As autumn sets in, irrigation contractors play a crucial role in safeguarding residential and commercial properties against winter weather. Sub-zero temperatures can quickly turn residual water into expanding ice, causing severe pipe fractures, damaged backflow preventers, and costly spring repairs. Proactive winterization not only protects your clients’ investments but also builds long-term trust and recurring service revenue.
Essential Contractor Checklist for Fall Winterization
- Perform a Comprehensive System Audit: Before shutting down, run each zone manually to check for leaks, broken heads, or faulty valves, documenting any issues so clients can address them before spring startup.
- Shut Off the Main Water Supply: Locate and close the primary isolation valve to cut off water flow to the mainline, and ensure backflow preventers are completely isolated.
- Execute a Controlled Compressed Air Blowout: Attach a commercial-grade air compressor to the system (regulated carefully to prevent PSI spikes that can damage polyethylene or PVC pipes) and purge each zone sequentially until all standing water is evacuated.
- Protect Above-Ground Assets: Insulate exposed backflow assemblies, pressure vacuum breakers (PVBs), and valves using heavy-duty insulated covers or weather-resistant foam wrap to guard against wind chill.
- Deactivate the Controller: Switch automated timers to the “Off” or “Rain Mode” setting to prevent unnecessary automated cycles, and remove backup batteries to avoid corrosion during the off-season.
- Contractor Best Practice: Always provide your clients with a signed winterization summary detailing the steps taken and any pre-existing damage noted during the blowout to ensure liability protection and set clear expectations for spring reactivation.
Contractor Best Practice
Always provide your clients with a signed winterization summary detailing the steps taken and any pre-existing damage noted during the blowout to ensure liability protection and set clear expectations for spring reactivation.