Sprinkler Start-up: For those of you who have in-ground sprinkler systes, I thought this might help you. Tools: Flat head screwdriver and maybe a Channel Lock or big plyers. (Print off this picture and this E-mail) 1. Grab a beer. Open beer and enjoy. 2. Go outside to the Vaccum Breaker (where the water comes out of the house) 3. Close the Petcocks. They are two little fittings sticking out of the fitting about the size of half of your pinky finger. Use the flat-head screw driver and turn the "slot" so that they are up and down. If you turn them so they are pointing in line with the fitting, water will come out of the end of the fitting. Referring to the picture: the things on the right are the petcocks. I leave the fittings at a 45 degree angle like the picture shows. The "closed" position, the lines go up an down - perpendicular to the fitting. 4. Close both in-line valves outside. If you have gate valves (which have the wheel like a hose faucet) rightey-tightey. If you have ball valves as shown in the picture above, turn them so they are perpendicular to the pipe. In the picture, when the handles go along with the pipe the valves are open. 5. If you have a plug, use some Teflon thread tape and thread the plug back into the fitting. If you have a hose connection close the hose fitting. Be sure to use Teflon tape for the plug as it will allow the plug to be removed without breaking anything next fall. It will also help prevent leaks. A roll of Teflon tape is like a dollar at the local hardware store 6. Go inside and turn on the water (don’t forget to grab another beer). Turn it on slowly - don't just open it all the way. If it keeps running for a while, go outside and see if there is anything open. 7. Referring to the picture. open the bottom valve first. This will let water go up to the Vacuum breaker and stop at the next valve. You might get a little water out of the top of the Vacuum breaker as the water pushes the fitting shut. If it keeps flowing close the valve and open it fast. 8. Referring to the picture, open the top valve. Open this one about 1/4 of the way for a few minutes, then 1/2 way. Wait until the water stops flowing (you'll hear it - or put your ear to the pipe if you can't). After it's stopped flowing, open the valve all the way. Then go to the clock, plug it in and set the time and all that stuff. If you have trouble send me a PM and I'll do my best to walk you thru it. If you want me to come turn it on for you, I can do it but I'l have to charge you for the time and the drive.
