Prep Now for Winter Cold!

11/19/2021
3:48 PM

Property Owners Reminded to Prepare for Winter

Colder temperatures should serve as a reminder that landscapes need much less water now than they did during the summer – and that it’s time to winterize outdoor irrigation systems.

Here are some tips for winter prep:

• Shut down your sprinkler system. Turn off the automatic timer and bleed the system of water to avoid pipe damage from freezing. • Find the master shutoff valve. If you have one, learn its location and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is. This could be critical if a pipe should burst.

• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Detaching the hose allows water to drain from the pipe so an overnight freeze doesn’t burst the faucet. Insulate faucets and exposed outdoor pipes.

• Insulate pipes and faucets in unheated areas. Wrap exposed water pipes in unheated areas (such as the garage, basement, crawl space, or space beneath your mobile home) before temperatures plummet. You can find pipe wrapping materials at any hardware or building supply store. For a high-tech solution, consider installing “heat tape” or similar materials on exposed water pipe. Use UL-listed products and follow all instructions carefully.

• Seal off access doors, air vents, and cracks. Winter winds whistling through overlooked openings can quickly freeze exposed water pipes. DO NOT plug air vents used by your furnace or water heater.