If you have moved here from a warmer climate or you are a first-time homeowner or even a renter, you may not realize that your Denver sprinkler systems should be winterized when the watering season is over. It can be a very costly mistake to not realize this needs to be done or to not jump on it on time!

When Should I Get My Sprinklers Blown Out?

From personal experience (a costly one) I recommend winterizing irrigation systems before the temperatures drop so low that the water can freeze in the pipes. It can be tricky timing as you don’t want your grass and plants to die, so you don’t want to do it too early. However, you also don’t want to leave it so late that we hit our first freeze and you are in a panic to get someone out to your home to protect your plumbing!  I have found that towards the end of October is usually the best time to get your sprinklers blown out in the Denver and surrounding areas. If you live at higher elevation this is something you may want to take care of earlier.

Why Should I Blow Out My Sprinklers?

Your homes irrigation system and outside spigots are different to the ones inside your home. They are exposed to our cold weather and that can cause water to freeze inside the pipes. Frozen pipes are no fun, especially when they crack or explode and they cause costly damage to your sprinkler/irrigation system. Sometimes you may not even realize the damage has taken place until next Spring when you go to turn your system back on.

Performing a sprinkler blowout can help prevent damage and a call to the plumber. A good blowout of your system also helps to remove build-up of debris that can collect in your water system.

Blowing out your sprinkler system protects them and gets them ready for use the following Spring, so you know they’re ready to go when it’s time to start watering once again.

How Do I Blow Out My Sprinklers?

There are a few options for blowing out sprinkler systems. If you have a large setup or are not sure what you are doing, it might be worth your time to hire a service to come out and winterize the system. Most landscaping companies in the area offer this service and you may be able to find a local handyman that does this on the side each Fall. It usually costs around $35 – $50

If you want to save money, you can also winterize them DIY style. You can find a YouTube video to guide you through the process and there are plenty of Google articles that can guide you through it as well.

It’s recommended in most of these guides that you use a high CFM air compressor to blow out the water versus higher PSI. This is to protect the pop-up heads from high pressures which can damage them. Avoid air pressures above 40 PSI when blowing out sprinklers to protect the heads and the valves. If you don’t have one of these you can buy one just for this reason or you can just call someone to do it, that way you don’t have to store the extra equipment.

A Few Extra Things You Might Want do Consider

Be sure to have your Denver sprinkler systems blown out this fall and as an extra protection buy some $2 Styrofoam covers from your local hardware store and cover those outside spigots too!  Oh, and don’t forget to detach your garden hoses when freeze warnings are in play!!

If you need a referral for someone to come to your home, reply to this email or email me at haley@youraussieagent.com. If I don’t have a particular contact in your area I am happy to reach out to my network and find you a reliable contact!