As summer ends and fall begins, getting your lawn ready for the colder months is vital. One integral part of this preparation is preparing your irrigation system for the first freeze of the season. Properly maintaining and winterizing your irrigation system this fall protects it against the cold winter months. This ensures the lawn and garden are ready when spring arrives. Here’s a guide to fall irrigation system maintenance tips for proper winter preparation.
Fall Irrigation System Maintenance: Preparing Your Lawn for Winter
Test and Inspect
Before shutting your system down for winter, carefully inspect it for leaks, damage, and malfunctioning parts. Walk around your property and examine every head, valve, and pipe one zone at a time. Look for evidence of wear, like cracked or broken pieces. Pay attention to areas that may be damaged due to:
- Lawnmowers
- Lawn care tools
- Pets
- Heavy foot traffic
Fixing these problems in the fall ensures your system works well for spring startup.
Pull Back on Your Watering Frequency
As temperatures drop and daylight hours shorten, the lawn and plants need less water than in summer heat. Changing your watering schedules this time of year is best to prevent overwatering and save on your water bill. Gradually reduce the frequency and duration of watering. In most areas, you can generally cut back to watering once or twice a week, depending on conditions. Don’t forget about the rain. A rain sensor feature can also help you monitor the watering schedule. If you’re getting regular rainfall, you may not need to water at all toward the end of the season.
Drain and Winterize Your Sprinkler System
Proper draining and winterization of the irrigation system are prime maintenance steps. If water is left inside the pipes and sprinkler heads, it freezes and expands. The equipment will rupture and cause an expensive repair come springtime. There are several different ways to winterize your irrigation system.
- Manual Drainage: Shut off the water and open the drain valve when doing a manual drain. Drain out as much water as possible. Always remember to drain each zone individually, starting from the top.
- Automatic Drainage: Some systems feature automatic drain valves that open when the water pressure falls. Just turn off the water supply and let the system drain automatically.
- Blowout: This one is the most effective, especially for large systems. It involves using an air compressor to blow out the remaining water in the lines. You must do this carefully because the pressure could damage your irrigation system. Hire a professional to carry out the job if you don’t have experience with sprinkler system maintenance.
Insulate Exposed Components
If there are exposed pipes or backflow preventers on the irrigation system, insulate them from the freezing temperatures. Foam pipe insulation, insulating tape, or specially designed covers on vulnerable parts protect them from the cold weather. Remember to shut off the irrigation system’s water supply from inside the house or basement. Drain above-ground components, such as backflow preventers, so they don’t freeze.
Schedule a Professional for Fall Irrigation System Maintenance
A homeowner can perform many fall irrigation maintenance tasks. However, it pays to have an irrigation professional perform at least one proper inspection per year. They’ll identify leaks or problems you might not have caught. Also, they have the experience and knowledge needed to correctly winterize the system. A trusted sprinkler company can make recommendations on repairs or upgrades.
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.
