The Old Farmer’s Almanac (almanac.com) indicates that our typical first frost occurs around November 13th. And, though a frost itself is usually not enough to bust pipes or damage irrigation pumps, this first frost time-frame is a good reminder that deeper freezes are coming and it’s time to winterize your sprinkler system. It’s also an indicator that most of our turf grasses will be dormant soon, and not need watering.
In our area we don’t blow out the lines with compressed air like they do up North, as it is not necessary in our climate. Our irrigation lines are usually deep enough to avoid damage from the shallow freezes we get. We do, however, recommend winterizing your pump and any above-ground water pipes. It is common to see pipes, check valves, or worse, pump housings bust over winter. All fixable, but the latter can be expensive.
Give us a call before Thanksgiving for special pricing on winterization service. 843-779-2832