Winterization (Fall blowout) … Home sprinklers keep your lawn and garden properly watered and looking their best. But at the end of the watering season, it is important to winterize your sprinklers and not let the water freeze inside the system and cause damage.
Watching the Weather
When temperatures start to fall it’s time to winterize your sprinkler system. Drain or blow-out your lines before that first hard freeze ( around -5 C). Below the freezing point, some of the most critical components of a sprinkler system can be damaged. In light of that, watch the local weather reports for when the first freeze of the year is expected. As a general rule, winterize your system at least a week before the first freeze is expected. Your grass will survive without regular watering during that time, and the plants are already preparing for the dry winter season.
The effects of weather
Frozen pipes
If you fail to blow out your pipes, it’s likely that the water inside will freeze. As a result, with no room for the freezing water to expend, the pipes can crack or burst in large sections. Frozen pipes are one of the most costly and difficult repairs to make, given that the pipes are installed underground. In other words, the key to avoiding this type of damage is to remove as much water as possible from the lines before they freeze.
frozen sprinkler heads
Water can also freeze inside sprinkler heads themselves. Firstly, the pressure from the frozen water expands and pops off sprinkler heads. Secondly, the water will expand inside the plastic body of the sprinkler and crack the sprinkler. Thirdly, water can freeze inside the small supple tube that pushes the nozzle above ground. Replacing the sprinkler head is the result of any of these problems.
frozen manifold
The manifold is the heart of your sprinkler system. This device consists of a main pipe with several valves attached. The valves control the flow of water from the manifold main line to the rest of the sprinklers. If water is allowed to freeze inside the main pipe it can crack the plastic and damage the attached valves. Replacing a damaged manifold is the most labour intensive part of any sprinkler repair and should be avoided by draining as much water as possible from inside the manifold. Most manifolds have a drain cap installed for easy draining.
A little bit of winter preparation will save a lot of time and expense in the spring; bringing your backyard to life without distress.
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