Sprinkler System Winterization in Lexington & the Triad
Every fall, the same thing happens across Davidson and Forsyth counties. A homeowner skips the blowout, we get an unusually cold night in November, and water sitting in the irrigation lines freezes and expands. By spring they have cracked PVC under the lawn, a split backflow assembly, and heads that shattered at the riser. The repair costs several times what the blowout would have. Winterizing takes us under an hour.
What Winterization Actually Involves
Draining a system by gravity is not enough in North Carolina. Lateral lines run flat or uphill and hold water. Proper winterization means forcing the water out with compressed air. Here is what we do on every visit: Shut off the main water supply to the irrigation system Connect a commercial air compressor at the blowout port Blow out each zone individually, running air through until the heads discharge nothing but mist Drain and insulate the backflow prevention assembly, the most freeze-vulnerable and most expensive component on your system Shut down the controller and set it to off or rain mode Note any problems we spot for spring repair We use regulated pressure appropriate to your pipe material. Too much pressure blows out seals and cracks fittings, which is the most common way DIY blowouts and rushed contractors cause the very damage they were hired to prevent.
When to Winterize in North Carolina
The Piedmont Triad typically sees its first hard freeze between late October and mid-November, though we have seen it arrive in the third week of October more than once. Book your blowout for mid-to-late October. Waiting until you see a freeze in the forecast means calling during the one week every irrigation contractor in the Triad is fully booked. We schedule fall service on a first-come basis starting in September.
Signs You Skipped It Last Year
If you are reading this in spring and something is wrong, freeze damage usually shows up as: A zone that will not pressurize at all Water bubbling up from the lawn instead of spraying from the heads A cracked or leaking backflow assembly Heads that pop up but spray sideways or not at all A sudden jump in your water bill We repair all of it, but the blowout is dramatically cheaper.
Areas We Serve
We winterize irrigation systems throughout the Piedmont Triad: Lexington, Thomasville, Welcome, Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Lewisville, Advance, Kernersville, High Point, and Greensboro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I winterize my sprinkler system myself?
You can, if you have a compressor that delivers adequate volume at regulated pressure. Most homeowner pancake compressors do not move enough air to clear a zone, and turning the pressure up to compensate is what cracks fittings and destroys valve seals. If you are going to do it yourself, air volume matters more than pressure.
Do I need to be home?
No. As long as we can reach your backflow, controller, and shutoff valve, we do not need you there. We will leave a note on what we found.
What if we get a freeze before my appointment?
Call us. One light frost usually will not do damage, but a sustained hard freeze can. If cold weather arrives early we will work with you to move your date up.
How long does it take?
Most residential systems take 30 to 60 minutes depending on zone count.
Should I also shut the water off inside?
Yes. We shut off the irrigation supply at the valve, but if you have an interior shutoff for the irrigation line, closing it adds a layer of protection.
Do you offer a service plan?
Yes. Our annual plan bundles fall winterization with your spring start-up and puts you on the schedule automatically, so you are not calling in a panic during the first cold snap.