone. It happens every year.

After forty-plus years helping Maryland homeowners protect their lawns, lighting, and outdoor systems, I can tell you this: what you do in the first few weeks of spring determines how well your system runs all year.

Most people think “spring startup” just means turning the water back on. But it’s really a tune-up — part science, part art, part detective work. When we restart a system at TLC, we’re not just flipping a switch; we’re listening to what winter left behind.

Today, I want to share our insider process — the little steps most homeowners never see — so you can understand what goes into a healthy, leak-free, efficient irrigation and lighting startup. Whether you’re a DIY type or you just want to know what you’re paying for, these are the Spring Startup Secrets every homeowner should know.

1. The Early Bird Advantage

When the temperature starts creeping back into the 50s and 60s, the phone at TLC starts ringing off the hook. Everyone wants their system turned on at once. But here’s the secret: starting early doesn’t just get you ahead — it saves you money.

If your irrigation system has a leak, bad seal, or cracked valve from winter, the sooner we find it, the cheaper it is to fix. Waiting until May or June can mean digging through a wet lawn instead of dry soil — and that alone can double repair time.

We recommend scheduling your startup right after the threat of frost is gone — typically late March to mid-April here in Maryland. It’s the sweet spot: early enough to catch problems, late enough to avoid overnight freezes.

2. What a True “Spring Startup” Looks Like (Behind the Scenes)

When our technician pulls into your driveway, they’re not just flipping a valve and heading out — they’re performing a 25-point inspection that covers hydraulics, wiring, coverage, and performance.

Here’s what that looks like, step-by-step:

1. Reopen the main water supply slowly to avoid pressure shock that can damage pipes.
2. Check every valve box for debris, insects, or winter flooding.
3. Inspect the backflow preventer for cracks or loose fittings.
4. Pressurize each zone one at a time, watching for leaks or weak heads.
5. Clean and adjust sprinkler heads — winter can tilt or bury them.
6. Test for even coverage with catch cups or pressure gauges.
7. Inspect controller wiring and backup battery — cold weather can corrode terminals.
8. Reprogram your controller for optimal seasonal run times.
9. Check rain sensors and smart controllers for calibration.
10. Run a water meter test to look for slow leaks between the meter and system.

That’s the TLC difference. We don’t just “turn it on” — we tune it up.

3. The Most Common Spring Problems We Find (and How to Spot Them Early)

Every spring, our technicians see the same handful of issues again and again. Most are small — until they’re ignored.

⚠️ Cracked Backflow Preventer

This brass component keeps contaminated water from re-entering your home’s supply. Even a hairline crack can cause leaks or pressure loss. If you notice damp soil near it, call us — a replacement now is far cheaper than emergency service later.

⚠️ Broken or Tilted Heads

Snowplows, foot traffic, or lawn equipment can knock heads off alignment. That leads to overspray, wasted water, and dry patches. A quick adjustment restores proper coverage.

⚠️ Controller Malfunctions

Cold weather and power surges can wipe out memory. Always check your controller’s date, time, and program before the first run.

⚠️ Leaky Fittings or Joints

Frozen water expands in fittings. When they thaw, they often drip slowly underground — unseen until your next water bill arrives. Watch for soggy patches or unusually green grass strips.

Catching these now can prevent hundreds in water loss and repair costs later.

4. Fine-Tuning Your Controller: The Secret to Lower Bills and Greener Grass

Most homeowners never touch their irrigation controller after the first install — and that’s a mistake.

Your controller is the “brain” of your system. If it’s still running last summer’s schedule, you’re likely overwatering, wasting money, and stressing your grass.

Here’s Bob’s Golden Rule for controller setup:

Water less often, but more deeply.

That means longer, less frequent cycles that soak roots instead of just wetting the surface.

In spring, we typically program systems for two watering days per week, early morning start times, and zone-specific run lengths based on sun exposure and soil type.

If you have a smart controller, we link it to real-time weather data — so it automatically adjusts for rainfall and temperature. It’s one of the easiest upgrades you can make for water savings and healthier lawns.

5. The Lighting Reboot: Bringing Back the Glow

Spring isn’t just about sprinklers — it’s also the perfect time to reawaken your outdoor lighting after months of snow, ice, and debris.

Here’s what TLC’s lighting team does during a seasonal check-up:

• Clean lenses and fixtures. Winter dirt and salt can dull your lighting by 30%.
• Replace failed bulbs or LEDs. Even long-life fixtures eventually fade.
• Re-aim lights. Shrubs grow, trees fill in, and light angles need adjusting.
• Inspect wiring and transformers. Moisture can loosen connectors.
• Reprogram timers and smart systems. Sunset times change — your lights should too.

A good lighting system isn’t “set it and forget it.” It’s a living part of your home that deserves the same seasonal care as your lawn or irrigation.

6. The Hidden Value of Early Detection

When we check your system zone by zone, we’re not just making sure it sprays — we’re reading its health. Pressure changes, flow rates, and even sound tell us stories about what’s happening underground.

A faint hiss at a valve could mean a pinhole leak. A weak zone might indicate a partial blockage. By catching these early, we prevent major mid-summer failures that would otherwise require digging up your yard in July.

At TLC, we document every startup visit — with notes, photos, and zone readings — so next year’s technician knows exactly what changed. That continuity saves time, money, and frustration.

7. The TLC “Smart Upgrade” List

Each spring, we offer optional upgrades that make systems smarter, leaner, and more efficient.

If your system is more than 5–7 years old, consider:

• Smart Wi-Fi controller — adjusts automatically for weather, saving 30–50% on water.
• Pressure-regulated heads — deliver consistent spray regardless of PSI.
• High-efficiency nozzles — improve coverage with less misting and runoff.
• Flow sensors — detect leaks instantly and shut down the system automatically.
• LED lighting retrofits — cut energy use and extend bulb life tenfold.

These aren’t gimmicks. They’re field-tested upgrades that pay for themselves quickly — and they help the environment too.

8. TLC’s “Green Zone” Promise

A lot of companies treat irrigation like plumbing — “install it and forget it.” But at TLC, we treat it like landscaping — something that grows, breathes, and changes.

When our technicians start your system in spring, they’re not just thinking about pipes. They’re looking at soil health, water pressure, slope, and sun exposure. They’ll tell you where to aerate, where coverage overlaps, and where your lawn might be wasting water.

That’s the TLC difference: we’re not just service people; we’re stewards of your landscape.

9. How to Know If Your System Is Ready

Here’s a quick checklist to make sure you’re ready for spring startup:

✅ The forecast shows no overnight freezes for at least a week.
✅ Your main shutoff valve is accessible and in good shape.
✅ Your backflow preventer is free of visible cracks or leaks.
✅ You’ve cleared debris from valve boxes and around heads.
✅ Your controller is powered, programmed, and backed up.

If you check those boxes, you’re ready to call TLC for your startup — and we’ll handle the rest.

10. From Shutdown to Startup — The Circle of Care

That’s what spring startup is really about — reconnecting everything you protected last fall. It’s that moment when we bring water back to life, light up the yard again, and get your property ready for family barbecues, kids’ games, and quiet evenings outdoors.

At TLC, we call it The Circle of Care.
We shut down your system in fall, protect it all winter, and bring it back to full health in spring. That continuity is how we keep systems running for decades — not just seasons.

11. A Personal Note from Bob

After all these years, there’s still nothing I enjoy more than that first sunny day when we turn a system back on and everything hums perfectly.

It’s not just about sprinklers or lights — it’s about homeowners trusting us year after year to keep their homes beautiful and safe. That’s what TLC has been built on since day one: trust, longevity, and care.

So before spring gets away from you, give us a call. Let’s get your system started the right way — clean, tuned, and ready to thrive. Because once summer hits, you’ll be glad you started early.

From my family to yours — welcome back to the season of growth.
Let’s make it your best one yet.

Ready to schedule your spring startup?
📞 Call TLC at 410-238-1599 or visit tlcincorporated.com to book your service today.

— Bob Carr

 

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