Sprinkler Winterizing in Argyle & Northlake: How-To

Sprinklers and freezes don't mix.

North Texas winters are mostly mild, which is exactly why people get caught off guard. We'll go weeks in short sleeves, then a hard freeze rolls in overnight. Water left in exposed pipes and the backflow preventer expands as it freezes, and cracked parts and broken lines are the result. Then you get a surprise when you turn the system back on in spring, or worse, a leak you don't find until the water bill comes.

A little prep in the fall prevents most of it. Let's walk through it.

Why Do Sprinkler Systems Get Damaged in a Freeze?

Water expands when it freezes. The parts most at risk are the ones above ground or near the surface:

• The backflow preventer. This is the assembly that keeps irrigation water from flowing back into your drinking water. It's usually above ground, and it's often the first thing to crack.
• Exposed pipes and valves near the backflow or the house.
• Sprinkler heads and shallow lines in some yards.

A running system during a freeze is a separate problem. Water sprayed on sidewalks and driveways turns to ice. That's a slip hazard and a liability.

How Do I Winterize My Sprinkler System?

Here's a basic checklist. Every system is different, so check your controller and backflow manufacturer's instructions:

1. Turn off or pause the controller. Set it to "off" or "rain mode" before freezing weather. Don't leave it running on a schedule through a freeze.
2. Install or check a freeze sensor. A rain/freeze sensor shuts the system down automatically when temperatures drop. If you have one, make sure it's working.
3. Shut off water to the irrigation system at the irrigation shutoff valve, if your system has one.
4. Drain what you can. Some systems have manual or automatic drain valves. Follow your system's instructions.
5. Insulate the backflow preventer. Use an insulated backflow cover, or wrap it with pipe insulation and a weather-resistant cover. Don't block any vents or test ports in a way the manufacturer warns against.
6. Wrap exposed pipes near the house and the backflow.

What Should I Do Right Before a Hard Freeze?

When the forecast calls for a hard freeze:

• Double-check the controller is off.
• Make sure the backflow cover is on and secure.
• Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets and cover hose bibs.
• Know where your main water shutoff is in case a pipe breaks.

If a pipe in the house does burst, shut off the main water and read our guide on what to do immediately when your pipes burst. Our water damage team handles mitigation, and acting fast matters.

How Do I Check My System After a Freeze?

Don't just flip it back on. After the cold passes:

1. Inspect the backflow preventer for cracks, splits or leaks.
2. Turn the water on slowly and watch for leaks.
3. Run each zone and walk the yard looking for geysers, soggy spots or heads that won't pop up.
4. Look for wet spots that stay wet. They may be a broken line underground.

Do I Still Need to Water My Lawn in Winter?

Dormant grass needs much less water in winter, but a long dry spell can still stress your lawn and plants. Water occasionally during a warm, dry stretch, not right before a freeze. Watering a day or two before a freeze can actually help protect plants, which we cover in our guide on how to protect plants from a freeze.

How Does G3 Property Care Help?

Our crew handles irrigation repair and new irrigation. We can help with system checks, broken heads and lines, and spring startup after winter. If the freeze already did its damage, call us and tell us what's happening. We winterize irrigation systems across Argyle and Northlake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want help getting your irrigation ready for winter? Call G3 Property Care at (940) 391-5588 or visit our landscaping page.

Keep learning: see our Lawn Care & Landscaping page, read Yard Cleanup After a Storm: What to Do First.