Sprinkler System Winterization Cost | Price for irrigation in winter (2023)

Sprinkler cost for wintering per number of zones

Sprinkler systems1 are divided into zones covering specific areas of the yard. To ensure adequate coverage, each zone has the type of sprinklers needed for that type of watering (grass, shrubs, trees, etc.) as well as the size of the area. The bigger the garden, the more zones you will have. The sprinkler winterization price depends on the number of zones you have and generally ranges from50 US-Dollar bis 250 US-Dollar.

Cost of watering overwintering by method

The goal of winter is to completely rid the system of water. There are three methods for this: the manual drain method, the automatic drain method and the flushing method. All three methods have different effectiveness and costs. The right choice for you therefore depends on your specific irrigation system and your budget for the project, since you will have to pay for the service before the first frost and when spring comes again. Depending on which method you choose, you can expect to pay between$75 and $250Winterize sprinklers covering three to six zones.

Procedure with manual sprinkler drain valve

Manual drainage costs between$75 and $150on average. If your sprinklers have a manual drain system, you can drain the water simply by opening a valve. Special valves drain water from higher points, but water can still pool and freeze in low areas. Once the water is drained, it must be resealed. Some of these sprinklers also have check valves that only allow water to flow in one direction. If your system has these valves, the employed plumber or gardener will need to raise the sprinklers to allow the water to drain.

Sprinkler method with automatic drain valve

Other irrigation systems have an automatic drain. On average, this method of winter preparation costs between$90 and $175. As the name suggests, they automatically drain water from any high point as soon as they are opened. Similar to the manual drain method, the problem with this setup is that any low spot can still contain some water that can freeze and cause damage. Therefore, it is still recommended that a professional go out and blow out the system to completely dispose of the remaining water.

Cost for Ausblassprinkler

Another way to drain an irrigation system is called the blow-out method. It varies from100 US-Dollar bis 250 US-Dollar. During this process, all valves are opened and between 50 and 80 pounds per square inch (psi) of compressed air is blown through the system, forcing any water out of the orifices and cleaning them out. After this point, all water valves are closed to keep out new water and the controls that control flow.

However, it is important to have an irrigation system that can withstand this pressure. Otherwise the entire system may be damaged. This method is even recommended for those with manual or automatic drains, as a small amount of water can remain in the pipes if they're just drained, which can still become a big problem when temperatures are low enough.

Labor costs to winterize the sprinkler system

Most irrigation and lawn care professionals charge a flat fee to winterize a system in between$50 and $150. This rate is suitable for manually or automatically draining up to 6 zones. If your lawn has more, specialists usually charge an additional fee.$ 8by zones. You can also hire a plumber to do this work, which usually costs in between$40 and $200for labor and materials, depending on what type of method you use to winterize your system, how big it is, and what type of system you have. The cost of winterizing is small compared to the expensive repairs that could occur without it.

The total cost will depend on the type of professional you use to do the job and the type of drainage method you choose. The cost includes a cursory inspection of the system (40 US-Dollar bis 60 US-Dollar) to ensure it is working properly and is drained by manual drain valves, automatic drain valves, or blowing compressed air through the system. The national average cost of inspecting and cleaning a three or four zone irrigation system is approximately100 $. This is the recommended method, even for those that include manual or automatic drainage. That's because simply draining can leave a small amount of water in the pipes, which can still become a major problem if temperatures drop sufficiently. Many companies offer a complete spring-winter, customization and reactivation package for about150 US-Dollar bis 350 US-Dollar. It is often recommended that you have your system inspected by a professional prior to winterizing so any necessary repairs can be identified and made.

Wintering of various types of irrigation systems

There are a few different types of irrigation systems that one can have. Each is slightly different in terms of configuration. Drip irrigation systems are designed to deliver water to a small patch of land. Underground sprinklers distribute water to larger areas through protected underground pipes. On the other hand, above-ground sprinklers feature exposed pipes that are easy to move but are more vulnerable to the elements. Let's take a look at each one.

Winterizing the drip irrigation system

To winterize a drip irrigation system, you need youremployed plumberor have a gardening professional turn it off and drain it. This requires the entire faucet assembly to be removed and brought inside to keep it warm during the winter months. This type of sprinkler is above ground, so making sure it is fully insulated and protected from the cold is even more important. You can also use the blow method to ensure all excess water is removed from the sprinklers. After that, they seal any open lines to make sure nothing can find shelter inside.

Floor sprinkler system for the winter

This is the most common way because of its convenience. When it comes to winter, the process is quite simple. Although the piping itself runs underground in an underground sprinkler system, the main shut-off valve can still be exposed to the elements since it is located above ground for easy access. From there, simply drain the hoses by manual draining, auto draining, and/or blowing out.

Overwintering the above-ground sprinkler system

With above-ground sprinklers, it is important to insulate all exposed pipe to ensure it does not freeze in sub-zero temperatures. After that, the process is pretty much the same. You can start with manual or automatic drains depending on the nature of your system, and you should consider blowing them out as well to remove excess water that could freeze.

When should I winterize my sprinkler system?

The reason winterization is so important is that during an extended cold spell lasting at least three days below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the ground your sprinklers are installed on will freeze. This means that water trapped in the pipes or sprinklers will also freeze. When water freezes, it expands. Over time, this causes the system to crack, which can lead to leaks, cracked heads, and costly repairs.

So the best time to winterize your system is before the first prolonged cold snap of the year. For most people, that means eventuallyin late autumnbut varies with climate. If your area is prone to early frosts, it's a good idea to winter early, while climates that don't freeze until later in the year can wait a few more weeks.

If you live in a warm climate where the ground does not freeze, wintering is not necessary. You might still want it blown and checked once a year to make sure it's in good condition.

Activation of the sprinkler system

To spring-ready your system, simply turn on and open the water supply valve. Activation occurs at the end of winter. It's a matter of turning it back on and making an adjustment to make sure everything is working properly. The activation costs are usually approx40 US-Dollar bis 150 US-Dollar. The water is slowly turned on again so that the pipes do not burst due to a water wave. There is also a cleaning and inspection of all moving parts and each zone included in the activation price. The heads are straightened and raised, the electrical system tested, pressure checks performed, and the timer reset to the correct watering schedule. Any defective or worn parts will be replaced, cost between$1 and $3per foot of pipe and1 US-Dollar bis 8 US-Dollarper connector, including assembly. Sprinkler lines also need to be cleaned of debris or rodents, which can result in additional costs50 US-Dollar bis 200 US-Dollar. If your system requires more than this to operate, e.g. For example, adjusting the heads, checking the tubes, and adjusting the controls, most companies do this in between$75 and $150.

improvement and improvement costs

self-draining systems

When installing a sprinkler system, a self-draining system can be installed. This allows the water in the pipes to naturally flow down a slope. However, low-lying areas can still collect water that can still freeze. It is therefore recommended that you have your self draining system checked if you choose not to rupture it. This usually costs between$40 and $75.