How to Winterize Irrigation Systems
Irrigation and sprinkler systems are helpful additions to any property. During spring and summer, they provide landscapes with much-needed water, keeping lawns, gardens, and other plants healthy. However, as the cold months of winter approach, the need to water your landscape fades away. At this point, you’ll need to prepare the irrigation system for freezing weather because if you don’t, real damage can occur.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to winterize irrigation systems so you can get ready for the chilly days ahead. We are Hydro Tech Irrigation, a locally owned business in Powell, OH. Trust our experience, and remember, if you need help winterizing, we’re always a phone call away.
Why Winterization Is Necessary
You may be curious why you need to winterize your irrigation system at all. The answer is simpler than you might think. In short, it’s because irrigation systems use water. And what does water do when it’s cold outside? That’s right—it freezes. This can affect all parts of your irrigation system. The water supply, pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads are all likely to have residual water in them, and when the temperature drops below thirty-two degrees, all that water will solidify.
This wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for one thing. When water turns into ice, it expands. This causes pipes to crack or burst. (Some materials are more prone to breaking than others—for example, PVC pipes.) It will also damage sprinkler heads and deform valves. In other words, if you don’t winterize your pipes, you’re in for a rude awakening in spring when you have to spend hundreds of dollars repairing the damage.
Turning Off the Water Supply
If water is going to be a problem during the winter, it’s only common sense that you should turn off your irrigation system’s water supply. Have you forgotten where the shutoff valve is? It should be located near your property’s water meter. Simply turn this valve clockwise, and just like that, your irrigation system will be disconnected from water. Pretty simple, right?
Turning off the water supply is the single most important part of preparing your irrigation system for the winter. So, if you only have one takeaway from our guide on how to winterize irrigation systems, make sure this is it!
Drain the System
Now that you’ve turned off the water supply, it’s time to completely drain the system. The correct technique depends on your irrigation system. We’ve provided the three most common methods of draining irrigation systems below.
- Manual Drain Valves. Don’t be scared by the word “manual” in this case. It’s actually quite simple. Simply open the manual drain valves on your irrigation system, and the water will drain out over the course of the next few minutes.
- Automatic Drain Valves. When water pressure drops, automatic drain valves open on their own. This means you don’t even need to think about draining them. It’s a built-in feature, saving your time and energy.
- Blow-Out Method. Sometimes, irrigation systems need to be drained with a special blow-out technique. By attaching an air compressor to the mainline and blowing out each zone with 50 PSI, you’ll flush out any water left in the pipes.
Insulate Above-Ground Components
The majority of your irrigation system is underground. However, there are still parts of it that are poking above the surface. These components, especially sprinkler heads, are at a much higher risk of frosting over. This drastically increases the chance that they will become damaged. Because of this, it’s important to insulate these components from the harsh winter elements.
Foam pipe insulation is your friend during this work. Simply cut a length that fits the components that you are trying to keep warm. Then, slip it on like a glove! Some property owners have even insulated irrigation system components with towels and washcloths.
Review the System For Damage
Learning how to winterize irrigation systems is a great way to take charge of your own property. While you’re at it, why not review the system for damage, too? Over the course of a busy year, your sprinklers work hard to keep your landscape in pristine condition. However, along the way, your irrigation system can become damaged in numerous different ways. The natural shifting of soil can bend pipes. Sprinkler heads can be eroded by debris. You may have accidentally broken a part of the system while mowing your lawn.
By thoroughly reviewing your irrigation system, you’ll be able to identify this damage and arrange repairs. Why do this during winter instead of spring? During the winter, you don’t need to use your irrigation system. So, it won’t be a big deal if it is out of commission because of repairs for several weeks. Make sure your sprinklers are ready to go when spring rolls around!
DIY Versus Professional Irrigation Services
As you’ve discovered, learning how to winterize irrigation systems involves many different steps. Depending on your system, this work could range from easy to difficult. What should you do if your system needs to be blown out, but you don’t have the correct equipment? And what should you do if you need irrigation repairs? While you could do this work on your own, you could also save time and energy by scheduling an appointment with Hydro Tech Irrigation.
We are a locally owned and operated business, and installing, repairing, and maintaining irrigation systems is our specialty. So, if you need our help winterizing your system, feel free to contact us online. We would be happy to help you, and we’ll also give you a free cost estimate. That way, you understand what you are paying for our services before you have even scheduled an appointment.