Winterizing Irrigation on Commercial Properties: 5 Crucial Steps

Just when you think the watering season is winding down and you can forget about your hard-working irrigation system for a while, you can’t.

Your sprinkler system needs crucial attention before the winter chill moves in. 

Winterizing irrigation is critical here in the DC area, where freezing temperatures can quickly destroy an irrigation system that wasn’t properly winterized. 

What’s so important about sprinkler system winterization? 

It’s crucial to remove all the water out of the pipes, valves and sprinkler heads. If pooling water freezes and expands, your pipes break.

Actually, lots of things can go wrong with your irrigation system if you don’t have it winterized, from cracked valves to a broken manifold to a ruined backflow device.

Keep reading to learn more about winterizing irrigation, including:

Don’t winterize too soon
Get all that water out
Don’t forget the backflow
Why this is a job for pros
Common winterization questions 

1. First, Don’t Winterize Irrigation Too Soon

In a mixed climate like we have here in the Washington DC area, it stays warmer longer into fall than in areas further north. That means a longer watering season for your fall plants.

Even when the temperature has started to cool off, we could still get a warm spell or two, especially as we feel the effects of climate change, and fall plants and flowers still need water to prepare them for the winter ahead.

So don't be too quick to shut off your irrigation for sprinkler system winterization. 

It's a tricky balance. We want to make sure plants and fall flowers are getting the water they need, but if we wait until December we can put the irrigation system at risk.

Here at Level Green we generally start winterizations in late October and plan to finish them by December just in case we get an early freeze. 

2. Winterizing Sprinklers: Get That Water Out

The number one priority is to get all the water out of the pipes, valves and sprinkler heads. If water freezes and expands, your pipes break, and that means a costly repair.

Even if you’ve drained the water out of your irrigation system, some water remains and can freeze, expand, and crack the pipes. 

Irrigation pros have the right equipment to ensure every last bit of water is blown out of your system. 

3. Winterizing Irrigation Includes Backflow Prep

Freezing water in the backflow device of your irrigation system will damage the internal components and can crack it. 

If all the water isn’t out of your backflow device, you may need a plumber in the spring.

Every backflow is different and requires a different procedure to winterize it. All the more reason to hire a professional irrigation company to do it for you.

4. Why Irrigation Winterization is a Job for Pros

Irrigation pros have the right equipment and skills to remove all the water from your irrigation system, no matter what type of system you have. 

Professionals have portable air compressors to blow out all the lines. If this isn't done properly it can cost you a lot of money in repairs. 

A pro should also inspect your irrigation system one last time before winter. If it needs minor repairs, they can tackle the job now, so your irrigation system is ready once spring arrives. 

And if there are any major repairs needed, it’s best to find out now, so you can include it in your next budget.

5. Ask Any Questions 

If you’re still not clear about the importance of this task, ask questions. 

Here are a few common ones:

When Should You Winterize an Irrigation System? 

Shoot for mid-November, but definitely by December. 

Do You Really Need to Winterize an Irrigation System? 

Yes! While some winters around here are mild, it only takes one dip below freezing to destroy an irrigation system that wasn’t properly winterized. You don’t need an exploding irrigation system on your watch, right? 

I Have a Self-Draining System — Isn’t That Enough?

Sorry, but that’s not good enough. Water still sits in low areas, freezes, and cracks pipes.  

How Much Does It Cost to Winterize an Irrigation System? 

The minimum amount for a winterization is $300, which includes a system with up to 10 zones. Plan to pay an additional $21 for each additional zone. 

Ready for Irrigation Winterizing? Trust Level Green 

You don’t want the headache — or expense— of irrigation system damage over the winter. 

Level Green’s irrigation management team will remove the water in your system’s lines and components so they won’t be damaged in the winter months, with irrigation services in Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland. 

Level Green Landscaping offers expert commercial irrigation management and maintenance for commercial properties that we currently service for landscape maintenance or construction. 

If you’re not already a Level Green Landscaping client, we’d love to add you to our growing list of happy customers. Our focus is on commercial properties like offices, mixed-use sites, HOAs, municipalities and institutions in Maryland, Washington DC and parts of Virginia.

Contact us at 202-544-0968. You can also request a free consultation online to meet with us one-on-one.

We’d love to hear from you.