When you’ve gone to all the trouble (and expense) of having a tailored irrigation system installed on your property, the last thing you need is for the equipment to fail mid-winter due to frozen or cracked pipes.
Many property owners underestimate the potential for underground pipes to crack and valve housings to split over winter, but residual water left within these systems after the final season’s watering expands when it freezes, and this can cause major irrigation issues.
With Nashville’s freeze/thaw cycles, where temperatures can hover around 60°F one day and plummet to 20°F the next, your irrigation system can really take a beating.
Repairing or replacing damaged parts of an irrigation system can sometimes mean digging up your yard, but it could also prevent timely irrigation across your property when spring rolls back around. The best way to avoid these events is to schedule a proper winter irrigation inspection.
At The Parke Company, we have long offered irrigation system winterization to our clients. As one of Middle Tennessee’s best landscaping and tree service companies, our team is committed to protecting and beautifying residential and public spaces through comprehensive, year-round landscape management, and irrigation services are no exception.
Should you encounter problems with your irrigation system due to frozen residual water, we can provide the repair and maintenance services you need to remediate the issue and prevent this type of damage from recurring.
When to Winterize an Irrigation System in Tennessee
Understanding when to winterize an irrigation system in Tennessee is important, especially in Middle Tennessee, where temperature swings can be sudden and severe. Even when your irrigation system is turned “off” at the controller, broken pipes or burst fittings can cause property-wide problems. In winter, these signs show up as follows:
- Consistent soggy spots or pooling water in your yard (especially near sprinkler heads and valves, and along the main line).
- Ice patches that form on your lawn or walkway.
- Unusually discolored or tall patches of grass unintentionally receiving additional water underground.
- Movement on your water meter flow indicator.
- Visible sprinkler heads that should have disappeared below ground.
- Visible cracks or chips on plastic casings (indicating freeze damage).
Most of the time, cracked pipes, leaks, and frozen valves go unnoticed over winter because the damage happens underground. By spring, however, you’ll notice signs your system isn’t functioning properly. Things to look out for include:
- Low or uneven water pressure.
- Hissing or bubbling sounds when the system is on.
- Erratic spray patterns or sprinkler heads that aren’t popping up.
By winterizing your irrigation system about one to three weeks before the first hard freeze, you can prevent water buildup from causing cracks and other system-wide damage.
How Professionals Winterize Your Irrigation System
Professional winterization of your irrigation system requires the complete removal of water from every component to prevent freezing and expansion that can lead to cracking, splitting, and equipment malfunctions.
In most residential systems, this is done through manual drainage or compressed-air blowout. While the latter is the most thorough and reliable approach, some irrigation systems are designed with manual valves to be opened for drainage after the main water supply is shut off.
The compressed-air blowout method (most often used for complex or larger property systems) uses an air compressor to force all remaining water out of pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads. This process must be performed carefully, zone by zone, to avoid damaging fittings or pipe joints and to ensure that no residual water is trapped underground.
Backflow preventers also receive attention during winterization. These devices are designed to protect your home’s water supply from contamination by backflow from the irrigation system; this backflow can contain fertilizers and bacteria and is particularly vulnerable to freeze damage. A cracked backflow assembly can lead to significant repair costs and plumbing code violations come spring, so it’s important to know they’ve been secured.
Finally, controllers and timers are powered down to prevent accidental system activation during freezing temperatures. A thorough final inspection confirms that all zones are fully cleared and that components are secure, preventing costly, yet all-too-common irrigation system issues.
When to Call for Inspection or Repairs Before the Spring Startup
We recommend that you call for a professional inspection or repairs to your irrigation system before the spring startup if you notice any of the unusual signs listed above in your yard. This is one of the smartest steps you can take, especially if you have an advanced or extensive drip system prone to drip irrigation issues. Identifying concerns and issues early allows repairs to be completed before spring demand increases and before your spring irrigation is scheduled to begin.
For Peace of Mind: Schedule a Mid-Winter Irrigation Inspection With The Parke Company
For homeowners in Belle Meade, Forest Hills, Oak Hill, Brentwood, Franklin, College Grove, and the broader Nashville metropolitan area, proactive winterization of irrigation systems can be the difference between a smooth start to spring and costly surprises.
Scheduling a professional inspection with our experts at The Parke Company allows us to identify hidden leaks, resolve freeze damage early, and ensure every component of your system is in good working order.
If you’re wondering when to winterize an irrigation system in Tennessee, or how to ensure it remains protected through the colder months, a professional inspection gives you the peace of mind you deserve.
For trusted landscape care and reliable irrigation expertise, The Parke Company provides a full-service approach that protects your property year-round, helping your lawn, trees, and plant beds stay healthy season after season and flourish with full resplendence in the spring, summer, and fall.
Get in touch today to schedule your mid-winter irrigation inspection.