When Should You Shut Off Your Sprinkler System in Mankato, MN?
This question is on the minds of most Mankato homeowners as soon as the weather starts cooling down. The basic answer is to complete winterization services before the first hard freeze to reduce risk to the equipment.
Waiting until it's cold or until plants start dying off can leave you scrambling for an appointment. Our fall appointments for Mankato, MN winterization services are already filling up quickly, so be sure to schedule yours sooner rather than later.
What Is the Best Time to Winterize Sprinklers in Mankato?
For Mankato homeowners, a simple fall timeline should include the following:
● Late September through October: Go ahead and schedule your winterization appointment, even if your lawn is still growing.
● Late October through early November: Aim to have your irrigation system shut down and blown out, adjusting for the weather forecast.
● Before freezing weather arrives: Make sure the irrigation water supply is off and remaining water has been cleared from the lines.
Keep in mind that the weather does not always stay consistent with the current month. Keep a close eye on the weather forecast, and give yourself a buffer before hard freezes arrive. Shutting off the irrigation water supply is an important step, but it isn't the only step to winterize your system. Water left inside the pipes and valves can freeze, expand, and damage your system, so don't just turn the water off when you see the first freeze coming.
Can You Winterize Your Sprinkler System Yourself?
Yes, some homeowners choose to handle sprinkler blowouts themselves, but there's always the risk of homeowner-owned equipment not being able to do the job thoroughly. Household air compressors can sometimes produce enough pressure, but they don't have enough air volume to clear the entire irrigation system. Without the correct amount of air, water can stay trapped in the lines, even after hours of work.
With our professional equipment, our team usually completes a winterization service in around 30 minutes, depending on the system. What takes us half an hour can take a homeowner most of the day, and even then, it may not be done adequately. Using incorrect air pressure or procedures can also damage irrigation components.
Why Waiting Can Be More Expensive Than Booking Now
Putting off sprinkler winterization might seem harmless when the grass is still green. Unfortunately, unexpected freezing weather can put irrigation components at risk before you're ready.
Water that freezes inside your system can lead to problems such as:
● Cracked or broken backflow preventers
● Damaged irrigation valves
● Split underground pipes
● Broken sprinkler heads
● Leaks and unexpected repairs when spring arrives
The cost of professional winterization is dramatically less than replacing damaged backflow preventers, valves, sprinkler heads, or pipes. And if you delay until appointment calendars are packed, the service itself can cost more later in the season.
Schedule Your Mankato MN Winterization Service Before the Freeze
Getting on our calendar early can set homeowners up for success when it comes to winterizing their irrigation systems. Conserva Irrigation of Southern Minnesota is ready to get you on our schedule, but our available slots are filling up rapidly.
