Irrigation pros keep sprinkler pipes safe and toasty
Winter is hard on any kind of pipework, and sprinkler systems are no exception. The delicate underground pipes in a sprinkler system can freeze and burst, causing wet, messy, and expensive problems no one wants. But do you know who to call to winterize sprinkler systems around your home?
Irrigation professionals have your back and offer winterization services for your sprinklers so that frost doesn’t accumulate and give you a nasty surprise when spring comes. Here’s what you must consider when choosing a pro for winterizing your irrigation system.
Pipes are incredibly temperamental. Even a few droplets that remain in your irrigation system can expand once the temperature plummets, causing sprinkler pipes to burst. This can have a domino effect on your sprinkler valves, heads, fittings, and other components. All these parts eventually need to be replaced, but having to replace them all at once when this could've been prevented with irrigation system winterization just doesn't make financial sense.
The irrigation professionals at a local sprinkler blowout company have dedicated knowledge, experience, and equipment for winterizing irrigation systems. They can create a seasonal maintenance plan tailored to your sprinkler system. Irrigation professionals love loyal customers. Many sprinkler blowout and repair services offer discounts on sprinkler repairs and parts if you utilize them for routine maintenance and repairs in addition to winterization.
Because irrigation professionals strictly focus on sprinkler systems, they can get the job done quicker and more effectively than DIYing or other professionals. They have the necessary equipment to make winterization faster and more effective, such as different types of air compressors to service a variety of irrigation systems.
It is possible to blow out a sprinkler system if you buy or rent an air compressor appropriate for your sprinkler system. Depending on the size of your lawn and how many zones are in your sprinkler system, DIY blowouts can become incredibly time-consuming. They need to be blown out zone by zone, and you can easily damage your sprinkler system if you don’t get the right air compressor for your pipe type or if you use it improperly.
The cost to winterize a sprinkler system with the help of a professional ranges from $60 to $130, although it will be higher if you have a large lawn with several zones. The fee is well worth it because irrigation professionals have partners or employees to make the job go faster. Additionally, this price is less than you’d pay for an air compressor.
While it is possible to DIY winterize a sprinkler system, you’ll get the best maintenance and use of your time by hiring a local sprinkler service to take care of it for you. If you’ve never operated an air compressor before, you run the risk of serious injury to yourself and damage to your sprinkler system.
You’ll want to hire a sprinkler system professional, not a handyperson, to winterize your sprinkler system. Irrigation systems are complex, and only an irrigation pro has detailed knowledge of all of the parts in them. Handypeople have general knowledge of these systems, but it’s nowhere near as in-depth as a specialized pro.
An irrigation professional knows your system inside and out, so they’re well aware of the most common pitfalls and dangers that are associated with sprinkler system winterization. Plus, they have bonding and insurance specific to this type of work, in addition to all required local permits. A general handyperson’s insurance likely wouldn’t cover cases of frost damage or air compressor misuse.
Irrigation professionals winterize sprinkler systems by first turning off the water in your sprinkler system and then using an air compressor to blow out residual water zone by zone. They may also insulation any exterior components of your system for the cold weather.
During a blowout, extra care is taken to get all water out of the pipes. If enough water is left over, it can freeze and expand, causing a pipe to burst. However, the pros have different air compressors to accommodate a variety of irrigation systems and proper training to operate them safely, ensuring your system will be water-free and safe from bursting during the cold season.
If you’re debating whether it’s necessary to winterize your sprinkler system, consider the climate and winter temperatures that your area typically experiences. For example, if your location consistently experiences winter temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, then this sprinkler maintenance task is necessary. However, if you live in a warmer climate that doesn’t get freezing temperatures, you might skip this step. You should always consult a local sprinkler professional and get their expert opinion before deciding whether or not to winterize your system.
Most people need to get a move on winterizing their sprinkler systems in October. Your goal is to winterize before the first hard freeze comes, which can be as early as November, depending on where you live. You might have until late November, or you may need to arrange winterization as early as September, depending on when temperatures tend to hit freezing range. Higher incidences of unexpected extreme weather conditions make this harder to determine today.
Professional irrigation system winterization with multiple people handling the job takes about 20 to 25 minutes for a three- or four-zone sprinkler system. This includes the time it takes to set up the air compressor and break everything down. Blowing out each zone takes two to three minutes, so this will take longer for larger lawns and those that have more than four zones. Doing this yourself can take one to two hours or longer if you've never used an air compressor before and don't have anyone to help out.
