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When temperatures drop below freezing in Lake Grove, water trapped in your irrigation lines expands and cracks pipes, breaks valves, and destroys sprinkler heads. Professional winterization removes every drop of water from your system using specialized compressed air equipment.
You avoid the headache of discovering burst pipes in spring. Your system starts up smoothly when warm weather returns. Most importantly, you protect an investment that costs thousands to replace.
The process takes about an hour but saves you from repair bills that easily run into hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Rolling Hills Property Services has been protecting Suffolk County irrigation systems for years. We understand Long Island’s harsh winter conditions and how they affect your sprinkler system.
We’re fully licensed and insured, using professional-grade equipment that maintains the exact pressure needed to clear your lines without damaging components. Our team knows the unique challenges of Lake Grove’s climate and soil conditions.
When we winterize your system, it stays winterized. We’ve built our reputation on reliable service and complete customer satisfaction throughout Suffolk County.
First, we shut off your main water supply to prevent new water from entering the system. This stops the flow but doesn’t remove water already trapped in your lines.
Next, we connect our professional compressor to your system’s blowout port. We maintain constant 70 PSI pressure – the safe maximum for residential systems – and run compressed air through each zone individually. This pushes every drop of water out through your sprinkler heads.
Finally, we shut down your controller and check all components to ensure everything is properly deactivated for winter. We also inspect for any issues that need attention before spring startup.
The entire process typically takes 45-60 minutes, depending on your system size and complexity.
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Our winterization service covers every component of your irrigation system. We blow out all zones, main lines, and lateral pipes using industrial-grade compressors designed specifically for irrigation systems.
In Lake Grove, where winter temperatures regularly drop well below 32°F, even small amounts of trapped water can cause significant damage. Our equipment removes water from places you can’t reach – underground pipes, valve boxes, and backflow preventers.
We also deactivate your controller and check for any visible issues with sprinkler heads, valves, or exposed components. If we spot potential problems, we’ll let you know so you can address them before they become expensive repairs.
You get complete peace of mind knowing your system is properly protected through Suffolk County’s harsh winter months.
Schedule your winterization in late October or early November, before temperatures consistently drop below 32°F. Lake Grove typically sees its first hard freeze between mid-November and early December, but waiting until then is risky.
Even one unexpected cold night can cause damage if water is trapped in your system. Professional irrigation companies in Suffolk County get booked quickly as winter approaches, so early scheduling also ensures you get the appointment time that works best for you.
The ideal timing is when nighttime temperatures start dropping into the 40s regularly. This gives you a buffer before freezing weather arrives and ensures your system is protected well in advance.
While it’s technically possible, DIY winterization often leaves water trapped in the system, leading to freeze damage. Professional equipment maintains precise pressure – typically 70 PSI – that’s strong enough to clear all water but not so strong it damages components.
Most homeowners don’t have access to the right compressors or know the proper technique for each zone. Too much pressure can crack pipes or damage sprinkler heads. Too little pressure leaves water behind, which defeats the entire purpose.
Professional winterization also includes system inspection and controller shutdown. Technicians can spot potential issues before they become expensive problems. For the relatively small cost of professional service, you eliminate the risk of costly mistakes.
Water expands when it freezes, creating tremendous pressure inside your pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads. This expansion cracks underground pipes, breaks valve components, and can cause sprinkler heads to pop off completely.
In Lake Grove’s winter climate, where temperatures regularly drop well below freezing, unprotected systems almost always suffer damage. Spring repairs typically cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on how extensive the damage is.
Beyond the financial cost, you’ll likely discover the damage when you try to start your system in spring – right when you need irrigation most. Professional winterization costs a fraction of potential repair bills and ensures your system is ready to go when warm weather returns.
Most residential systems take 45-60 minutes to winterize properly. The exact time depends on your system size, number of zones, and complexity of your setup.
Larger properties with more zones or commercial systems may take longer. Systems with multiple backflow preventers or complex valve configurations also require additional time to ensure complete water removal.
We need to run compressed air through each zone individually, check all components, and properly shut down the controller. Rushing this process increases the risk of leaving water trapped somewhere in the system, which defeats the purpose of winterization.
Winterization and spring startup are typically separate services, though we offer package deals that include both. Spring startup involves gradually restoring water pressure, checking all zones for winter damage, and programming your controller for the new season.
We offer annual maintenance packages that include both fall winterization and spring activation at a discounted rate. These packages often include priority scheduling and additional benefits like mid-season inspections.
When choosing a winterization service, ask about spring startup offerings and whether we provide any guarantees against freeze damage. We stand behind our winterization work and will address any issues that arise from improper service.
Clear the area around your main shutoff valve and any visible system components so our technicians can access them easily. Mark or point out the locations of your irrigation zones if they’re not clearly visible.
If you have pets, secure them during the service appointment. The compressed air process can be loud and may startle animals. Also, let our technician know about any recent repairs or modifications to your system.
Most importantly, be available to answer questions about your system’s operation and to receive any recommendations about maintenance or repairs. Our technicians often spot issues during winterization that are much cheaper to fix before they become major problems.
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