Here’s How to Complete Your 2024 Albuquerque Landscaping Irrigation Winterization

You’ll want to ensure that you prepare your Albuquerque home for winters as well — especially your sprinkler system, which can easily be wrecked by repeated freezes.

Here are a few suggestions on getting ready for your irrigation system if you’re in an area where the ground freezes:

Getting Your Albuquerque Irrigation System Insulated

Water for the irrigation system should be shut off for the season. Wrap around the primary shut-off valve for the irrigation system to keep it from freezing. Foam insulation tape surrounded by a plastic bag will work well against winter cold and frost.

If you are there without a main shut off valve, consider a smart precautionary measure. You will find foam insulating tubes and/or self-stick foam insulation tape in most home improvement stores. Any pipe above the ground should also be insulated.

Automatic Irrigation System Winter Shutdown

Automatic controls will need to be manually shut down to keep the timer and other controls from going automatic. The vast majority of controllers will feature a “rain-mode” setting, deactivating messages to the valves.

The beauty of this option is that the controller retains all of the programmable parameters such as starts and runtimes. The timer will remain active through the winter so there is only one change to the schedule; valves will stop operating until you reset it to “rain-mode”.

If the controller must also switch on a pump, disconnect the wires from the master valve and main terminals as an extra measure in case the pump is accidentally switched on and damage results from overheating. Another “rain-mode” option is just to shut off power to the controller itself. If you do, you’ll have to reset the time and perhaps everything else in spring, when it’s time to reactivate it.

Drain Irrigation Pipes Fast

Secondly, an important step to keep your irrigation system in good shape is to shut off all water to the pipes and sprinklers before freezing does cause expansion and eventually rupture the pipes.

Most commonly, it can be done using an automatic drain valve or manual drain valve or the “compressed air blow-out method”. Before figuring out which option is best, you should consult an irrigation expert at your local area. Most companies also perform sprinkler winterization services if you want to delegate it.

Guarding Irrigation Valves and Back-flow Preventers

Insulate above-ground valves and back-flow preventers. Don’t be afraid to prevent backflow by closing drain holes and vents on the backflow preventers. To do this, insulation tape can be used.

Final Thoughts

Winterizing your Albuquerque irrigation system is crucial in preventing expensive damage from thawing out. You can wrap up your system, disconnect auto timers, drain the irrigation lines, and cover valves and back-flow devices so your sprinklers stay safe during the winter months.

And whether you can do these by yourself or hire someone, winterizing your irrigation system now will save you time and money come spring. If you are planning early enough, it will help maintain the health of your landscaping and keep your irrigation system running smoothly.