While your sprinklers spend a significant portion of the year keeping your lawn lush and healthy, there comes a time when their services are no longer needed. As the temperatures begin to drop, it becomes the prime time to start winterizing your irrigation system. Use the following guide to help your lawn’s support system stay in pristine condition until the spring thaw.

How to Prepare Your Irrigation System for the Cold

1. Shut Off the Water

If indoor pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting during the winter, outdoor piping is even more vulnerable, so you’ll have to ensure that no water is left sitting in your irrigation system. To do this, find the origin of the main water supply—not just the hose spigot. If you need help, ask a landscape professional to identify the source.

2. Eliminate Lingering Moisture

Even after shutting off the water main, some liquid will remain in the pipes, sprinklers, and spigots. To fix that, you have to open all these components, including backflow devices, filters, hoses, and regulators. You can also switch the system on and allow it to run through a standard cycle, expelling any remaining water and pressure. Once finished, set it to “off,” where it should remain until the spring thaw.

3. Avoid Turning It Back On

Even if you encounter some warmer-than-average fall or early spring days, resist the urge to turn your irrigation system back on—as this will only force you to start the whole process over. While the ground should have enough moisture to sustain your landscape during the colder months, you can always use a watering can to tend to especially needy plants.

If you have any trouble winterizing your irrigation system, or if you’d rather leave it in expert hands, turn to the professionals at USA Hoich Irrigation, serving every commercial hub in Nebraska. This trusted company provides everything from sprinkler installation to landscape maintenance services. For more information about their offerings, visit their website. You can also call (402) 896-5899 to speak to a friendly representative about your property’s needs.