What is Sprinkler Winterization

A sprinkler system is a major investment in the health and quality of your lawn. You’ve enjoyed a summer of lush, green grass, but as cold weather starts to creep in you might be hesitant to put more money down on winterizing your system.

Sprinkler winterization is a crucial part of lawn maintenance, and not doing so can lead to serious damage and costly repairs in spring. If you’re still on the fence, here’s what an Indiana winter can do to your delicate sprinkler system.

How does winter affect my sprinkler system?

Indiana winters are nothing if not unpredictable. It’s not uncommon for the temperature to sit in the low 40s one week, only to plummet to single digits a few days later. Any time the temperature drops below the low 30s, that’s when winterizing becomes so important.

Freezing temperatures — again, those in the low 30s, not just single digits — cause the ground to freeze a few feet deep. That depth happens to be exactly where your sprinkler system’s pipes are laid. 

Why are frozen pipes dangerous for my sprinkler system?

Freezing ground temperatures cause the water in your pipes, valves and sprinkler heads to freeze. Now, we know what you’re thinking — so what if the water freezes? Won’t it just sit there as ice in my pipes all winter, then melt again in spring? 

The problem is that water expands when it freezes. As it expands, it puts pressure on your pipes which can cause cracks or bursting. That can lead to costly repairs in spring — digging up your pipes, patching up cracks, or outright replacing pipes that can’t be salvaged.

What other damage does winter cause?

Pipes aren’t the only part of your sprinkler system that can face serious damage if they aren’t winterized. Freezing temperatures can majorly damage your backflow preventer, too — and that’s a major problem.

In theory, a backflow prevention device is simple. It simply keeps water flowing in one direction, and prevents it from flowing back toward the source. But in practice, backflow preventers are complex pieces of equipment that can be easily damaged by frozen water.

You might remember the price tag on your backflow, because it’s one of the most costly parts of your irrigation system. Trust us when we tell you that the cost of winterizing your system is heavily overshadowed by the cost it would take to replace a damaged backflow device.

Sprinkler Winterization – How?

Sprinkler winterization can save you from damaged pipes and backflows, and keep you from paying for costly repairs in spring. When temperatures dip below the low 30s, it’s time to call on the pros at Innovative Irrigation to winterize your system.

Depending on the type of system you have, it will have to be drained in one of three ways: manual, automatic or blow-out. If blow-out is called for, we’ll bring in our specialized air compressor to get the job done.

It’s tempting to use your own air compressor for a blow-out, but household compressors don’t generate the air volume needed to do the job properly. They tend to leave small amounts of water in your pipes, which can still freeze and cause damage during winter. Innovative Irrigation’s compressors are built to get every last drop of water out of your pipes, so they’re safe all winter long.

Contact Us Today for Sprinkler Winterization

Early fall is the right time to start thinking about winterizing your sprinkler system. Innovative Irrigations serves the greater Indianapolis area including Marion and surrounding counties. To get your winterizing scheduled, you can reach out on our website, or pick up the phone and give us a call at 317-823-4506. We’re ready to prep your system for winter, and eager to bring it back to life in spring.