Winterize Your Irrigation System and Protect Your Driveway

As temperatures drop below freezing, a little preparation can help protect your home from winter damage. Our sister company, BOLD Construction, recommends winterizing your irrigation system before the first hard freeze, with special attention to the backflow preventer. Frozen water can expand and damage the assembly, leading to costly repairs.

Jason Dell of BOLD Construction demonstrates the process in this quick video:

How to Winterize Your Irrigation System

1. Shut off the irrigation water supply.

Find the valve box near your backflow preventer. If your system has a ball valve shutoff, turn the handle perpendicular to the pipe to stop water from entering the irrigation system.

2. Turn off the controller.

For an automatic controller, switch it to rain mode or off to preserve your settings for spring. If you have a mechanical controller, unplug it.

3. Drain and protect the backflow preventer.

Drain any remaining water from the backflow preventer. Some systems allow the assembly to be removed and stored in a dry place for winter. Because irrigation systems vary, check your manufacturer’s instructions or contact an irrigation professional if you’re unsure how to drain or remove yours. In many cases, a compressed-air blowout isn’t necessary for a typical homeowner’s system.

A Few More Winter Tips

• Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots before freezing weather arrives.

• If you can’t remove the backflow preventer, turn off the water to it and shut down the controller. Insulate the assembly with a heavy blanket or sleeping bag.

• If the assembly is already inside a properly insulated enclosure, it may have sufficient protection.

  
  

Caring for Your Driveway in Winter

To help protect concrete driveways and sidewalks, BOLD Construction recommends avoiding rock salt and traditional chloride-based de-icers. These products can contribute to surface scaling, cracking, and spalling, especially in newer concrete mixes.

For traction, use sand. If you need a de-icer, choose a calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) based product and follow its instructions.

A little preparation now can help protect your home through the colder months. Stay warm and enjoy a safe, stress-free holiday season.

—The BOLD Construction Team