14 Jan Winterizing Your Sprinkler System
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As a Highlands Ranch Property Management Company, the weeks before the first frost are always a busy time. Supported by a hardworking and experienced landscape crew, Highlands Ranch Property Managers start making plans for winter, especially if the forecast warns of an especially cold one. One of the main tasks involves the winterizing of sprinkler systems on all rental properties.
When water freezes, it expands. Thus, when water is allowed to remain within the different components of your sprinkler system (the backflow controller, the valves, the sprinkler heads, the connective parts and the underground pipes), it can swell up and cause the component to crack or even burst.
The Full Winter Treatment
Some Highlands Ranch property owners do not feel the need to thoroughly winterize their irrigation systems, especially if they have relatively newer ones installed. At most, most owners simply open up the valves and drain off the water sitting within the pipes. In places where winter does not get very cold, this might be fine; however, if you are in an area that experiences multiple hard freezes, maintenance experts at the Highland Ranch Rental Property strongly suggest the full winter treatment. Otherwise, you risk bursting pipes and connective plumbing — and very expensive repairs come spring.
The older your irrigation system is, the more it needs to be blown out for the winter. As your sprinkler system’s components age, they become less resistant to the cold. This is even more important when there are a lot of tree roots which could be displacing your sprinkler system components underground.
How it Works
Winterizing a sprinkler system is basically a matter of introducing pressurized air into the components so that all the water can be blown out. This is commonly called a “sprinkler system blowout.” Letting gravity drain out from the irrigation structure is simply not enough because a sprinkler system will have some low points where water can collect. You also need to get excess water out from hard-to-reach areas like inside valves and within sprinkler heads. A blast of expertly-directed air from a compressor of the right dimensions is the only thing that could drive these out. This process involves no chemicals or products, only an air compressor that is capable of delivering the correct air volume and pressure.
Investment
Blowing out the pipes is usually best left for professionals, because you could hurt yourself and cause damage to the sprinkler system unless you have experience in the field. Depending on your area and size of your sprinkler system, this service can cost anywhere between $40 and $200. Although this may seem like a significant investment, it is very cost-effective compared to what you could be shelling out come Spring in the unfortunate event that your irrigation system components burst or crack.
