3 Reasons to Winterize Your Sprinkler System [ How & When to Do It]
Lawn Sprinkler Winterization Services – If you live in Westchester County or any other part of the Northern US, you know winter temperatures often drop below freezing; the question is, when will it start?
The icy weather can severely damage your sprinkler system if you aren’t ready for the cold winter. And that’s why we all need to winterize our lawn sprinkler systems before the first frost.
Why Should You Winterize Your Sprinkler System?
If you want your sprinkler system to run smoothly for a long time, you should winterize it as the weather gets colder. Here are three main reasons to consider professional sprinkler winterization:
Lawn Sprinkler Winterization Services - How Do You Winterize Your Sprinkler System?
The winterization process involves blowing out water from all the irrigation components. The goal is to eliminate the likelihood of freeze damage. Experts advise homeowners to winterize their sprinkler systems one week before the first freeze.
- Manual: You shut the water supply and let the water inside the pipes drain out through manual valves:
- Blow-Out Method: If your sprinkler system is complex, use an air compressor to blow out water held in the pipes.
If winterization is done correctly, it takes at least two minutes to run air through every zone. If you have an eight-zone system, for instance, a professional will require less than 30 minutes to winterize.
Why Should You Hire an Expert?
When it comes to winterizing your sprinkler system, you can hire a professional or choose the DIY route. You can do it on your own if you have the right equipment and experience. You can also check online videos about how to winterize a sprinkler system. The steps you’ll take depend on various factors, including the type of irrigation system you have, its size, and its components.
However, hiring a certified irrigation expert is a better option. Hiring an expert means getting the job done quickly, safely, and efficiently. When looking for an irrigation company, ask yourself these four questions:
- Does the irrigation association accredit them?
- Do they have a no-freeze damage warranty?
- Do they have seasonal packages?
- Are they licensed?
Contact Falco Lawn Sprinklers Today
If you are looking for a high-quality winterization in Westchester County, Falco Lawn Sprinklers will give you exactly that. We turn the water source first before professionally evacuating the remaining water from your system to ensure your sprinkler system is fully protected from freezing temperatures. Contact us today to get on our schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions: Lawn Sprinkler Winterization Services
When should you winterize your irrigation system?
The ideal time to winterize your irrigation system in Westchester County, NY, is in late fall, before the season’s first hard freeze. Some annual variation is to be expected, making knowing the ideal timing unknown year to year. However, based on the local weather conditions, a good rule of thumb is to winterize your irrigation system before the temperature drops below 32°F, which usually happens by or very slightly before Halloween, October 31.
Having your Westchester home winterized before the first hard-freeze ensures that your pipes and other irrigation system components don’t freeze and crack, which can cause significant damage.
Can you winterize sprinkler system without blowout?
It would be best if you did not consider your lawn irrigation system ‘winterized’ without being blown out. We accept that not all irrigation systems require an air compressor blowout for winterizing. But we find it to be the best surefire way to ensure the pipes are clear.
A commonly accepted rule of thumb goes: If your irrigation lines are buried at a slight downhill slope, you can winterize your system without using an air compressor.
In this case, you shut off the main water supply to your system and open the drain valves at the end of each zone, allowing any remaining water to drain out. In theory, this simple process will help protect your system from winter damage. Personally, we prefer to blow all lawn irrigation systems out to be sure.
Should sprinkler valves be open or closed for winter?
Open.
At Falco Lawn and Sprinkler, we advise leaving manual sprinkler valves in an open position during the winter months. This will help prevent repressurization, which can cause damage to your system. If your sprinkler heads have both side and bottom pipe inlets, we recommend installing a drain valve on the bottom inlet to avoid freezing. This will ensure that your system stays protected and ready come spring.
