This is the time of year when cold weather becomes the norm for many parts of the country. Freezing overnight temperatures will become common. This means it’s time to get your outdoor sprinkler system ready for winter, especially if you live in a cold-weather climate.
You’ll need to turn off all water to the sprinkler system. If you live in a cold climate, you can turn the system to “freeze proof”. Set an automatic irrigation controller to the “rain” setting. You can also just shut off all the power. Turn off any and all valves to relieve the pressure in drains and pipes. If you have any gear-driven rotor sprinklers above the ground, all water will need to be drained out of them. Any above-ground piping should be insulated. Self-sticking foam insulating tape can be wrapped around the pipes to protect them.
You can also hire a professional to winterize your sprinkler system. The cost can be around 50 dollars and take around half-an-hour. One tool a professional will likely use is a commercial air compressor. A professional will turn the water system off and remove the drain plug. He will then hook up the air compressor and begin blowing air through each individual zone.
Deciding when to shut off your sprinkler system can also depend on your lawn and yard. A yard with sandier soil may need more water than a yard with richer black soil. This means you may want to keep your sprinkler system on longer if possible. Lawns with more shade may not need as much water as a lawn that receives lots of direct sunlight.
Remember that winterizing your sprinkler system is a protection investment. It will cost a lot less to have your system properly winterized than it will to replace an entire system damaged by frozen and broken pipes.