Winterization

Next Rain Irrigation provides a reliable and easy underground irrigation sprinkler winterizing service. We do both residential and commercial irrigation winterizing.

Also known as a fall sprinkler blowout

We are here for you!

Our Fully Trained and Knowledgeable Technicians will have all of the Proper Equipment and Tools to Safely Perform Fall Winterizing/Blow-Outs to any and all Irrigation Systems at your Home or Business.

Next Rain Irrigation's Winterization Process

01. Email Confirmation

Once you’ve booked, an email confirmation & receipt will be provided.

02. Automated Reminder

Reminder emails & text messages to turn the water off to the irrigation system and that we are scheduled to arrive the next day.

03. Completion Email

Be certain we have arrived. An email letting you know your system has been successfully winterized along with work process photos & any repairs found.

04. Envelope and tag

An envelope will also be left in your door or mailbox with helpful advice. The “Winterizing Connection Point” will be tagged and marked with the current year.

Things to know:

We can winterize any time but we begin our regular route starting the third week in September and will be performing winterizing until freeze up.

You do not need to be home for us to perform this service; however, we can schedule this at your request.

We recommend having this service done by the end of the first week of October.

Saying that, a very small number of our customers want to wait until the last minute and can delay into late October however there is a risk of above ground parts freezing and cracking, leading to repair costs.

Important things to remember:

Winterizing removes the majority of the water from all of the pipes and sprinklers so it won’t freeze and damage your irrigation system when the temperatures drop.

Waiting too late WILL cause damages.

winterization faq

What needs to be done prior to the sprinkler winterization?

The irrigation water valve or valves need to be closed and left off until around May 1st.

If you will not be home the day we are schedule to arrive, THE INDOOR WATER VALVE to the sprinkler system must be shut off and left off until the winter is over (May 1st). Please see pictures below.

We also suggest that the controller should be turned to the ‘OFF’ setting. Most controllers have a dial in the center. The dial is pointed at either ‘Auto’ or “On’ when the controller is set to water. Turn the dial to the ‘Off’ or ‘Rain’ setting. If the controller is different and you cannot figure out how to turn it off, it is best to unplug the controller.

How do I turn off the water to my irrigation system?

Locate the water shut off valve in the basement of the house. When the handle is parallel with the line it is ON. When the handle is perpendicular to the line it is OFF. You need to turn off the supply line so no water is going to the irrigation system. This valve or valves will be on the inside of your house and must remain off until Spring (around May 1st). If you have multiple isolation valves inline, close ALL the VALVES. Do NOT trust just ONE valve – as they are known to leak. Once the water is shut off, the inside drain valve can be opened. Usually there is a tap that you can open and drain the water out. In this picture the drain is actually a little cap on the side of the shutoff valve. Drain the water and then close it back up again.

How to find my water Valve?

A properly installed irrigation system will have a cross connection device installed on it. Prior to 2011 in Calgary, a device known as a DUAL CHECK VALVE was able to be installed. See photo to the right. Since 2011 a Double Check Valve has been required – which requires annual testing, but protects not only your drinking water, but the municipal water supply. A cross connection device in the City of Calgary generally have a red tag on it marked as the irrigation device. See photo below.

What happens during the winterization process?

When we do a fall sprinkler blow-out we come with a minimum of a 185 cfm air compressor and blow the water out, of the irrigation system. There is a tap on the outside of the house, which we hook up to, that will look similar to the picture below. We then run the irrigation system manually from the valve box(es) located in the yard. The valve box(es) are typically green. A 185+ cfm air compressor is towed behind a vehicle and has the air volume to push the water out of the sprinkler system. Our air compressors are regulated between 55 – 65 psi in order to not damage the sprinkler system. DO NOT LET ANYONE WINTERIZE YOUR SPRINKLER SYSTEM using more then 70 psi. Using a smaller compressor may or may not have the volume capacity to blow all the water out.