Once spring is finally here, the last thing you want to deal with is a busted sprinkler system. Sadly, homeowners realize all too late that the secret to avoiding this problem is a sprinkler blowout and system winterization. It’s an essential step for those who reside in Burlington County, NJ and are familiar with how frigid the weather can get. Sprinklers that aren’t winterized lead to more trouble in the long run.
Frozen water in the pipes
Sprinkler failure is the biggest consequence of neglecting winterization. Water has to be removed from the pipes either through the drain valve or with an air compressor. Otherwise, water trapped in the pipes will freeze during the winter. Water expands in its solid state and will crack the pipes if there’s too much ice.
Pipes that have sprung a leak aren’t capable of delivering sufficient water supply to your lawn. Without sprinkler system winterization, homeowners will be taken aback by how much their sprinklers deteriorated during the cold months. Needless to say, it won’t take long to discover a busted sprinkler system once the weather warms up.
Valve and sprinkler head malfunctions
Water can also freeze in places other than the pipes, such as the backflow valve and sprinkler heads. You’ll notice a busted valve right away when you attempt to turn on the water for the first time once winter passes. Even if the rest of your sprinkler system is working just fine, you may not be able to get it running if ice caused a backflow malfunction.
Broken sprinkler heads are a serious concern because they’re difficult to fix. This issue is a dead giveaway that ice has damaged your sprinkler system. You’ll be able to tell when the sprinkler heads fail to evenly distribute water across the lawn, or worse, not at all.
Expensive replacements
Broken sprinkler systems are not only a pain to deal with, but result in costly repairs. In fact, some parts cannot be fixed and require an irrigation specialist to install an entirely new system. Too many homeowners in Burlington County, NJ don’t realize the importance of getting a sprinkler blowout until the damage is already done.
How to prevent further damage
If you neglect sprinkler system winterization, there’s no guarantee all the parts will function properly come spring. The only way to keep your sprinklers in top shape is by preparing them before frigid temperatures settle in. However, it’s never too late to minimize your risk of damage, even in the middle of winter.
Start by shutting off the water so a sprinkler failure is less likely to occur. Homeowners in Burlington County, NJ shouldn’t leave the water running all year, especially when there’s snow on the ground! It’s also a good idea to loosen the backflow valve so that frozen water doesn’t cause it to burst.
Many homeowners aren’t sure how to winterize their landscaping, and that’s why Star Sprinkler Systems Inc. is here to guide you through the process. We do all the work so you can take pride in your home maintenance without the hassle. Check out our winterizing services and learn more about why it’s important to prepare your sprinklers for the cold months.