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Whats the worst that could happen if I do not winterize my sprinkler / irrigation system?

What is the worst that could happen if I don’t winterize my sprinkler / irrigation system?  In short form, your system could be severely damaged and may not work at all in the spring.

  • Frozen pipes: Water left in the pipes can freeze and expand, causing the pipes to crack, break, or burst. 
  • Broken sprinkler heads: Water can get trapped in the sprinkler heads, causing them to expand and break. Broken sprinkler heads are difficult to fix and may require replacing the entire system. 
  • Busted valves and backflow devices: Frozen water can damage valves and backflow devices. 
  • Contaminated water supply: Frozen water can contaminate your water supply. 
  • Expensive repairs: Repairs to a damaged sprinkler system can be costly. 

To prevent damage, you should winterize your sprinkler system before the first hard frost, which is usually around 28°F. 

Winterizing your system involves:

  • Turning off water and power to the system
  • Disconnecting monitoring devices
  • Removing water from the pipes and pumps
  • Closing the drain valves for the winter 

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