If you rely on a lawn irrigation system to keep your yard green and growing through the summer, you need to perform the correct maintenance before winter arrives. Sprinkler winterization prepares your system for the coldest time of the year. Without this process, you may end up needing irrigation repair — and possibly experience flood damage in your home.

Why Is Sprinkler Winterization Needed?

Water expands the moment it freezes. If the water is in a closed container—such as a sealed pipe—that container can be severely damaged and burst open upon freezing. In the case of your sprinklers, this means damage to the irrigation system. And since irrigation systems usually connect to the water supply at ground level near your home’s foundation, if the supply itself is damaged, gallons of water can pour straight into your basement or foundation. Sprinkler winterization prevents this damage by getting rid of as much water as possible, so when the pipes get cold, there’s no ice to expand and break them.

What Is Sprinkler Winterization?

The simplest definition of winterization si, “the removal of water from the sprinkler system pipes”. Since all of the pipes in the irrigation system are buried, we must use compressed air to empty the water. With a compressor, we literally blow the water out of the pipes, control valves and sprinkler heads.

How Do You Complete A Winterization?

The process is pretty simple. Start by turning the water off at the source. The next step is to connect the compressor to the blowout point. Critical Point – The compressor must be at least 40 CFM. Do not confuse PSI and CFM. Every system in the northern United States should have a point down stream from the “irrigation shutoff” meant for this purpose. Some are inside and others are outside. Some are visible and others are hidden in a valve box. Once connected, turn the compressor on and pressurize the mainline. Next, activate zone #1 and watch it until nothing but air is coming from the heads. Advance to the next zone and watch until you have nothing but air. Repeat for each zone. That’s pretty much it. You now have a winterized irrigation system. Most homeowners choose to have a knowledgeable professional perform this service.

Serving Monroe County and the Finger Lakes region, Irrigation Tech in Rochester, NY, offers expertise based in over 140 years of combined experience from 35 years in the business and over 1500 customers served. They install, repair, and maintain sprinklers and irrigation, including backflow prevention to protect your water system from contamination. During the fall, they also offer sprinkler winterization services. To schedule a visit, call (585) 225-0380 or visit their website.