Fall is here and the snow will start to fall before you know it. Winter weather has a way of wreaking havoc on your landscaping. But did you know the cold temperatures can hurt more than just your plants? It can also hurt your plumbing and the pipes that supply your sprinkler system with a reliable source of water are more at-risk than the rest of your home’s plumbing. 

Why? Because they’re more exposed to the changing weather conditions. Hiring your trusted Denver sprinkler service to do a blowout of the system can help protect it even when the snow starts to fall. If you’ve never scheduled a blowout before, you’ll likely aren’t sure what to expect. Read on to get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. 

1. What’s involved in a sprinkler system blowout?
During a blowout, your sprinkler system repair experts will turn off the water supply to your sprinkler system. Then, they’ll force all the remaining water out of the lines up through the sprinkler heads in your yard. This clears the lines of excess moisture that could otherwise freeze and expand once the temperatures drop. 

Without removing the water from your lines, you risk rupturing the water lines underneath your yard. Though you may not notice a problem during the winter, you’ll see it immediately when you try to turn on your sprinkler system for the first time in the spring. The blowout will help guarantee that your system works as it should when you’re ready to start giving your landscaping a little pre-growing-season TLC. 

2. Can I do it on my own or do I really have to make an appointment?
While it is possible to do your own sprinkler system blowout, it’s not the best idea. You need an incredibly high-powered air compressor to push the water through the lines. But you also need to know how the system works and the signs of damage to watch for that could lead to extensive and expensive repairs in the future. 

When in doubt, leave it to the pros. They have all the right tools and experience in place to make sure your system is in good condition both prior to and during the blowout. Even better, they’ll get the job done quickly so you can get back to enjoying your day. 

3. Do I need to be there during the blowout?
Not necessarily. As long as your technician can get to the water shutoff valve and access the control panel for your sprinkler system, they can get the blowout done. But if you want to be on-hand in case they find damage or simply want to see the process for yourself, you’re encouraged to stay  and watch. 

If you’re not comfortable leaving the area around the control panel unsecured while you’re away from home, try to schedule the appointment when you’ll be at the house. Our technicians are happy to work with your schedule to find a time that’s convenient for your needs. 

4. What happens if I don’t get the blowout done?
If this is the case, hopefully nothing. But Denver weather is unpredictable. Cold moves in quickly and hard freezes can happen as early as mid-October. If a hard freeze does happen, your plumbing system is at risk. The water lines under your lawn can freeze and rupture. But that’s not the only issue you could run into.

If the weather is bad enough, the pipes could burst inside your house. This can create a major flooding issue in the walls, do damage to your home’s electrical system, and potentially damage your foundation. When in doubt, schedule the blowout before the cold weather hits. This way, you’ll be prepared no matter what the season throws your way. 

5. When should I make the appointment?
Generally speaking, you should schedule the appointment when you’re no longer relying on your sprinkler system to water your landscaping and your lawn. Ideally, this should happen before the first hard freeze of the year. But if the first freeze has already happened, you should schedule the appointment as soon as possible. The warm Denver afternoons often heat the soil back up enough to allow your sprinkler repair technician to take care of the appointment quickly. 

Unfortunately, we can’t perform a blowout during freezing conditions. Doing so could end up damaging your system and your landscaping. 

6. What happens if there’s existing damage to the sprinkler system?
Any repairs need to get taken care of before the blowout. That’s why your technician will do a thorough inspection of your sprinkler system prior to starting the blowout. If they notice any problems, they’ll let you know and can make arrangements to take care of the necessary repairs quickly. Once the repairs are done, they can take care of the blowout. 

7. How much will it cost?
Every sprinkler system is unique and this means there’s no single flat rate for the blowout. The best thing you can do is schedule a consultation with your sprinkler service. During the consultation, they’ll inspect your system and can give you a firm quote for the blowout. Keep in mind that the cost of the blowout will always be less than the cost of repairing burst water lines and ruptured pipes. Think of it as preventative maintenance that can save you thousands of dollars in the future.

Schedule a Blowout Now
At Water Solutions, we believe your sprinkler system should work flawlessly. Our blowout services will help make sure your system can handle everything the bitter winter weather can throw its way. Don’t put off scheduling an appointment until it’s too late. Contact us today to book your system’s blowout.

If we notice any issues with your sprinklers during the inspection, we’ll take care of them immediately, saving you money and frustration down the line. This small task will help your sprinkler system stay in good condition throughout the winter so you can start relying on it immediately once the weather warms up.