How to Prepare Your Irrigation System for Winter in Chattanooga
When the temperatures start to drop in Chattanooga, it’s time to think about more than just pulling out sweaters and jackets — it’s time to prepare your irrigation system for winter. Proper winterization is essential to avoid costly repairs and keep your sprinklers ready for the next growing season.
At Freedom Irrigation, we help homeowners across Chattanooga, Rossville, Fort Oglethorpe, and Ringgold protect their systems before freezing weather sets in. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Winterizing Your Irrigation System Is Important
When water is left in your pipes, valves, or sprinkler heads during freezing weather, it expands as it turns to ice. This can crack fittings, burst pipes, and damage expensive components. Repairs in the spring can be costly — but winterization is a simple, affordable step that prevents those problems.
When to Winterize in Chattanooga
In our area, the first hard freeze typically arrives in late November or early December, but cold snaps can happen earlier. We recommend winterizing before Thanksgiving to ensure your system is safe no matter when the cold hits.
Steps to Prepare Your Irrigation System for Winter
1. Shut Off the Water Supply
Locate your irrigation system’s main shut-off valve and turn it off to prevent any new water from entering the lines.
2. Drain the Backflow Preventer
Your backflow device is one of the most vulnerable parts of your system. It should be drained completely and left open to avoid ice damage.
3. Blow Out the Lines
The most reliable way to remove all water is to use a high-volume air compressor to blow out each irrigation zone. This ensures that no water remains trapped in low spots where it could freeze.
⚠️ Tip: Using the wrong pressure can damage pipes and heads. For best results, hire a certified irrigation professional.
4. Shut Down the Controller
Switch your irrigation timer to “off” or “rain mode” to prevent accidental operation during the winter.
5. Inspect for Damage
Before storing the system for the season, check for broken sprinkler heads, leaks, or other issues so you can fix them before spring start-up.
Why Hire a Professional for Winterization?
While some homeowners try to winterize on their own, the risk of incomplete water removal is high. At Freedom Irrigation, we use professional-grade air compressors and follow industry best practices to ensure every line, fitting, and sprinkler head is fully protected.
Schedule Your Winterization in Chattanooga Today
Don’t wait until the first freeze — protect your irrigation system now. Freedom Irrigation provides fast, affordable winterization services for homes in Hamilton County, TN and surrounding areas.
📞 Call/Text us at 423-505-2124 or Email us to schedule your appointment today.
