When and How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System

As the winter season approaches, it is important to start thinking about preparing your sprinkler system for the cold weather. After an intense summer, it can be easy to forget just how harsh the winter can be in states like Arizona and Colorado. If you want all of your landscaping equipment to survive until next spring, you need to prepare it for winter. If you properly winterize your sprinkler system, you can avoid costly damage to both your home and yard. 

Our experts at Pioneer Landscape Centers can explain how you can winterize your sprinkler system and how doing so can benefit you beyond avoiding repair costs. If you need any winter maintenance equipment, we can help.

When to Winterize Your Sprinkler System

Don’t be tricked by how warm it is during the day. While temperatures can still reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas, those same areas will drop below freezing at night time during the winter. Once it’s winter time, you need to get started.

It is important to winterize your sprinkler system ahead of time. You want to make sure you do it before the first freeze of the season hits. In Arizona and Colorado, this can be as early as October or November. It is always better to err on the side of caution and winterize your system a little early rather than risk it getting damaged by being caught unprepared.

How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System

We’ll walk you through some key steps to getting your sprinkler system ready. These steps include:

1. Shut off the Water Supply: The first step in winterizing your sprinkler system is to shut off the water supply. This is something people do even in places that don’t get as cold as Arizona and Colorado in the winter. Shutting off the water will prevent any water from entering the pipes during the freezing temperatures.
2. Drain the Water: Next, you will need to drain all the water from your sprinkler system. Shutting off the water supply will stop the water still in your sprinkler system from freezing. You can do this by turning on your sprinkler system and letting it run until no more water comes out of the sprinkler heads. Don’t unload all of the water into one spot or in places where it's not needed to avoid flooding your landscape.
3. Remove Any Water Left in the Pipes: Even after draining the water from your system, you may still have some water remaining in the pipes. To remove this water, you can use an air compressor to blow it all out. This step is crucial as any remaining water will likely freeze and cause damage to your pipes.
4. Protect Above-Ground Pipes: The pipes don’t just disappear. If you live in an area with extremely cold temperatures, you should protect your above-ground pipes from freezing. You can do this by wrapping them with insulation or using heat tape.
5. Inspect and Repair: While winterizing your system, it is a good idea to inspect for any damage or leaks. This will allow you to make any necessary repairs before the next irrigation season.
6. Turn Off Your Timers: Lastly, make sure to turn off and unplug any timers on your sprinkler system. This will prevent them from accidentally turning on during the winter months.

Benefits of Winterizing Your Sprinkler System

Winterizing your sprinkler system may seem like a hassle, but that should also signal that it's worth doing. It is crucial for maintaining the longevity of your home’s sprinkler system and preventing costly repairs. By properly preparing your system for the cold weather, you can avoid potential damage caused by freezing water and save money in the long run.

Some additional benefits of winterizing your sprinkler system include:

• Preventing frozen and burst pipes can avoid expensive repairs that can affect your whole household.
• Protecting your sprinkler heads from cracking or breaking due to freezing temperatures means you don’t have to replace them or remove them after they become a safety hazard.
• Maintain the efficiency of your system by preventing water waste and leaks.

Contact the Experts at Pioneer Landscape Centers for Help

If you have a sprinkler system, you should be winterizing it. With these steps, we hope you can properly prepare your system for winter and help you avoid costly damages. 

Don't wait until it's too late. Start thinking about winterizing your sprinkler system now. Your system will thank you for it in the long run. These simple steps can save you time, money, and stress during the winter months and make sure your sprinkler system is ready to go once spring arrives. 

If you have any questions or need help with your sprinkler system and winterizing the rest of your landscape, contact the experts at Pioneer Landscape Centers today.