Freezing weather creates a ton of potential problems with irrigation systems. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to avoid those expensive spring repairs! When the temperatures start to drop, you will turn off your irrigation systems in order to prepare for winter.
Sprinkler pipes can freeze and burst when the temperatures drop below freezing. Our goal here is to prevent that from happening. The more immediate danger is going to come from pipes that are exposed to wintery air. You’ll also experience expensive damage if the temperatures drop so low that they cause the soil to freeze at the same depth as any pipes that are underground. A lot of the time, you might not even be aware that your pipes have even been damaged until spring when you discover leaks in the yard.
That’s why it’s so important to take the right steps to protect your irrigation system before it creates a financial burden. Just remember that even if you follow these steps that you should still have your system inspected before you start using it in the spring.
Here are four amazing tips that will help you prep your irrigation system for those harsh wintery months ahead.
#1: Add Insulation
Winterize your irrigation system by insulating it. You should do this before the temperatures start to drop. Make sure that the main shut-off valve is protected and wrapped in insulation. Pack it with pine straw or some other substance that will help protect it from the freezing temperatures.
If your irrigation does not have a main shut-off valve, then I highly recommend that you install one. Look at it as an investment to prevent expensive repairs in the future.
#2: Make Sure That You’re Always in Control
If your system is automated, then you’ll need to make sure that the system is shut down. Most controllers will come equipped with an “off” and/or a “rain mode” setting. This will shut the valves off automatically under certain conditions. The controller should store all programmed information regardless of whether or not power is supplied to it. The only change is that it cannot activate the valves without power.
Learn the proper irrigation routine for your specific lawn plants and program accordingly. This should be one of those tasks done before winter.
#3: Drain Pipes and Prep your System
If you happen to live in a temperate climate, then you do not have to remove all of the water from your system’s underground pipes. However, you will need to remove some of the water so that it doesn’t freeze and bust the pipes.
You can use the manual drain valve, automatic drain valve, or a compressed air blowing method to accomplish this goal.
#4: Protect System Valves
Finally, you need to insulate your irrigation backflow preventers if they are installed above ground. You can use specially designed insulation tape and pine straw.
Make sure that you read your owner’s manual to learn all of the proper techniques for prepping your irrigation system.