Irrigation Winterization in Portland, OR

Sprinkler Blowout in Portland

The winter months are approaching fast, which means shutting down your irrigation system for the season. Winterization is a vital part of irrigation maintenance. If ignored, it can lead to severe damage, including broken pipes and cracked valves. Freezing temperatures can cause significant deterioration that can wreak havoc on your landscape and wallet.

Irrigation winterization is necessary to maintain your equipment running at peak performance and prevent costly repairs. This is an upkeep task that a qualified professional should perform at least once per year. We take great pride in the quality of our work and can ensure that your system lasts for years to come.

All of our technicians are ready to provide the best winterization service. It usually takes them about an hour to do a sprinkler blowout, depending on how accessible everything is and how many irrigation zones are in the system. However, we recommend you schedule this service before it starts getting cold.

When to Winterize an Irrigation System

Knowing when to winterize a sprinkler system may not be as simple as looking at a calendar. Individuals with lawns in warmer climates may decide not to winterize the watering equipment. If you are new to the area or have recently installed a system, talk to other locals about when freezing temperatures occur.

Usually, fall is a great time to winterize your irrigation system. The ground is generally warm enough for the water to drain from the pipes, but it is also getting sufficiently cold to encounter freezing temperatures. Once the weather begins to cool, you need to take a few steps to protect your irrigation system.

In Portland, it is a good idea to winterize the lawn sprinklers by mid-October so that you can avoid damaging cold snaps. In other areas, winters might be mild enough that homeowners do not need to shut down their irrigation system completely. Instead of draining all of the water from the pipes, they can simply turn off the water supply of the system until the next growing season.

How to Winterize a Sprinkler System

Shut off the water supply – The first thing you need to do is turn off the main water supply that feeds the irrigation system. Usually, a valve will be located on a pipe inside the basement. This valve might also control the water flow to your entire home, so make sure no one needs to use any water while working.

Drain the pipes – The best way to drain a sprinkler system is to use compressed air. Be sure to use a regulator on the compressor, as this will protect your valves from damage. You will also need an adapter to connect the air hose to the piping. Hook up the air compressor to the irrigation line and pressurize the water out of the equipment. This method guarantees that all liquid is removed from the system.

Deactivate the controller – The controller is usually mounted on a wall in an accessible area of the home. The controller’s primary function is to monitor how long the sprinklers are on and which sprinklers are active at a given time. By pressing the “OFF” button, you will prevent all zones from activating, even if programmed otherwise by accident. You can do a sprinkler activation once spring arrives.

Effects of an Improper Winterization

If you leave an irrigation unit activated during the winter, the remaining water inside the system could burst the lines when temperatures dip below freezing levels. This is especially true for sprinkler devices that use PVC pipe, which is not designed to withstand freezing temperatures. The broken lines will drain all residual water from the irrigation system and flood your yard once temperatures start to rise.

The backflow preventer can also experience damage if water is left inside the system during winter. Protecting the backflow device is crucial because it prevents cross-connection of the clean water line with dirty water used for lawn irrigation that can contain harmful bacteria that causes health issues.

Lastly, you will probably need a sprinkler system repair during spring if the irrigation equipment suffered winter damage. While this may not be a priority for most people, it can affect the efficiency of your sprinklers. An inspection is always recommended for any irrigation system after the cold season. This includes both residential and commercial lawn watering units.