Winterizing Your Irrigation System: Protect Your Pipes Before the Freeze
As temperatures drop across Innisfil, it’s time to prepare your irrigation system for winter. Properly winterizing your outdoor water lines helps prevent damage caused by freezing and keeps your system running smoothly when spring returns.
Here are five essential steps every homeowner should follow:
Turn off the water supply.
Locate and close the main shut-off valve that feeds your irrigation system to prevent new water from entering.
Drain or blow out the lines.
Any water left inside pipes can freeze and expand, causing cracks or leaks. Drain the lines manually or use compressed air for a full blow-out.
Disconnect and insulate.
Remove hoses, drain backflow preventers, and insulate outdoor valves and pipes to protect them from frost.
Shut down the controller.
Switch your irrigation timer to “off” or unplug it for the season to prevent accidental watering cycles.
Wrap and cover.
Use pipe insulation, foam covers, or protective wraps on any exposed plumbing or fittings.
Winterizing is quick, easy, and can save you hundreds in repair costs come spring. If you’re unsure how to do it yourself, local irrigation specialists in Innisfil offer professional blow-out services each fall.
Pro tip: Plan to winterize your system before the first hard frost—typically in October.
