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Why You Should Call the Pros to Winterize Your Sprinkler System
Why You Should Call the Pros to Winterize Your Sprinkler System
There are fall tasks that everyone needs to complete, such as raking leaves and stowing outdoor furniture. If you own a sprinkler system and live in an area where the ground freezes, you need to get the water blown out of the pipes. This process is often referred to as winterizing your sprinkler system. It is already the end of October, so this task needs to go to the top of the list.
Why Can’t I Do It Myself?
Winterizing your sprinkler system is not something that most homeowners can tackle on their own, regardless of what those YouTube videos show. Most people don’t own an air compressor that can deliver 50 cubic feet of air per minute. That means you would have to rent a large pull-behind industrial air compressor that is going to cost more to rent than hiring a professional company to do it for you.
When winterizing your sprinkler system, check for broken heads, rotors or other plumbing problems. The company you hire should have the experience and knowledge to inform you of any problems. You may want to wait until the following spring to fix them, but at least you’ll know what has to be fixed.
The type of backflow preventer your system has varies by state. In some cases, the backflow preventer has to be removed and stored for the winter. In Illinois, a licensed plumber has to perform a test on the backflow preventer before the sprinkler system is started up again in the spring.
Another item that needs attention is the controller. The battery should be removed from the unit. If it is hard wired, than be sure to turn it off for the winter.
Keeping your sprinkler system in good running condition is easy to do if you hire someone to do the fall winterization as well as the spring start up process. Don’t wait too long to contact a reputable sprinkler service company to blow out your sprinkler system. It can turn cold quickly, which can mean trouble for your system.
Spring-Green offers sprinkler system maintenance in certain markets. Contact your local Spring-Green owner to see if this service is offered in your area.