The Frost Is Coming: It’s Time To Winterize Your Irrigation System

We all know what happens to water when it freezes – it expands.

If that water happens to be inside of your lawn irrigation pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads when winter comes to Boise, then you could seriously damage your irrigation system.

That’s why it is so important to make sure all of the water is out of your system before the first frost comes. In Boise, Eagle, Meridian, and Boise Valley, the snows come early, and the ice creeps deep into the ground where it can easily freeze standing water in your pipes.

There are three primary methods to effectively winterize your irrigation system:

• Manual drain valve method

• Automatic drain valve method

• Blowout method

To perform either the manual drain valve method or the automatic drain valve method, your pipes must be specifically designed for these draining actions. If you aren’t sure what type of system you have, then it is best to utilize the blowout method.

What Is The Sprinkler Blowout Method?

In a nutshell, the blowout method utilizes compressed air to “blow” the water out of your pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads.

The compressed air used for this method is a far cry from those little canisters you might have used to clean out your computer keyboard.

We’re talking about a compressor that you rent at your local hardware store that blows out 10 to 25 cubic feet per minute of air volume. That is a lot of air, capable of forcefully pushing water out of your pipes.

Should You Perform A Sprinkler Blowout On Your Own?

While it is possible for the savvy Do-It-Yourselfer to successfully perform an irrigation blowout, we strongly caution all but the most gung-ho homeowners from tackling this winterization chore on their own.

The compressor could damage eyes or cause bodily harm if it is not handled correctly or if the user doesn’t wear proper protective gear. It is also easy for someone who is not familiar with operating a compressor to accidentally damage their pipes by using too much pressure. Additionally, using too much air pressure could result in flying debris and injuries.

Call in experienced irrigation experts to take on this chore for you

Here at Nature’s Elite Lawn and Landscape, we can efficiently and safely handle your sprinkler blowout before the frost creeps in.

Our prices are competitive, and when you work with us, you know that your irrigation system will be safe throughout the winter. When spring comes, call us to turn your irrigation system back on so you can help your lawn and garden grow again!

We are now taking appointments for sprinkler blowout and irrigation system winterization for Boise Valley, Eagle, Meridian, and Boise. Call us today at (208) 340-0820!