Winter can be rough on irrigation systems and gardeners. Colder temperatures can often lead to malfunctions and the need for sudden repairs. Learn how to prepare your irrigation system for the season to avoid spending hundreds of dollars fixing it. Here’s what you should know about common winter irrigation system repairs and how to avoid costly fixes after freezing temperatures. Discover what happens to your irrigation system under the surface when temperatures drop below zero.
Common Winter Irrigation System Repairs: How to Avoid Costly Fixes After Freezing Temps
Pay Attention to Statistics (and the Temperature Gauge)
Modern irrigation systems have a digital advantage and provide essential statistics (and allow scheduling). Start by paying attention to changes in the statistics and temperature gauge that indicate the beginning of winter. The beginning of the season has no universal start date, so you will notice it here first. Adjust your irrigation system when any pre-winter changes become apparent, including temperature drops. If you wait too long to winterize your sprinkler system, you might damage it and cause costly future repairs.
Assess for Rust or Potential Damage
Rust and potential damage can become a problem anytime during the year. However, it becomes a heightened risk during and just before the winter months. Older pipes and valves can also increase your risk of developing rust and decay. Assess your irrigation system often, especially just before temperatures are set to decrease. You could save yourself a lot of time and money by fixing minor issues before they become bigger ones.
Replace Worn and Faulty Drain Valves
Pipes don’t have an infinite lifespan, and any irrigation system requires maintenance or occasional (usually sectional) replacement. Should you notice leaks or faulty valves, replace them immediately. Doing this saves potentially wasted water and future repairs. Minor problems now might turn into more significant issues later. Waiting to do necessary maintenance or repair on your irrigation system could mean these issues will cost double (or more) later.
Seal Off (All and Any) Potential Leaks
Potential leaks in your sprinkler system can blossom or balloon into more significant leaks. They might compromise the integrity of an entire irrigation section. When more water pressure is pumped through a small leak, it could become a much larger one. Leaks let rust and other contaminants directly into your irrigation water supply. Seal off any potential leaks when you’ve noticed them. Regularly check the whole system from its starting point to the end. When temperatures freeze, leaks can also turn into frozen spikes, causing expensive damage to fix later.
Empty Your Irrigation System To Avoid Common Winter Irrigation System Repairs
During the winter, any trapped or frozen water is potentially damaging. Emptying all remaining water before temperatures drop is essential to winterize your system. Backflow preventers can also be damaged by freezing. They need to be drained entirely before winter.
Any water left in the pipes can freeze and cause pipes to crack or burst. A broken pipe will not allow your system to work properly after winter, preventing water from being distributed evenly. You will have:
- Flooded areas on your lawn
- Wasted water
- Higher water bill
- Low water pressure
This simple step can save hundreds of dollars in irrigation system damage. Problems affecting your system during winter could have simply been fixed by ensuring there’s no residual water. After you shut off the water, you can use an air compressor to push water out through the sprinkler heads. Repeat this in each zone. A professional sprinkler company can assist with the task. When it’s time to turn your irrigation system back on again after the seasons have changed, first run water through the entire system. Check for any potential wear that might have happened during its downtime. A little pre-winter preparation for your irrigation system can save a lot of time and money. It also ensures your system runs properly next season.
Don’t Hesitate: Address Common Winter Irrigation System Repairs
By addressing and repairing common irrigation system issues immediately, you can avoid costly issues later. Basic repairs such as broken sprinkler heads and minor leaks become more significant later on.
Pioneer Underground Lawn Sprinklers | Sprinkler System Repairs and Maintenance Omaha, NE
Contact Pioneer Underground Lawn Sprinklers to schedule a free estimate on a system install or to find out what you can do to make your existing system more efficient. We welcome commercial and residential clients. And remember, whether you need our services now… or later in the season, Your Healthy Lawn is Our Passion and we are only a phone call away.