How Much Does Winterize Sprinkler Cost

In places where winter season becomes a tough time for residents, water in sprinklers and other irrigation systems usually freeze and expand, causing the fittings, pipes, and sprinkler heads to crack and break. But technological advancements have come up with a solution to protect the systems from getting costly damage, and this is by winterizing the system.

The process of winterizing a system typically removes all the water from the pipes so that it won’t freeze as the temperature goes further down. In some regions, especially in extremely cold areas, the process is done by blowing the water out from the pipes using an air compressor. In other areas where more temperate climates abound, sprinkler systems are already designed with either an automatic or manual drainage system.

Cost of Winterize Sprinkler System

If you want to winterize your sprinkler system, then it’s best to do it before the spring season. And on the note, the average winterize sprinkler system cost is $83, according to a recent report of Home Advisor, which conducted the survey based on 2,992 profiles. Moreover, the sprinkler winterization price can range from $40 to $300, with most homeowners spending around $50 to $121.

Although the costs don’t seem to be that expensive, the amount you need to spend depends on several factors such as the month when the work needs to be done, the number of irrigation zones, and the local rates. There are instances when sprinkler companies charge higher (almost 100%) as winter is about to come. Aside from that, your expenditures increase if you have a lot of irrigation zones.

If you have a limited budget to spare, there are a lot of companies that offer package deals, inclusive of sprinkler winterization and de-winterization services around $100 to $200 or higher. Other packages deals also include a summer inspection service, which checks your sprinkler system and find out if it’s functioning properly when the temperature is at its peak.

Do-It-Yourself Sprinkler Winterization

You also have the option not to hire professionals and do the sprinkler winterization yourself. Here are your options:

Using an Air Compressor

It would be a lot easier and more convenient for you if the sprinkler system had been installed with a straightforward way of blowing out the water from the pipes. It’s also recommended to have the right equipment – an air compressor capable of 80 to 100 cubic foot per minute (CFM) – to get the work done properly.

The cost of an air compressor for home use is around $100 to $500, which may not be sufficient to blow the water out from the pipes. An outstanding compressor, however, is typically expensive, costing, at least, $1,000. But don’t worry if you can’t buy the equipment. You can always rent a powerful air compressor for $25 to $75 per day and finish everything before the day ends.

Using Drain Valves

The second option is to utilize drain valves, but they are riskier than the first DIY option. Using drain valves is only possible if the valves are installed in the sprinkler system. If they are not installed, then you can add them in the system. There are two types of drain valves: manual and automatic. If you have the manual drain valves, you have to open them to remove the water. The automatic drain valve, on the other hand, removes the water by itself during the absence of system pressure.

Now, the risk in depending on drain valves to winterize the sprinklers is that the water may not be completely removed from the pipes. If that happens, then the remaining water freezes and may cause cracks in the system. To play it safe, it is best to hire a professional to do the work or use an air compressor to blow the water out from the system.

Reasons Why Sprinkler Winterization is Necessary

“If the main line is not shut off, once that pipe bursts, you’re going to have a constant flow of water coming out in the yard,” said Scott Lindborg, owner of Lindborg Irrigation in Fishers, Ind, in an interview with Angies List. “That will cause a bunch of problems. Your water bill will be high because of all the water you’re wasting, and in the spring you’ll have to go back and basically rerun a lot of the lines. If you don’t get it winterized, you’re asking for trouble.”

When the winter season comes, the frost level goes deeper into the soil, eventually reaching your sprinkler system. If the cold temperature drops even more and stays longer, the frost level sinks farther down the soil, causing more breakage to the system.

“If a pipe freezes, it just shatters like glass,” said Norm Ransford of American Irrigation in Indianapolis. “It’s almost always a replacement situation after that.”

When the temperature exceeds the freezing point, the ice melts down and water in the pipes will soon flow out from the cracks and holes of the pipes. As such, water is wasted, and you may have to spend for very high water bills – that’s not a good thing to deal with. Aside from getting high bills, you may need to spend for pipe replacements, which can burn a hole in your wallet. So if possible, have your sprinklers winterized before the cold season arrives.

Things to Remember When Winterizing the Sprinkler System

When you are wintering the sprinkler system, always remember to the following:

– shut down the main water supply connected to the sprinkler system

– remove the water from the backflow device

– use an air compressor to drain the water out from each irrigation or sprinkler zone

– take away any type of fertilizer or a rust blocker injection equipment

– turn off the timing system

If you are doing the sprinkler winterization yourself, don’t forget to do the following:

– always wear a protective gear, especially for your eyes, when using the air compressor

– don’t forget to shut down the mainline before starting the process

– do not stand near irrigation components when the blow-out is on-going

– when blowing out, do not blow the compressed air through a backflow device