Tips for Protecting Your Sprinkler System This Winter
It’s been a warm October so far, but winter is on its way and it’s time to winterize your installed irrigation system. It won’t be long before the temperatures will drop to 32 degrees, at least for a few hours.
That’s when things start to freeze, and plastic and metal pipes start to expand and break. The first thing that usually breaks is the copper or PVC coming out of the house into the backflow device and to the ground. You want to protect that device if the forecast is for 35 degrees or colder. I say 35 degrees because we all know how unpredictable the weather is.
If the forecast is for 35, the temperature could easily drop to 32 or colder. Early in the fall, the ground is still warm and will keep everything safe.
But once we start to get those colder temps, if you haven’t had your system drained, you’ll want to wrap your backflow device in something warm like towels or blankets. Then cover the whole thing with a trash bag or some plastic in case it rains.
If you don’t use the plastic and the rain starts to fall, your blankets or towels will freeze, making the problem worse. Or you can buy an insulated backflow cover. Really…. you can.
Did your wife (or your husband!) holler at you last year when you grabbed up the towels and blankets to wrap your pipes? Now you can buy an insulated cover that is custom fit to slip over your backflow device. As one of our customers told me, “Finally! Now I don’t have to ruin my blankets anymore.”
This is a simple way to protect your irrigation system and your blankets at the same time! If you’re interested in a backflow cover, give us a call at 402-334-2625. Also, be sure to schedule your sprinkler winterization before it’s too late. Our schedule gets busy this time of year, so make sure you call today.
