The leaves have turned, the air’s got that brisk chill, and before you know it, the ground will freeze. If you’ve got a sprinkler system in your yard, now’s the time to start thinking about winterizing it.
Trust us, we’ve been in the landscaping business for over 20 years, and we’ve seen what happens when folks put this off or skip it altogether. Spoiler alert: it’s not pretty, and it’s not cheap to fix!
By the end of this guide, you’ll have the knowledge you need to keep your sprinkler system safe and sound through the cold months.
You might wonder, “Why do I even need to winterize my sprinkler system? Can’t I just turn it off?” Well, it’s not quite that simple. Here’s the thing: even after you shut off the system, water’s still left inside those pipes and sprinkler heads. When temperatures drop below freezing, that water turns into ice. And when water freezes, it expands—this can cause your pipes to crack, your sprinkler heads to burst, and can lead to expensive repairs.
Timing is everything here. You don’t want to wait until the first frost to get started. Ideally, you should plan to winterize your sprinkler system in late fall before the ground begins to freeze. A good rule of thumb is to do it when the nighttime temperatures consistently dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
People use several methods to winterize their sprinkler systems, but I will keep it simple and stick with the “blowout” method. It’s the most effective and ensures there’s no water left in your pipes.
First, locate your main water shut-off valve and turn it off. This is usually found in your basement, crawl space, or utility room. If you’re unsure where it is, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Turning off the water supply stops new water from entering your sprinkler system.
Next, switch off the sprinkler system controller. This is the box that controls your watering schedule. You might have it set to water every morning—turning it off will prevent the system from activating once the water supply is cut. Some people put it to “rain mode” instead of turning it off completely, but I like to play it safe and power it down.
Things get a bit more technical here, but hang with me. There are three main ways to drain the water from your pipes: the manual drain, the automatic drain, and the blowout method. I’ll break down each one so you can decide what works best for you.
Once the water’s drained, wrap any exposed pipes or backflow preventers with insulation tape or foam covers. This is a simple but effective way to protect against stray cold snaps that might sneak up on you.
Before you pack it in for the season, take a quick walk around your yard. Ensure all the valves are open, the water supply is off, and everything drains appropriately. It’s a small step, but it can save you a lot of trouble later on.
Winterizing your sprinkler system might seem like a chore, but trust me, it’s worth the effort. A little time spent now can save you hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars in repairs come springtime. Don’t hesitate to call Kairos Landscaping if you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself. After all, we’ve been helping folks in Delaware with this for decades—we are happy to lend a hand!
