Irrigation winterization is necessary to maintain your irrigation system and promote a healthy lawn. Although it will cost whether you hire a professional or do it yourself, it will save you time and money in the long-run. Are you wondering which route you should go, or even if irrigation winterization is worth it at all? Read on to find out.
Why Have Irrigation Winterization?
Irrigation winterization is vital to the care of your irrigation system. Winterization means letting out the water remaining in the system’s pipes. If water stays inside them, they can turn to ice when the temperature drops below freezing. Water expands when it turns to ice, and this puts pressure on the irrigation pipes and risks breaking them.
Some systems are manual or automatic, meaning that one can either let out water directly or program it to let out water itself. Even so, experts recommend the blow-out method for guaranteed water removal. Using an air pressure machine, one can open the irrigation system’s drain pipes, turn on the device, and blow out any remaining water. Experts recommend irrigation winterization once a year before the first consistent temperature drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Cost of Irrigation Winterization
If you choose to hire a professional to do the job, you will likely have to pay somewhere between $60 and $65. Some companies may offer a package service for winterizing the system and opening it again in the spring. This service may cost a little over $100. If you choose to let out the water yourself either manually or automatically, you can also ask a professional to come out and check that all the water has drained, costing you around $40.
DIY Irrigation Winterization
If you decide to do the blow-out method for irrigation winterization yourself, you can likely buy or rent an air pressure machine from a local hardware store. Use caution when working with the machine, as the pressure will be between 50 and 80 pounds per square inch of air. If not handled carefully, it can cause damages or injuries. Do not forget to open the drains beforehand and close them all afterward to keep new water from entering.
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For the past ten years, Edwards Lawn and Home has been offering premier residential and services to improve your property all year long. The options are endless from a new patio to a backyard fire pit, let the winners of Angie’s List Super Service Aware serve you! If you’re interested in finding out more about our services or getting a quote, you can contact us online or give us a call at 443-341-6539. For more information about our services or DIY tips and tricks follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Houzz.