Winterize That Sprinkler System!

The leaves are falling along with the rain and the cooler temperatures look like they are here to stay. The need for man-made rain is over for the season and that means it is time to start winterizing sprinkler systems in the Willamette Valley. Graham Landscape and Design is in full-swing of draining the water from our customers' irrigation systems.

Though we are blessed to have relatively mild winters compared to the rest of the northern climates in the country, it is still a good idea to drain the backflow and other components to an irrigation system for the season. This can be a Do It Yourself item for many savvy homeowners and property managers, but you certainly want it done correctly to avoid costly and inconvenient freezing repairs over the winter.

Isolation valves have to be turned completely off and any faulty valves replaced so no water enters the system over the dormant season. Backflow valves have to be set at a 45 degree angle and each test-port opened completely. All drains in valve manifolds have to be opened and the irrigation controller turned to the “Off” position.

If you are unsure of how all these components to a sprinkler system are properly winterized, we suggest you give us a call to schedule an irrigation winterization. For a nominal fee, what we like to call an “inexpensive insurance policy”, one of our trained irrigation technicians will make sure your system is properly winterized. You will be able to sleep easy knowing that this is one less item you have to worry about over a long cold winter.

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