For mountain and western regions of the United States, like Colorado, there is a season for turning on irrigation systems

Residents and business owners in the mountain and western region of the United States are familiar with annual irrigation rules. “Irrigation Season,” or Sprinkler Season, generally starts May 1, and ends October 1, but specific states may dictate different times. Western states mainly use sprinklers to keep their yards in good condition and prevent dry grass, but sometimes these handy devices can malfunction, causing water damage. Whether your sprinklers are used to keep your lawn healthy or are installed in your ceiling to help put out fires, a sprinkler system can be the source of major headaches if faulty.

So, what should you do if your sprinkler system malfunctions, and you find yourself with water damage? This article has the answers.

A History of Sprinkler Season

Western states have an extensive history with water regulations, and an increase in drought conditions has only exacerbated these guidelines, bringing higher visibility to the subject. For example, according to Colorado State University, the Centennial State’s history with water regulations can be traced back to the 1860s, when the Colorado Doctrine was introduced. This doctrine contains four main principles regarding water usage, which can be viewed on the university’s website.

Colorado is also a state that employs the “Prior Appropriation System” or “doctrine of prior appropriation.” This set of guidelines helps to address how Colorado handles water supply challenges, which are unique to this part of the Western United States. The Colorado Division of Water Resources says of the Prior Appropriation System, “This system of water allocation controls who uses how much water, the types of uses allowed, and when those waters can be used.”

Similarly, the Utah Department of Natural Resources outlines which regions of the state should water and when, while Nevada has adopted their own water conservation regulations. In fact, Las Vegas Valley Water District has a resource for residents to find their location's local rules. For more information on western water usage, visit the University of Nevada, Reno’s resource page.

Sprinkler Season Tips

Water usage in the western half of the United States is highly dependent on the weather, as dry conditions necessitate careful consideration of water usage. Furthermore, yard sprinklers can cause damage if they malfunction, flooding the foundation of your home or business. If not stopped quickly, sprinkler water can seep into your property and flood your basement or crawlspace; if you’ve left a window open, it may even reach your living room or other interior areas. While you should always check your local guidelines, Colorado’s 9News recommends the following four-step process for Sprinkler Season that should prove useful no matter where you live. (Keep in mind, Denver Water recommends waiting to turn on your sprinkler until after the last freeze of the year, which typically occurs around May 5.)

Locate your irrigation box (usually in the front of your house); open it, turn off the drain valve, and cover it back up
Locate your back flow preventer to stop sprinkler water from going into your drinking water; find the ports, then use a flat blade screwdriver to turn the ports against the pipe, so they are closed
Locate the style ball valve (usually located in the basement) and open it so it is parallel to the pipe
Locate and turn on your sprinkler system controller

Signs of Faulty Sprinklers

What signs should you look for to determine if your sprinklers are malfunctioning? Outback Landscape describes five signs to look for:

Spray patterns are irregular
Water pressure is unusually high or low
Water puddles around the sprinkler and on your lawn
Automatic sprinklers are jammed or won’t come up
Controller system isn’t working or has issues

Ceiling Sprinkler Damage

Ceiling sprinklers are everywhere—schools, hospitals, churches, businesses, and more. But what happens when these fire sprinklers go rogue, damaging valuable items and property? SERVPRO^® is prepared to provide elite service to return your space to pre-loss condition. The eight-step water damage restoration process SERVPRO technicians utilize will help to restore your property and get you back up and running as quickly as possible. SERVPRO also offers additional services that may be required in the aftermath of malfunctioning sprinklers, such as document restoration, mold remediation, and construction services. Remember, SERVPRO provides cleanup and restoration services for both residential and commercial spaces.

The SERVPRO water damage restoration process includes the following steps:

Emergency Contact, where a specialist will ask you a series of questions during initial communication, to determine size and scope of work, and necessary equipment and personnel
Inspection and Water Damage Assessment, where technicians will survey the property to determine an appropriate plan of action (if necessary, the source of water will be located and stopped at this stage)
Water Removal, where technicians place pumps and extraction units to thoroughly remove water
Damaged Material Removal, where non-salvageable items are efficiently removed from the space (This will be communicated to you, and take place as early as possible to speed up the drying process)
Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Deodorization, where personal belongings, furniture, and other affected items are cleaned using specialized equipment and techniques
Drying, where specialized drying methods help to extract water from the areas you can’t see (drying equipment is typically placed during SERVPRO’s first visit)
Monitoring, where technicians routinely visit the property to assess drying progress and adjust as needed
Repairs and Construction, where final recommendations are made (this may include construction services to make it “Like it never even happened,” as part of SERVPRO’s full-service offering)

SERVPRO is Available Around the Clock

If your lawn sprinkler system causes water damage to your home or business, remember there are over 2,100 SERVPRO franchises across the United States and Canada, and local teams in Denver, Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and more. SERVPRO franchises are in cities across the Rocky Mountain Region, ready to assist with all manner of cleanup and restoration. When Western U.S. residents start spring cleaning and turn on those sprinklers during annual Irrigation Season, water damage can occur. Rest assured, your local SERVPRO is prepared to assist with large and small water damage jobs, even if your yard irrigation system caused the problem.

Your local restoration professionals can handle water and fire damage, mold remediation (which often grows after excessive moisture is present), storm damage, and more. SERVPRO even offers construction services to fully return your property to pre-loss condition, “Like it never even happened.” Give your local SERVPRO a call today and let us demonstrate why we are the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration.