As we move away from the hot Utah summer and toward the colder winter, residents around the state have to be thinking about a few basic property considerations. One important one for any home that contains such a system: How to winterize your irrigation system to prevent damage during the winter due to freezing temperatures.
At Aeroscape, we’re proud to offer a huge range of landscape maintenance services to clients around Salt Lake City, South Jordan, Draper, Sandy and nearby areas, including sprinkler repair and a variety of other services to assist with your irrigation system. Here are some basics on why it’s important to winterize the irrigation system ahead of winter, some tips on when to do so, and some basic steps to follow (either on your own or with the help of our landscaping professionals if needed).
Whether you have a drip irrigation system, a traditional sprinkler system or any other type, it’s crucial to properly winterize it before the colder temperatures arrive. This is because when water freezes, it expands – and this can cause major damage to your irrigation system if you’re not careful.
If there is still water in your irrigation pipes when the temperature drops below freezing, the expansion of ice can cause cracks or even burst pipes. This means that once spring arrives and you turn on your irrigation system again, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise as water leaks from unexpected places throughout your yard.
The right time to winterize your irrigation system will depend on a few factors, including where you live and the type of system you have. Typically, it’s best to begin the winterization process at least a few weeks before the first frost is expected. This will give you enough time to complete all the necessary steps and ensure that your system is fully protected before temperatures drop too low.
If you’re unsure about when exactly to start winterizing your irrigation system, our team at Aeroscape can help. We’ll take into account your location and specific needs to determine the ideal time for winterization.
Our next several sections will go over the simple steps to winterizing an irrigation system. If you have any questions or need assistance, our team is happy to assist you – just give us a call!
The most important part of this process actually happens at the beginning: Shutting down your stop-and-waste valve. This is the main valve that controls the flow of water into your irrigation system, and it’s crucial to shut it off before winter begins.
To do this, locate the stop-and-waste valve on your property (it may be in different locations depending on your setup). Turn the handle on the top clockwise until it stops – this should completely close the valve and prevent any water from flowing through.
In many cases, this valve will be located within a buried box for protection. If so, you may need to use a screwdriver or other tool to open the lid and access the valve. Once again, our team is happy to help if you have any issues here.
Once the stop-and-waste valve is shut off, it’s time to focus on any above-ground components of your irrigation system. This includes both the backflow preventer and any exposed pipes or sprinkler heads.
For the backflow preventer, use insulation tape or foam to wrap around the pipes and cover any exposed metal parts. You can also purchase a specific cover for the backflow preventer if you prefer.
For any exposed pipes or sprinkler heads, use insulation tape or foam to wrap them as well. You may also want to consider covering them with an inverted bucket or upside-down trash can for added protection from freezing temperatures.
It’s also important to drain any underground pipes in your irrigation system to prevent them from freezing. Start by shutting off the main water supply to your home and then heading outside to open all the drain valves on your sprinkler lines.
Next, use an air compressor to blow out any remaining water from the pipes. Be sure to follow safety precautions when using an air compressor, and if you’re unsure of how to do this step, our team can assist you.
Finally, if you have an automatic controller for your irrigation system, it’s important to turn it off for the winter. This will prevent any watering from occurring during freezing temperatures and keep your system safe.
Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions for turning off the controller, or give us a call and we can assist you with this step.
Winterizing your irrigation system is a simple process that can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run. By following these basic steps or enlisting the help of our landscaping professionals at Aeroscape, you can ensure that your irrigation system is fully protected during the colder months. Contact us for help with this or any other landscaping service around SLC, South Jordan, Draper, Sandy and nearby areas.
