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Oct 20, 2024

How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System in 4 Steps

Avoid a cold weather emergency with these tips. Tuk69tuk/Getty Images As the weather outside becomes cooler, it’s time to winterize your sprinkler system. Draining your system and protecting it from

Avoid a cold weather emergency with these tips.

Tuk69tuk/Getty Images

As the weather outside becomes cooler, it’s time to winterize your sprinkler system. Draining your system and protecting it from freezing temperatures will help keep your lawn and sprinkler system running smoothly when spring rolls around.

“Sprinkler systems carry water, and when water freezes, it expands,” says Ryan Farley, CEO of LawnStarter. “This can rupture sprinkler lines and damage sprinkler heads, forcing you to replace some or all of your system come springtime.”

So after a busy summer and fall of service, your sprinkler system will need to be shut down for the cold winter months to protect the pipes and equipment, especially if you live in a place where temperatures reach freezing. Ahead, experts share how to winterize your sprinkler system.

The first step in winterizing a sprinkler system is to turn off the water supply. Shut off the main water valve, usually near your water meter. If you have any backflow prevention valves, you’ll also need to turn those off.

“The specifics will vary based on the exact nature of your system, but you’ll want to shut off the main water line feeding the sprinkler system,” Farley says. “For above-ground systems, it’s best to remove them and store them indoors during the winter months.”

If your sprinkler system is on a timing system, shut it down. Power down your sprinkler system, making sure that you don’t lose the regular settings. If your system has a “rain mode,” switch to that mode.

How you drain your sprinkler system depends on which type of system you have. It may require manual draining, automatic draining, or blow-out draining. Check your user manual for specific instructions on how to drain your system.

Protect above-ground components of your sprinkler system by wrapping them in foam covers or insulation tape. Ensure air vents and drain outlets are not blocked.

“Insulate components like backflow preventers, valves, and exposed pipes,” Lamprey says.

Each sprinkler system has its own operating procedures, so consult your user’s manual for specific actions you can take to drain and prepare your sprinkler system for winter.

Hiring a professional is often the best way to winterize your sprinkler system and ensure all the water is safely drained. You can find a local lawn care service in your area or use a national company like TruGreen to assist with seasonal maintenance for your sprinkler system. A professional can find and address any issues with your sprinkler system and prepare it for winter.

“For homeowners, hiring a professional to winterize your sprinkler system is highly recommended,” Lamprey says. “Professionals have the proper training, tools, and antifreeze chemicals to fully and safely winterize a system." They can also spot any existing issues to repair before freezing temperatures hit. Winterizing a sprinkler system yourself requires knowledge of plumbing and irrigation that the average homeowner may not have.