At Arbor-Nomics, we strive to provide reliable, high quality lawn care services for our metro Atlanta, Georgia area clients. Watering your lawn is an important part of maintaining healthy and vibrant grass. However, in colder months, low temperatures can complicate matters. Winterizing your irrigation system is vital for homeowners who want to protect the integrity of their irrigation and plumbing systems. While our lawn service company doesn’t offer winterization or irrigation system maintenance, we do understand why it is an important part of caring for your lawn long term. We want you to be successful with your lawn care and home maintenance tasks. Here are some tips to help you get your pipes and sprinkler ready for the cold weather so you can keep your lawn in great shape no matter what time of year.
Why is Winterizing Your Irrigation System Important?
When the temperature outdoors dips below freezing, any water that is left in your pipes or irrigation system can solidify. As it warms up throughout the day, the ice will melt back into its liquid form. The constant fluctuation of temperatures can cause a build up of air pressure that can lead to cracks and damage to your sprinklers, pipes and fixtures.
Adjust Your Automatic Control Settings
Homeowners that live in regions that receive heavy snow during the winter will completely disconnect their irrigation systems. However, most property owners that live in warmer climates, like Atlanta, will choose to continue watering their lawns through the winter. When there is risk of freezing temperatures, they will temporarily disconnect their sprinklers until the weather changes. If you do keep the irrigation system on throughout the fall and winter seasons, pay careful attention to the weather. In Atlanta, the weather can be sunny and warm one day, and freezing the next, so be sure to adjust the control settings on your system as needed. Installing a system with smart features can help make this process simpler or consider integrating a freeze sensor if possible.
Insulate Shut Off Valves and Backflow Preventers
Once the water has been removed from your pipes, it’s time to insulate all shut off valves and backflow preventers. Exposure to outdoor temperatures could cause your interior pipes to expand. Be sure to avoid blocking air vents or drain outlets when performing this task.
Drain Your Pipes and Sprinklers
Regardless of the approach you take, it’s important that all water is drained completely from your pipes before those cold winter nights in Atlanta when the temperature drops below freezing. Neglecting this step could lead to burst pipes. You can do so manually using a drain valve, or by utilizing the compressed air blow-out technique. If you are planning on performing your own winterization, it’s best to manually drain the water from your pipes. Using compressed air is a fast method, but it can be risky. It’s best to hire a trained professional if you’re uncomfortable with the process or don’t have the time to perform the task properly on your own.
Do You Need Professional Lawn Care in Atlanta? Call Arbor-Nomics
After a long winter, many lawns have suffered through quite an ordeal. Your grass may have been harmed by frost, or you may have heavy soil that needs to be aerated in the spring. If you want quality lawn care year-around, get the help you need by calling the experts at Arbor-Nomics today. Our certified technicians are always available to help you maintain the beauty and health of your lawn. While we don’t offer winterization or irrigation services, our technicians provide a wide range of premium lawn care services including fertilization, weed control, outdoor pest control, aeration and more. We are proud to serve clients in Atlanta, Johns Creek, Brookhaven, Woodstock, Buckhead, Dunwoody, Roswell, Cumming, Alpharetta, Marietta, Georgia and other surrounding communities. Contact our office to learn more or to schedule a convenient appointment with a qualified lawn care technician near you.