Winter is approaching as temperatures plummet. That signals the end of the gardening season for the majority of American households until the spring brings about more favorable growing conditions. To avoid damaged equipment and plumbing leaks, properly shutting down and storing your irrigation system is one of the most crucial steps in preparing your yard for winter. Keep reading to find out how to properly store your hoses and sprinklers so they’ll be ready to use next spring.

Shut Down Your System

Your top goal if you are living in a chilly part of the country is to avoid having water in your irrigation system freeze because this can result in winter plumbing problems. That calls for you to try your best to drain all the water from any outdoor hoses and pipelines. Start by closing any shut-off valves that lead to your outdoor spaces and empty the system of any water that is still there. Next, turn off any automatic or computerized sprinkler system parts.

You can disconnect the hoses and, if it’s possible, disassemble the sprinkler system once everything has been turned off and drained. Be mindful that some sprinkler systems could need additional steps to drain and disassemble, such as removing the backflow preventer and blowing all the water out with compressed air. If feasible, refer to your system’s documentation for more detailed instructions. In a place that is shielded from the weather, such as a shed or garage, keep all removable parts.

Avoid Springing Plumbing Leaks Throughout the Winter

Most irrigation systems still have parts that are exposed outside. Any plumbing components outside of the heated portion of your home need to be insulated in order to avoid frozen pipes. You can buy insulating foam or tape at any hardware shop to cover any pipes, faucets, and above-ground sprinkler equipment that cannot be stored.

The valves on your hose connections and other exterior faucets should also be left open so that any water that does happen to remain inside can exit rather than freezing and expanding. To make sure you haven’t sprung any plumbing leaks, it’s important to regularly check on your system over the winter once everything has been shut down, stored, and insulated.

Stay in control

If your system is automatic, you must “shut down” the controller (timer). The signals to the valves are simply turned off in the “rain mode” of the majority of controllers. Throughout the winter, the clock keeps running, the controller keeps time, and the programming data (start times, valve run times, etc.) is not lost. The valves won’t open, and that’s the only difference. You should take precautions by disconnecting the wires from the MV (Master Valve) and common terminals if your controller is in charge of turning on a pump. This will eliminate the chance of the pump accidentally turning on, which could result in damage from overheating. Turning off the controller’s power is a simple alternative for using the rain mode. In the spring, you will need to reset the clock and maybe every other setting.

Clean Your Yard

When the weather turns cold, where do all the bugs and insects go? Lots of them dig holes beneath swaths of leaves, sticks, and plants. As a result, complete yard cleanup should be the first step in your winter preparation. Remove all the weeds and unwanted bushes, then rake up all the leaves and debris. They will therefore find another place to hide from the cold if the yard is cleaned up and debris is removed. You will not have as many pests as you did last spring and summer.

Caccia Plumbing Can Help Prevent Frozen Pipes

If you need help winterizing your irrigation system or repairing other plumbing issues, contact a professional plumber immediately. Call us at (650) 442-1470 right now.