Basic Tips for Managing Your Sprinkler Winterization

As we move rapidly from the hot Utah summer into its much colder winter season, there are a few landscaping and property elements that must be considered before temperatures reaching freezing on a regular basis. One of these is winterizing your sprinkler system, ensuring that your pipes and lines do not experience any issues from expanding and contracting water over the upcoming winter.

At Wright Landscaping, we’re happy to serve as the top landscaping company in Salt Lake City, Layton, Kaysville and nearby areas, with residential and commercial landscaping services that range from landscape design and installation services to seasonal needs like these. Here are some basics on why winterizing your sprinklers is important, plus some tips on how to manage this process – we’ll be approaching this blog from a DIY perspective, but be aware that our team at Wright Landscaping is here to help with any or all parts of this as needed.

Why Winterizing Sprinklers is So Vital

Before we get into the how-to areas of winterizing your sprinkler system, let’s first discuss why this process is so important. There are a few primary reasons to take the time and effort to properly winterize here:

• Water freezing: The top reason to winterize your sprinkler system is simply that water freezes, expanding as it does so. This can cause significant issues for pipes and lines, which may burst or sustain damage if they contain water when temperatures drop below freezing.
• System longevity: In addition, failing to winterize properly can greatly reduce the overall lifespan and quality of your sprinkler system over time. If you want your system to last for many years without needing major repairs or replacements, winterizing is a crucial step.
• Cost savings: Finally, winterizing can actually save you money in the long run. Repairing or replacing a burst pipe or damaged line can be costly, and the preventative steps taken during winterization are far cheaper than these repairs.

Our next several sections will go over some basic tips for how to winterize your sprinkler system and related water areas on your property.

Draining

The first major step to winterizing a sprinkler system involves draining all remaining water from the system. There are a few methods you can use here:

• Manual drain valve: Many sprinkler systems come equipped with manual drain valves, which allow you to manually open them to release water from the system.
• Auto drain valve: Some newer systems have an auto drain valve that will automatically release any remaining water in the system when the mainline is shut off.
• Blowout method: Alternatively, you can hire a professional or use specialized equipment to blow compressed air through your pipes and lines to remove all remaining water. If you’re performing this task yourself, be sure to read all instructions carefully and have a second person on-hand to monitor pressure levels.

Shutting Off Water

The next step is to shut off the main water supply to your sprinkler system. This can typically be done at a valve or backflow preventer near the point of connection between your home and the sprinkler system. Once this is shut off, you’ll want to test all zones within the sprinkler system to ensure that no water remains in them.

Other Considerations

A few other quick tips for winterizing your sprinklers:

• Drain outdoor faucets: In addition to draining your sprinkler system, it’s also a good idea to drain any outdoor faucets and hoses before winter hits.
• Insulate backflow device: If you have a backflow preventer, be sure to insulate it with an approved insulation cover.
• Protect valves and timers: Finally, consider removing any battery-operated timers or sensitive pieces of equipment from the system and storing them indoors for the winter. This will help protect them from potential damage caused by freezing temperatures.

Insulating

Another key step in winterizing involves insulating any exposed pipes and lines. This will help prevent damage from expansion due to freezing water, and can be done using foam pipe insulation or heat tape. Be sure to properly secure any insulation to prevent it from becoming dislodged during winter weather.

Professional Help

While many homeowners are able to successfully winterize their sprinkler systems on their own, it’s always a good idea to consider seeking professional help for this task. At Wright Landscaping, we have the knowledge and experience needed to winterize your system efficiently and effectively, helping you avoid any potential issues down the line. Additionally, our team can also provide any necessary repairs or maintenance before the winter season begins. Contact us today to learn more about these or any of our other landscaping services around SLC, Layton or Kaysville!