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Protecting your irrigation sprinkler head from early freeze is crucial to avoid costly damages and ensure your lawn remains pristine. Early cold snaps, where temperatures dip into the 20s or even 10s at night, are common in places like Bend, Oregon. This can freeze water within your sprinkler system, leading to expanded water that may burst pipes or break sprinkler heads.
Quick Tips for Protecting Irrigation Sprinkler Heads from Early Freeze:
1. Insulate and Cover Exposed Components: Use foam insulation and pipe wrap tape.
2. Shut Off Water Supply: Turn off the main shut-off valve and boost pump.
3. Drain the System: Perform a manual or automatic drain, or blow out the system using compressed air.
4. Adjust Sprinkler Start Times: Change start times to later in the morning.
Early freezes can wreak havoc on sprinkler systems if not addressed. The ground can act as an insulator, but components exposed above ground, such as risers and valve boxes, are vulnerable without proper protection.
My name is Kenny Kwiatkowski. With years of experience in irrigation and lawn maintenance, I’ve seen first-hand the damage early freezes can cause. Let’s dig deeper into how to shield your irrigation system from these cold snaps and save on long-term repair costs.
When early freezes hit, your irrigation system can be at serious risk. Here’s why:
When temperatures drop below freezing, the water inside your sprinkler system can freeze. This frozen water expands, putting pressure on pipes and sprinkler heads. This can lead to cracks, leaks, and even bursts in the system.
Bart Suminski, president of Houstonian Landscape, shares that a hard freeze can cause significant damage to your system’s pressure vacuum breaker (PVB). These components store water, and when they freeze, the expansion can “literally blow its top,” leading to water gushing into your yard.
Water expands when it freezes. This expansion can cause significant damage to your irrigation system. For example, if water is trapped inside the pipes or sprinkler heads, it can freeze and expand, leading to cracks or even bursts. The damage often goes unnoticed until the thaw, when water starts leaking from the damaged parts.
Brass components, such as the top part of the PVB, are particularly vulnerable. When water inside these components freezes, the expanding ice can cause the brass to crack or break. Suminski highlights that it takes a really hard freeze to bust these valves, but when it happens, it can be devastating.
“Two years ago we had two years in a row where we had a really hard freeze,” Suminski recalls. “These devices, tons of them around the city, I mean thousands of them, were broken.”
In Omaha, late freezes are common. Homeowners often find their sprinkler systems damaged despite taking some precautions. The key issue is often water left in the system, which freezes and expands. By shutting off the water supply and draining the pipes, many homeowners have avoided costly repairs.
Understanding these risks is crucial for protecting your irrigation system from early freezes. Next, we’ll explore practical steps to safeguard your system and avoid these common pitfalls.
Exposed parts like pipes, spigots, and sprinkler heads are most vulnerable to freezing. Foam insulation and pipe wrap tape are essential for protecting these components. Wrap exposed pipes with foam insulation and secure it with pipe wrap tape for an extra layer of protection. Don’t forget to cover your backflow preventer with an insulated backflow preventer bag. This will shield it from the cold and prevent freezing.
The first step is to locate and shut off the main shut-off valve for your irrigation system. This prevents any water from entering the system during freezing temperatures. If you have a booster pump or automatic controller/timer, ensure these are turned off or set to “rain mode” to stop the system from running.
Draining your system is crucial to prevent any remaining water from freezing. You have three main options:
During summer, early morning watering minimizes evaporation. However, in colder months, adjust your start times to later in the morning to avoid freezing hazards like frozen walkways and sidewalks. This small change can make a big difference in protecting your system.
Investing in protective devices can save you from costly repairs. The Grasshole System offers robust sprinkler head protectors made from durable ABS plastic. These protectors shield your sprinkler heads from damage caused by lawnmowers, foot traffic, and pets.
By following these steps, you can effectively protect your irrigation sprinkler heads from early freezes. Next, we’ll dive into additional tips for winterizing your entire sprinkler system.
Keeping an eye on the weather is crucial. Temperature monitoring can help you anticipate when a freeze is coming. Many areas experience sudden cold snaps that can catch you off guard. Use a reliable weather app or install a home weather station to get real-time updates.
Hard freeze alerts are particularly important. These alerts notify you when temperatures are expected to drop below 28 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period, giving you time to take action. Setting up these alerts on your phone can be a lifesaver.
Adding antifreeze to your sprinkler system can prevent water from freezing inside the pipes. However, this should be done carefully.
Professional consultation is recommended to ensure you get the right antifreeze concentration. Using too much or too little can either damage your system or be ineffective. A professional can help you determine the correct amount and type of antifreeze for your specific setup.
System safety is paramount. Make sure to use non-toxic, irrigation-safe antifreeze solutions to avoid contaminating your lawn and garden.
Modern technology offers several ways to protect your irrigation system from freezing.
Rain and freeze sensors can automatically shut off your system when temperatures drop below a certain point. These sensors are easy to install and can save you a lot of trouble.
Pipe freeze protection systems are another excellent investment. These systems use radiant heating cables that wrap around your pipes, keeping them warm even in freezing conditions. They are particularly useful for areas that experience prolonged periods of extreme cold.
By incorporating these additional tips, you can further safeguard your irrigation system from the harsh winter weather.
To protect sprinkler heads from freezing, start with insulating and covering them. Use foam insulation and pipe wrap tape to shield exposed pipes and sprinkler heads. This creates a barrier against the cold. For sprinkler heads, consider using a backflow preventer bag. These bags offer an extra layer of protection by keeping cold air away from the backflow preventer device.
Preventing an irrigation system from freezing involves several steps:
Irrigation lines start to freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, a hard freeze—where temperatures drop to 28 degrees Fahrenheit or lower—poses a higher risk. During a hard freeze, the water in your pipes can expand and cause significant damage. Always monitor weather conditions to take timely action.
By following these steps, you can effectively protect your irrigation system from early freezes and ensure it remains in good working condition.
Winter can be tough on your irrigation system, but with the right steps, you can prevent damage and costly repairs.
Winterization is crucial. It helps protect your sprinkler heads and pipes from freezing temperatures. When water freezes, it expands and can cause pipes to burst. This is why taking preventive measures is essential.
Using products like the Grasshole System provides long-term protection. Our sprinkler head protectors are designed to withstand harsh winter conditions. They insulate and cover exposed components, keeping them safe from the cold.
Turning off the water supply, draining the system, and adjusting start times are simple yet effective steps. Insulating exposed parts and using antifreeze solutions can also help.
By winterizing your system, you ensure it stays functional and efficient. This saves you time and money in the long run.
Don’t let winter catch you off guard. Protect your irrigation system today with Grasshole System. Get started now!
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