How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System in Cumming, GA

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How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System in Cumming, GA

Cumming is a great place to live. You can enjoy Atlanta and all the things that big city life offers while enjoying the community and convenience of a small town.

A decided advantage to living in Cumming is the moderate climate—for much of the year. There are three months during which the temperatures are likely to dip below freezing: December, January, and February—cold enough to ruin your sprinkler system if you do not winterize it.

A sprinkler system has several interconnected pipes both above and below ground. If a pipe breaks, the repair could cost you hundreds of dollars. Damage can happen with the first freeze. The damage worsens if the extreme cold lasts for any length of time: your soil will freeze at the same depth as the underground pipes. If you happen to be out of town when it breaks and the water runs for days, you’re looking at thousands dollars of damage. And there’s the angst you’ll suffer because it was preventable.

Sprinkler systems are great. No more dragging that heavy hose awkwardly around the lawn every other evening. You have more time to take advantage of Cumming as “The Gateway to Leisure Living.” You need to spend some time in the fall to guarantee that you have that leisure time in the spring and summer instead of dealing with the frustration of sprinkler system repairs.

If you are going to winterize yourself, make sure you do it carefully and thoroughly. You’ll be glad you did when spring comes and the system is ready to go.

Winterize before cold temperatures move in. Don’t keep thinking, “Later. I have time.” Those freezing temperatures are known to sneak up on us.

First thing to do is turn off the water valve that supplies your sprinkler system. It’s usually in your basement or in a crawl space. (If you do not have a main shut-off valve, consider having one installed—the expense is minimal compared to the expensive repairs you can incur.) If the main valve may be in danger from freezing temperatures, wrap insulation around it.

Allow the sprinkler timer to run through all of its cycles.

To protect the pipes that are above the ground, use self-sticking foam-insulating tape or foam insulating tubes. If you can bury the pipes for the winter, even better.

Of course, you don’t have to do it yourself. There are professionals who offer maintenance contracts. They will winterize your system and check it again in the spring. check it again in the spring.

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Photo: Flickr / Chad

Additional Tips for Winter:

  • Disconnect and drain your hose. Store it where the freezing temperatures can’t get to it. If your hose is left outside and freezes, wait until it thaws before touching it. Frozen hoses are fragile.
  • Drain the pipes and hoses on window air conditioning units.
  • Clean gutters so winter rains and melting snow can drain properly.

Spend the time getting ready for winter, and you are assured that there will be no unpleasant surprises waiting for you in the spring.

Have questions about winterizing your sprinkler system or winter lawn care in general? Visit our Cumming lawn care page or share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Lois Crouse