Winter’s cold temperatures can spell disaster for your in-ground irrigation system. The water in the system’s pipes, if allowed to expand and contract, can cause cracks in the pipes, making expensive repairs necessary in the spring. Fortunately, you can avoid these underground cracks to your irrigation system by draining the water from the pipes before the first hard freeze.
Draining your irrigation system
To get all of the water out of your irrigation system, you first need to turn off the water to the system at the main valve. Next, you’ll need to turn off the automatic timer so that the system doesn’t try to operate without any water in it. Finally, you need to get all of the water out of the irrigation pipes. This is best achieved by blowing the water out using an air compressor. Although this can be done by the homeowner, it can be a little tricky and is probably best left to a professional.
Winterizing your irrigation system with Kaufman’s Home Maintenance
As we mentioned above, winterizing your irrigation system and making sure that all of the water is out of the pipes requires a little finesse. It’s probably better to let a professional handle this last step for you to make sure that your pipes are completely empty. Even a little water left underground can cause problems. Kaufman’s Home Maintenance can help put your sprinkler system to bed for the winter and make sure it’s secure until spring.
In addition to helping you with your sprinkler system, we offer a full range of home repair and handyman services, both on a demand basis and as a subscription service. We tailor our packages to meet your individual home maintenance needs. Just a few of the services we offer include inserting new filters in your furnace and air conditioning systems, washing outside windows, clearing your water drainage system of debris AND making sure that your irrigation system is secure for the winter. To learn more about Kaufman’s Home Maintenance Service, call 503-798-4357 or visit KaufmanHelp.com to schedule an appointment.