Winter is just around the corner, and if you have a sprinkler system in your yard, this is the time to think about winterization. Sure, it’s a hassle and takes some time, but leaving it as is could lead to a world of trouble with your sprinkler system next spring. If you fail to winterize it, the system becomes prone to damage, costing you way more than the time you would take winterizing it. Let’s go through some of the most common sprinkler damages that result without winterization to your system before the first freeze.
What are the Sprinkler Damages That May Occur Without Winterization?
Issue #1 – Cracked Fittings and Pipes
Water left in your sprinkler pipes during winter will be your system’s worst nightmare. When the temperature drops below zero, failure to drain your pipes leaves water inside them, and the pipes will freeze and expand. PVC and polyethylene pipes aren’t flexible enough to resist tension from expanding ice. Often, this results in the cracking of the pipes and fittings.
It may be a small crack, but cracks widen once the water pressure increases and things start thawing in the spring. This results in leaks, burst pipes, and sprinkler damage. Besides being expensive, replacing or repairing underground pipes is just a huge pain. This leaves your yard looking like a construction zone.
Issue #2 – Broken Sprinkler Heads
The sprinkler heads are another weak spot in cold weather. Since they sit above ground, they’re subject to enduring freezing temperatures. When water inside the sprinkler head freezes, it guarantees a crack in the sprinkler head. Failure to winterize your irrigation system during the freeze-thaw cycle can completely ruin the sprinkler heads.
You’ll need to replace the heads in spring, which can be a time-consuming and costly repair. This is especially true if you have multiple damaged heads. Plus, you don’t want to deal with malfunctioning sprinklers when starting your yard work in the spring!
Issue #3 – Damage to the Backflow Preventer
The most critical part of any sprinkler system will be the backflow preventer. It prevents contaminated water from flowing back inside your home’s water supply. Any water caught in it during winter can freeze and cause severe damage. When it does crack or burst, you could face expensive repairs and possible contamination of your drinking water. That part of the system is often above ground and prone to cold, so winterizing the sprinkler system will protect it.
Issue #4 – Valve Damage
As a rule, valves control the water supply to your sprinkler zones and are sensitive to freezing temperatures. It can crack if water freezes inside a valve or valves. This can stop the valve from properly controlling the water flow after you use the system again in the spring.
Why tolerate the expense of a valve replacement if it’s avoidable? Proper sprinkler system winterization protects the system components and saves you the headache of replacement or repair. You must prepare your sprinklers to minimize the risk of frozen pipes or damage during winter. Irrigation systems are installed with one of three types of water removal. Either manual drain valve, automatic drain valve, or the compressed air blow-out method.
Wrapping Up
An expert landscaper can provide sprinkler winterization services to your system this winter. You can avoid the most common sprinkler damages that occur without winterizing your system before the first freeze. Don’t procrastinate; have your irrigation system winterized before it’s too late. You’ll regret it if you do.
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
