Winterize your sprinkler system

KUSA - There are things you can do to avoid costly damage and repairs to your sprinkler system.

Now that October and freezing temps have arrived, the sprinkler system should be high on your priority list for fall landscape chores.

Each year, many Colorado homeowners have serious water damage when the sprinkler system left in summer-mode freezes in November or December.

This headache is followed by expensive repairs to the sprinkler system that could have been avoided first, by taking some precautions and then, by winterizing the system before freezing temperatures set in.

How to get your sprinkler system ready for winter:

- Wrap the backflow prevention device located outside to keep it from freezing before your system is fully winterized.

- Shut off the water to the sprinkler system. There's usually a shut-off valve inside the house in the basement.

- Drain the system using the valve that's inside your house - usually in the basement.

- Look at the valve shut-off and know what kind of valve you have:

Ball valve. This type of valve is more reliable in terms of freeze damage.

Gate valve. This valve is very common in Colorado and can often be defective even when it appears to be turned off. If the small washer inside wears out, water will slowly drip and accumulate to the point where if there is a freeze, the part can burst and lead to serious water damage.

Schedule to have your sprinkler system winterized before freezing cold weather sets in. Some people think that draining the sprinkler system is all they need to do. But even when the system has been drained, water often remains in the pipes and in the sprinkler heads.

When that water freezes, much of the sprinkler system can end up damaged. Remember, water expands when it freezes and pressure from that expansion can burst pipes and damage other sprinkler parts.

Winterizing most sprinkler systems is in the $100 range. Repairs caused by freeze damage can be many times that amount. Play it safe and winterize your system.

Winterizing is done with an air compressor-and because of the equipment, usually requires the help of a landscape contractor. The compressor is hooked up to the sprinkler system and zone-by-zone pushes air into the pipes so that all the water is forced out.

This process takes 1 to 3 minutes per zone. Winterizing the system with compressed air is the best way to make sure your sprinkler system has no water in it that can freeze, create damage and lead to costly repairs.

To find a landscape professional to help with your sprinkler and other landscape needs, go to www.alcc.com and click on Find a Pro. Courtesy of Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado, sponsors of the 9News Water Wise Garden.