How Much Does It Cost To Winterize An Irrigation System?

Once you’re raking leaves and watching football, it’s easy to forget about your irrigation system. It’s done for the season, right? It's time to watch the snow pile up.

But your sprinkler system needs some critical attention before freezing temperatures set in.

Maybe you’re the risk-taking type. Why not just take your chances and save a few bucks?

Actually, ignoring sprinkler winterization could cost you a bundle.

Let’s learn more about irrigation systems in winter, including:

• Why does sprinkler winterization matter?
• Can you do irrigation winterization yourself?
• What does sprinkler winterization cost?
• The cost of winter damage
• Damage may not be obvious until you turn your system on
• Cheaper solutions aren't always better

How much does it cost to winterize an irrigation system? And how much would it cost you if you ignored it?

The cost for sprinkler winterization is $130, which includes up to eight zones. Each additional zone costs $5.

However, the cost to repair an irrigation system damaged by freezing temperatures is much higher—up to several hundred dollars.

Why Does Sprinkler Winterization Matter?

Freezing temperatures can quickly destroy an irrigation system that wasn’t properly winterized. It's serious stuff.

It’s crucial to remove all the water out of the pipes, valves and sprinkler heads. If pooling water freezes and expands, your pipes break.

Broken pipes can only be repaired with expensive and invasive excavation and replacements.

Damaged turf, expensive repairs - all of it avoidable. And that will cost you a much heftier fee than springing for irrigation blowouts in the first place.

Can You Do Irrigation Winterization Yourself?

It’s tempting, right? Using that air compressor in the back of your garage is fun. But this isn’t a task you should tackle yourself.

Irrigation pros have the right equipment and skills to remove all the water from your irrigation system.

Here’s the thing: your workshop or garage air compressor has high pressure but not much volume.

You need a high-volume wall of air to blow all that water out of your sprinkler system for irrigation winterization.

Professional compressors produce massive quantities of air, but not high pressure.

If you leave your DIY air compressor on too long, really trying to get all the water out, you can blow apart the components of your irrigation system. It’s a bad scene.

Sprinkler winterization is tricky. Even if you think you’ve drained all the water, some water remains and can freeze, expand, and crack the pipes. Freezing water in the backflow assembly will damage the internal components.

You probably have plenty on your weekend to-do list, right? So, leave that important sprinkler winterization to the pros.

It’s a good idea to have a professional inspect your irrigation system one last time before winter. If it needs any minor repairs, they can take care of them now. Then, your system will be ready to roll once spring arrives.

So, What’s the Irrigation Winterization Cost?

Here at Outback Landscape, residential pricing starts at $130, which includes up to eight zones. Each additional zone costs $5.

If you’re thinking, “Hey, that seems a small price to pay for such an important task,” you’re right.

Irrigation winterization cost is super small compared to repairing a winter-damaged system.

The Cost Of Winter Damage

There are lots of things that can go wrong if you don’t have irrigation winterization done.

Let’s take a look at the potential problems — and the costs:

A cracked or frozen valve. Cost: $175 each.

A broken manifold costs $150 to $400 to rebuild, depending on access, the time the repair takes and the number of valves broken. If an entire manifold sat in a low spot where water pooled and all three or four valves broke, that’s a huge expense.

A broken backflow device. The cost of replacing a 1-inch backflow, including necessary testing, is $200-$750, depending on the location of the crack.

Irrigation System Damage May Not Appear Immediately

Even if you get lucky and make it through the winter with no breakage, we often see valves and other irrigation system components fail prematurely if they’re not winterized or not winterized properly.

Then, just when you think your irrigation system is ready for a busy watering season, it isn’t. Damage to irrigation systems in winter may not be visible until you restart your system in spring and find that things aren't working.

You should just pay the $130.

Cheaper Irrigation Maintenance Isn’t Better

Resist temptation if your neighbor tells you he knows a guy who does irrigation blowouts for 50 bucks.

Where will this guy who works on sprinklers part-time be this spring when your system springs a leak or a component fails?

Does he guarantee his work? Will you even be able to find him?

You want the same dependable crews who service your system year-round and know it from top to bottom to close it safely and expertly for the season.

Let Outback Landscape Tuck Your System In For The Winter

At Outback Landscape, we’re on top of all the last-minute tasks your property needs before winter. That's what we do, offering expert lawn irrigation in Boise and Idaho Falls.

In addition to expert irrigation services, we offer landscape design, construction, maintenance and lighting services to enhance your property.

We serve residential and commercial properties in Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Pocatello, Idaho, as well as Bonneville, Madison and Bannock counties. Call us at 208-656-3220 or fill out our contact form to schedule a no-obligation meeting with one of our team members. We’d love to hear from you.