Do You Need to Winterize a Sprinkler System in Ohio?

Yes. If your sprinkler system still has water in its lines when temperatures drop below freezing, that water can freeze, expand and crack pipes, fittings, valves, sprinkler heads and the backflow preventer. Winterizing removes the water before the first hard freeze so the system is ready to run in spring.

What happens if you skip it?

Freeze damage usually does not show until spring, when you turn the system back on. Watch for:

• Wet or soggy spots in the lawn
• Low pressure in one zone
• Water shooting up from a broken head or pipe
• A zone that will not turn on
• Leaks at the backflow preventer

How is a sprinkler system winterized?

There are three common methods:

• Manual drain: drain valves at low points are opened so water flows out.
• Automatic drain: valves open on their own when water pressure drops.
• Blow-out: compressed air pushes water out of each zone. This is common for systems without drain valves.

Blow-outs take care. Too much air pressure can damage parts, and escaping air and debris can cause injury. That is why many homeowners have a professional handle it.

Basic steps

1. Shut off the water supply to the system.
2. Set the controller to off or rain mode.
3. Drain or blow out each zone.
4. Insulate the backflow preventer and any exposed pipe.
5. Follow the manufacturer instructions for your valves.

When should you do it in Greater Cincinnati?

Before the first hard freeze. If your system is still on and the forecast calls for freezing nights, shut it down as soon as you can.

Spring start-up

Turn the water back on slowly, run each zone one at a time and walk the yard looking for broken heads, leaks and dry spots.

How Straight Line Landscaping can help

Straight Line Landscaping installs, repairs and maintains sprinkler systems across Clermont County and Greater Cincinnati. If your system has leaks, broken heads or zones that never worked right, our veteran-owned team can find the problem and fix it. Planning a new system? We design it around your lawn and beds so water goes where it is needed and nowhere else.

Call 513-702-1543 or request a free quote. See our irrigation services.