Get Your Lawn Sprinklers Ready For Winter

Once the hot days of summer are over, it’s time to start preparing your home for winter. Cold weather preparation for outdoor areas also includes your sprinkler system. While irrigation is important during the dry months, during the cold months you need to protect that system from colder weather. Even in warmer climates, your sprinklers should still be prepared for drops in temperature below the freezing point. To ensure your irrigation system will survive the months ahead, it’s time to perform your fall sprinkler maintenance. 

Basic Sprinkler Winter Maintenance

To get your sprinklers prepared for winter, you must start by turning off the system and removing the water from the lines. The first step is to turn off the water at the main shut-off valve to stop any water from reaching the system. You can then turn your sprinkler system to rain mode if that option is available on your system, or turn off the power to the controller. This will shut off all signals to the valves. 

Next, you will need to remove the water from components, as dropping temperatures may cause it to freeze. In warmer climates, this may only be the sprinkler heads situated above ground, since it will rarely be cold enough to freeze the pipes underground. However, in colder climates, this will mean removing all the water from the pipes through either suction or blowing them out with air. In all climates, any pipes or components above ground will need to be insulated to protect them from freezing. 

If not winterized correctly, you may find in the spring that you have to replace your irrigation system due to freezing damage. Call a local landscaping contractor who specializes in sprinklers to have them get your irrigation system ready for the cooler months ahead.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Landscapers