Hear from Our Customers
You turn on your system next spring and everything works perfectly. No cracked pipes, no broken sprinkler heads, no emergency repair bills eating into your budget.
That’s what proper winterization delivers. While your neighbors deal with burst pipes and flooded yards, your system fires up like it never missed a beat. You invested in your irrigation system to make life easier—not to create expensive headaches every spring.
Professional winterization in Babylon means using the right equipment, proper air pressure, and systematic blow-out procedures that remove every drop of water from your lines. It’s the difference between a system that lasts decades and one that needs major repairs every few years.
Rolling Hills Property Services has been protecting Suffolk County properties for years. We understand exactly what Long Island winters do to irrigation systems, and we’ve seen the damage that happens when systems aren’t properly winterized.
Based in Smithtown and serving all of Suffolk County, including Babylon, we know the local climate patterns. Temperatures can drop below freezing as early as October here. Even a few nights of cold weather can destroy an unprotected system.
Our team is fully licensed and insured, using professional-grade equipment designed specifically for irrigation winterization. This isn’t a side business or seasonal work—it’s part of our comprehensive property maintenance services that keep Suffolk County properties in top condition year-round.
The winterization process starts with shutting off your main water supply to the irrigation system. This prevents new water from entering while we work. Next, we connect professional-grade compressed air equipment to your system’s test ports or valve boxes.
Working zone by zone, we use controlled air pressure to force every drop of water out through your sprinkler heads. You’ll see water shooting out of each head as the compressed air pushes it through the lines. We maintain proper pressure levels—never exceeding safe limits that could damage your pipes or components.
After all zones are blown out, we shut down and disconnect your controller. This ensures the system won’t accidentally activate during winter. We also check that all valves are properly closed and that any above-ground components are protected. The entire process typically takes 1-2 hours depending on your system size.
Ready to get started?
Professional winterization in Babylon covers every part of your irrigation system that could be damaged by freezing temperatures. This includes all underground piping, valve boxes, sprinkler heads, backflow preventers, and above-ground components that might retain water.
Long Island’s climate presents unique challenges for irrigation systems. Temperatures can swing dramatically in fall, and early freeze events often catch homeowners off guard. Suffolk County’s sandy soils and coastal proximity create conditions where systems can be particularly vulnerable to freeze-thaw cycles.
The service includes a complete system inspection to identify any existing issues that could worsen over winter. We check for leaks, damaged heads, or valve problems that should be addressed before the system is shut down. This proactive approach prevents small problems from becoming major repairs when you restart the system in spring.
Schedule your winterization by mid to late October, before the first hard freeze hits Long Island. Babylon typically sees its first freezing temperatures between late October and early November, but weather patterns can be unpredictable.
The key is getting ahead of the cold. Even one night below 32°F can cause damage if water is still in your lines. Many homeowners wait too long, thinking they have more time, but Long Island’s weather can change quickly.
Early scheduling also ensures you get your preferred appointment time. Irrigation companies get extremely busy once temperatures start dropping, so don’t wait for a frost warning—by then it might be too late to get scheduled before the freeze hits.
Water left in your irrigation lines will freeze when temperatures drop below 32°F. When water freezes, it expands with tremendous force, cracking pipes, splitting valve boxes, and destroying sprinkler heads throughout your system.
The damage often isn’t visible until spring when you try to restart the system. That’s when you discover cracked underground pipes flooding your yard, broken sprinkler heads that won’t pop up, and valve problems that prevent zones from operating.
Repair costs can easily reach hundreds or thousands of dollars—far more than the cost of professional winterization. Even worse, the damage often isn’t discovered until you need your irrigation system most, during the first hot, dry spell of spring.
While it’s technically possible, DIY winterization carries significant risks that often result in more damage than protection. The process requires specialized air compressors capable of generating proper volume and pressure, plus knowledge of safe operating procedures for different pipe materials.
Using too much air pressure can crack pipes or damage fittings. Too little pressure won’t remove all the water, leaving your system vulnerable to freeze damage. Most homeowners don’t have access to commercial-grade compressors with the CFM capacity needed for thorough water removal.
Professional winterization costs far less than repairing damage from improper DIY attempts. The equipment investment alone for proper air compressors makes professional service the more economical choice for most homeowners.
Professional winterization typically takes 1-2 hours for most residential systems in Babylon, depending on the number of zones and system complexity. Systems with more zones, multiple backflow preventers, or additional components like drip irrigation may take longer.
The process can’t be rushed. Each zone must be thoroughly blown out to ensure complete water removal. Technicians work systematically through every zone, watching for water to stop flowing from sprinkler heads before moving to the next area.
Weather conditions can affect timing slightly, but experienced professionals work efficiently while maintaining thoroughness. Most appointments can be scheduled within a convenient 2-3 hour window to minimize disruption to your day.
Complete winterization includes shutting off the main water supply, connecting professional air compressors to blow out all zones, draining backflow preventers, and shutting down the controller system. Technicians also inspect the system for any existing issues that should be addressed.
The service covers all underground piping, valve boxes, sprinkler heads, and above-ground components. We ensure proper air pressure is used for your specific pipe materials—never exceeding safe limits that could cause damage.
We also provide basic system inspection notes, identifying any maintenance needs or potential problems to address before spring startup. This comprehensive approach protects your entire investment, not just the obvious components.
Professional irrigation winterization in Babylon typically costs between $75-150 for most residential systems, depending on the number of zones and system complexity. This investment is minimal compared to the hundreds or thousands you could spend on freeze damage repairs.
The cost varies based on system size, accessibility, and any additional services needed. Systems with more zones, multiple backflow preventers, or complex layouts may cost slightly more. Some companies offer package deals that include both fall winterization and spring startup services.
Consider that replacing just a few damaged sprinkler heads and repairing cracked pipes can easily cost more than several years of professional winterization. The service pays for itself by preventing even minor freeze damage.
Local Resources
