Skipping a sprinkler system winterization in the fall can leave homeowners with an expensive repair bill in the spring.
Sprinkler systems in Kansas City need to be more than simply “turned off” for the winter. Proper winterization is required to remove every drop of water from the system because water left behind when temperatures fall below freezing can cause cracked pipes, broken sprinkler heads and valves, and damaged backflow preventers. Even if freezing water in the system does not cause damage immediately, it does strain the system and can make components fail later.
What is irrigation winterization?
Winterizing an irrigation system is the process of preparing it for winter by shutting it down completely and making sure that all water is removed from pipes, valves, heads, and other components.
Just allowing the water to run out of the system at its lowest point is not effective. Water can remain trapped elsewhere in the system and, when it freezes, it will expand and strain the system’s components. Sprinkler professionals use specialized air compressors to blow out every last bit of water from the system.
Irrigation professionals use specialized air compressors to force every last drop of water out of a system.
Why does a sprinkler system need to be winterized?
Sprinkler systems need to be properly winterized to prevent damage from freezing water. Even though most of the system is underground, winter’s freezing temperatures will still reach it, and water, even in the smallest amounts, can freeze and cause damage.
Expanding ice in a sprinkler system can:
- Crack or burst pipes
- Damage sprinkler heads
- Weaken or break valves
- Damage fittings
- Crack the backflow preventer
- Reduce overall system performance and lifespan
Freezing water expands and can cause the underground components of a sprinkler system to crack, leading to unseen leaks when the system is turned back on.
Unfortunately, winter damage often goes unnoticed, and it’s not uncommon for that damage to only become obvious when the homeowner turns the system back on in the spring, either because functionality is suddenly impaired or a sky-high water bill arrives.
When should you winterize a sprinkler system in Kansas City?
The exact right time to winterize a system can vary from year to year, but the Heinen irrigation specialists recommend that homeowners in the Kansas City area shut the sprinkler systems down between late October and mid-November. The critical element in timing the shutdown is to have the system winterized before the ground freezes. In general, it is best to have your professional system shut down scheduled no later than Thanksgiving.
Can I winterize my sprinkler system myself?
Some homeowners try to shut down their sprinkler systems by themselves, but amateur work can lead to amateur results. For example, simply opening drain valves or letting the water run out at the system’s lowest point will allow some, or even most, of the water to exit the system, but it will not drain all of it.
The safest way to remove all water from the system is to have winterization completed by a professional. They have the experience, training, and specialized equipment to safely and effectively remove all water from the system, including small amounts trapped in sprinkler heads, valves, and backflow preventers.
It may be tempting to use a home air compressor to blow out a sprinkler system, but each component of an irrigation system, from the pipes to the valves and sprinkler heads, has different pressure tolerances. Excessive pressure, or an inadequate amount of it, can damage internal parts or even cause sprinkler heads to blow off completely. Professionals have the right equipment on hand and the expert techniques to ensure that water is removed completely and safely from the system without fear of damage.
Why choose Heinen for irrigation winterization?
The irrigation specialists at Heinen have more than four decades of irrigation experience and have winterized thousands of Kansas City sprinkler systems.
The Heinen team uses professional equipment and proven winterization techniques to thoroughly drain systems and prepare them for winter. Having a proper winterization completed in the fall ensures the system is ready to get back to work as soon as spring arrives.
Heinen’s irrigation winterization schedule is filling quickly! Book your sprinkler shutdown today and protect your system from costly winter damage!
