When you use your sprinkler system, excess water remains in the lines long after use. If left inside your system during the cold, freezing winter, this excess water can freeze and cause your pipes, valves, fittings, and sprinkler heads to crack and burst.

Winterizing your pipes is the process of blowing out excess water from your irrigation system to prepare it for the freezing months and protect it from damage. Here are some reasons why it’s necessary to winterize your sprinkler system in Bristow, Haymarket, Manassas, and surrounding areas.

Winterizing Protects Your Pipes From Cracking

Water tends to remain in your irrigation pipes, even after you stop using them. When the cold weather sets in, this excess water buildup freezes and expands, causing your pipes to crack and burst. Repairing and replacing a damaged pipe system is very costly and difficult due to the fact that the entire system is installed underground. When your pipes break from damage, it requires digging up the old pipes and installing new ones deep within the ground. Winterizing your pipes blows out any excess water and prevents any damage and costly repairs.

Frozen Water Damages Sprinkler Heads

Your sprinkler heads also retain leftover water. When water trapped inside the sprinkler heads freezes over, it expands and causes your sprinkler heads to pop off from the pressure. Water also collects in the main body of the sprinkler and when frozen, the ice cracks and bursts the plastic. Ice can also damage the mechanism inside the head that regulates when it pops up during use. When this mechanism freezes and breaks, your sprinkler heads are no longer able to pop up when needed and remain permanently stuck in the ground.

A Damaged Manifold Results in Very Costly Repairs

The manifold is like the heart of your sprinkler system. It controls the flow of water from the main irrigation line to the rest of your sprinklers and contains several valves that are attached to the main line. Water can accumulate and freeze over in the manifold, and when it does the results can be devastating to your sprinkler system. Your system’s manifold is located deep underground among a complex network of pipes, valves, and other parts. Allowing water to remain in the manifold and freeze causes damage that requires intensive labor and a lot of money to repair. One way to prevent this damage and guarantee your manifold and the surrounding system is safe from the cold is to have a professional winterize your irrigation system.

When & How You Should Winterize Your System

Generally, most professionals recommend winterizing your pipes at least one week before the first freeze in your area. Some sprinkler systems can be drained manually, while others require air compressors to completely blow out the system. At Patriot Lawn and Landscape, we use high-pressure water to blow out your lines and clear them of all built-up water.

Call us today to prepare and protect your system from cold damage.

Freezing weather will be upon us soon, and as such it’s time to start preparing your sprinkler system to protect it from damage. We help prepare your system for the winter with our professional winterization services for clients in Bristow, Haymarket, Manassas, and surrounding areas. Call us today at (703) 244-7798 to ensure your pipes are properly prepared for the upcoming winter months.