Sprinkler Winterization

Sprinkler Winterization entail shutting off the irrigation system’s water source and draining all water to ensure there isn’t any water trapped in the sprinkler pipes that will cause damage when frozen. 

Your irrigation system is a very efficiently engineered tool, but its biggest weakness is damage caused by the expansion of water in the sprinkler pipes turning to ice, which can cause a pipe to burst. 

There are several possible ways to accomplish the objective of draining the water out, including manual drain and automatic drain methods, both of which are dependent on gravity to drain water out of your irrigation system. 

Because your sprinkler system may have areas that, due to angles involved, are not entirely drained by gravity, some water may be retained in a pipe in those areas, which can cause damage in a freeze. 

The third method, which we utilize in our Sprinkler Winterization Service here at Salt Lake City Sprinkler Repair and Installation Pros, is the sprinkler blow-out method, which entails blowing compressed air throughout your sprinkler system. 

To perform this drainage method requires a commercial grade compressed air machine capable of generating large volume compressed air. 

This is the most thorough method, especially when performed multiple times. However it is also the most technical method, requiring both expensive equipment, and proper technique to be performed effectively and safely. It is highly recommended that an irrigation blow out be performed by a professional.

The other often overlooked aspect of winterization includes proper positioning/deactivation of valves, controllers, pumps and other ancillary systems that support the proper functioning of your irrigation system, as well as ensuring the main shut off valve is properly insulated and that the air vents and drain outlets aren't covered.

There are a lot of moving parts to a sprinkler system and components left inadvertently exposed can cause problems in the spring if winter damage occurs.    

If there is one absolutely essential step of preventative maintenance to ensure the lifespan of your irrigation system it is winterization and draining water from the sprinkler system.

If you allow water to remain in your the pipes, there is a very high chance you will cause major damage when a pipe bursts. 

Every component of your sprinkler system is designed with the assumption that water in the system will not freeze. When that assumption is violated, all bets are off as to what will survive.

If your sprinkler system isn’t properly winterized, the water remaining in your irrigation will expand as it freezes to ice. The pipes and valves of the system will begin to crack as the water expands. Sprinkler heads will become damaged as they are forced out of the ground by the expanding water. Sprinkler lines may heave out of the ground as they freeze and thaw with changing temperatures.

In the spring, when you attempt to run the irrigation, leaks will appear. The range of potential damage will vary based on how much water was trapped in the irrigation system, but an unwinterized sprinkler system inevitably spells significant and costly damage. All of this damage will be expensive to repair, sometimes even requiring a complete replacement of your entire system.

The best time here in the Salt Lake Valley is generally in October or November, though the timing is very dependent on the changing of temperatures. 

The sweet spot is at the end of the summer/beginning of fall, after temperatures have begun to drop and after the point in the season where you need to continue to water your lawn. 

The window to winterize closes when freezing temperatures begin to set in. Your sprinkler system should be ok through the first night or two of freezing temperatures while the ground retains some heat, but the longer you delay and the colder the ground temperature becomes, the more critical it becomes to shut off the sprinkler system and drain all of the water out and get the sprinkler system fully winterized.

For a standard residential sprinkler system, the price ranges from $100-250, depending on the number of sprinkler zones you have. Sprinkler systems come in many shapes and sizes so there isn’t a one-size fits all price for every sprinkler system.

The main factors in determining the cost include the number of sprinkler hydrozones, water supply lines, compressor connection points and sprinkler controllers. Give us a call, and we are happy to provide you a free quote!

Salt Lake City Sprinkler Repair and Installation Pros has the most thorough Sprinkler Winterization Process in the business and this translates into confidence that your sprinkler system will be maintained in the best possible way. 

What differentiates us from our competitors is that we have a focus on maximizing the total lifespan and efficiency of your sprinkler system, and this translates into small but meaningful differences in how we operate. 

We don’t just blow out your irrigation system zone by zone, we blow out each zone multiple times to ensure all water is fully vacated from the system. 

We understand the finesse required to slowly pressurize the pipes of the system and the appropriate pressure to apply based on your piping. 

And we maintain a keen eye on every component of your system as we work through our winterization process, noting what items need to be addressed in the spring. 

Our goal is your total satisfaction and we value the relationship and hope to have the opportunity to maintain your sprinkler system for many seasons to come. We work hard to earn your trust. 

Our annual maintenance plans are a fantastic part of our service that allows us to take full ownership of maintaining your entire system and take all of the hassle out of it for you. Please give us a call to learn more.