What do cars, homes, boats, and RVs have in common with the irrigation system on your commercial property?
They all require winterization to keep functioning properly.
While professional assistance isn’t necessary to prepare your car or your home for the onslaught of cold and ice that accompany winters in Maryland and New Jersey, the same cannot be said for your commercial property’s irrigation system. You need a commercial landscaping services expert who knows how to properly protect your vital investment.
Why do I have to winterize my irrigation system?
Winterization is necessary to prevent your irrigation system from being damaged when the water in your pipes freezes and expands. If the frost line extends below where your pipes are buried, then proper winterization is a must.
Given the extensive and complex nature of the typical commercial property irrigation system, simply shutting off the water supply and draining the pipes (the protocol for most home irrigation systems) is insufficient. Residual liquid left in the pipes could freeze and cause costly damage.
The perils of improper irrigation system winterization
Deciding to go the DIY route or neglecting to winterize your irrigation system altogether can result in a number of negative consequences, including:
- A broken backflow preventer: The backflow preventer is a crucial piece of equipment that prevents contaminants (e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, animal waste) from being introduced into your building’s tap water supply. If frozen water particles damage your system’s backflow preventer, these contaminants can enter your water.
- A blow out injury: The “blow out” method of winterization is often necessary for large, commercial property irrigation systems. This process involves blowing compressed air through the pipes, in order to clear out any liquid that’s left over in your pipes after draining. The blow out procedure is extremely dangerous; when performed without the proper safety precautions in place, serious injury from flying debris can occur.
- Damage to the system: If you attempt to winterize your irrigation system without seeking the services of a professional you run the risk of causing the same kind of damage that you were trying to prevent.
You’ve invested a great deal of time and money into making sure your commercial property’s landscaping stands out. Why risk the future of that investment by failing to prepare your irrigation system to weather the harsh winter months?
GroundsCare Landscape’s team of irrigation experts has decades of experience caring for commercial properties in Maryland and New Jersey. Give us a call today at 888-588-8451 and we’ll make sure your irrigation system will survive until springtime!
