Winters are the time of the year when homeowners start thinking about preparing for the irrigation systems thanks to the drop in temperature significantly. Lawn irrigation Austin TX is something that people continue to do even during winters; however, they still need to protect the systems from freezing.
If you do not make your irrigation system winter ready, it can get damaged from the winter’s harsh weather. It is because, in the winter, water might reach freezing temperature and then expand. So if any water is left in the pipes of lawn sprinklers Austin TX, it can get frozen.
If you live in an area where the temperature reaches a freezing point, it can cause immense damage to the pipes in the sprinkler system as the system might crack or break. This can cause flooding in the house or yard, and it can be quite challenging to get rid of the situation since it will be winter. Apart from this, water damage can be quite significant. What adds more to the strain is to have broken pipes removed and replaced amidst the dead of winter.
Fixing these irrigation problems is not only bothersome, but it can also come heavy on the pocket. So, if you have your system winter-ready, it can save you from these unnecessary expenses and headaches. Winterizing the lawn sprinklers Austin TX, is as important as prepping them for the summers, and fortunately, it is a lot easier to do than most people think.
Now, let us see how to take care of these systems for them to run efficiently:
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Protecting Pipes
If your underground pipe is buried 8 to 12 inches deep, the soil is sufficient to insulate them. However, it needs to be insulated if it is above ground pipes. Insulation does not demand any fancy equipment. Applying a self-sticking foam insulating tape or using fibreglass pipe insulation to wrap them can help insulation. Apart from this, foam insulating tubes sold at home supply stores work well.
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Blow-Out Method
Air drying the pipes is one of the most effective and efficient methods of ensuring the draining of the pipes for winters. This method is also known as the blowout method. It usually involves the employment of compressed air to push the leftover water from the sprinkler system. For this method, you will require these things:
- A 10 cubic-feet-per-minute air compressor
- Quick-connect hose adapter for connecting the blow-out port of your sprinkler system to the compressor
- Eye protection
This method can be difficult to perform, which is why calling the professionals is the wise thing to do. This way, you can stay assured that the job is done correctly and the system is devoid of any damage.
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Above-Ground Backflow Prevention Assemblies
Even though your lawn is dormant, it still demands some irrigation during winters, and if your lawn is full of eye grass, it will require regular watering. You can wrap and insulate the pipes for protection of the above-ground backflow prevention assembly, ensuring continued irrigation overwinters.
You can do it by Insulating the BPA with foam pipe wrap and using heavy rubber tape to secure it. As an alternative, you can also use fibreglass pipe insulation pipe or self-stick foam insulation tape.
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Controllers
Using the seasonal adjust feature on the controller for cold weather irrigation is a wise decision. It will ensure the zone run times change to a percentage of the programmed schedule on the basis of the year’s hottest time.
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Sensors
To make the controllers smart and upgrade the lawn sprinkler Austin TX, all you have to do is add sensors to schedule the controller. This will not reduce water wastage but also help in making winter irrigation more effective.
These are some of the ways of winterizing lawn irrigation Austin TX. Employ them for staying put in winters. If things go out of hand, you can always rely on professionals.
Conclusion
Making the sprinkler system winter ready is one of the best ways to make sure you have a great looking lawn in the upcoming spring season. However, if you fail to prepare your irrigation system for the harsh cold months, it is nothing but a recipe for disaster, which will cost you a fortune in repairs. Instead, take these few precautionary and easy steps to ensure your sprinkler and lawn is protected from the cold.
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Are you looking for qualified professionals in lawn irrigation Austin TX? Hunter Irrigation Service is your one-stop destination for all types of irrigation-based operations. We are a family-owned and operated company that offers the best sprinkler or landscaping service in Austin, TX. With a team of dedicated professionals, we have offered you the best service for surrounding areas sprinkler landscaping needs since 2003. We offer a holistic service for lawn irrigation using the highest quality machines and appliances. Apart from this, our service will save you a lot of your precious time, money, and efforts as we will help you create a well-maintained, planned, and beautiful garden or lawn. Suppose you are looking for a customized service. In that case, we also offer a personalized offer according to your requirement at a minimal price and employ the best professional at your service without any hassle.