WHY IS WINTERIZATION FOR YOUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM IMPORTANT?

Winterizing your irrigation system is the most crucial maintenance step to ensure the longevity of your system. When water is left in your system, it can freeze and then expand when the temperature drops, causing cracks, leaks, and other severe damage to the various parts and materials within your irrigation system.

Winterizing your system protects your:

• Mainline manifold (the pressurized pipe that runs from your house into the valve system)

• Control valves

• Pipes

• Sprinkler heads and connections

All irrigation zones on your property require winterization, including the drip nozzles used for gardens and bushes.

DO I really need to winterize?

Yes. Winterization is considered a mandatory service, especially for anyone who has an underground sprinkler system. In many cases, significant damage can occur to your valve system without winterization, leading to costly repairs —up to $130-$150 per valve. Multiply that by 6 valves on a average sized system, and you are looking at approx. $1500+ in repair and labour costs.

Another point to consider is all warranties offered by your system’s parts manufacturers will be null and void if you do not winterize. The average manufacturer warranty for parts and materials in a sprinkler system is three years. However, you are responsible for making sure your system does not freeze to protect the components.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO WINTERIZE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS?

To reduce ice from forming and to prevent cracks and leaks, Grizzly Irrigation hooks up a minimum-size 185 CFM air compressor to your irrigation system. Then we open up all the valves to blow as much water out of the system as we possibly can.

CAN I WINTERIZE A SPRINKLER SYSTEM MYSELF?

Yes, you can winterize your system yourself. However, you will have more peace of mind by hiring one of our Grizzly Irrigation professionals. We have the proper specialized equipment to get the job done right. Grizzly uses a compressor with a sustained pressure of 100-120 PSI to blow out irrigation lines. A home compressor does not have the same sustained power and often contains a tank that has to be refilled at least five-to-10 times to winterize one zone efficiently. That is equal to 15-to-20 minutes per zone. Grizzly’s industrial 185 CFM compressor can blow out a zone in three minutes, saving valuable time. Rest assured that the job is done correctly by hiring Grizzly Irrigation for winterizing your sprinkler system.

Do you put antifreeze in the lines?

It’s a common misconception that antifreeze can prevent ice from forming in your irrigation system. However, antifreeze is a toxin that can contaminate your water, damage your lawns and plants, and seriously harm pets and wildlife. Grizzly does not recommend using antifreeze for use in any irrigation or sprinkler system.

IS THERE A GUARANTEE FOR YOUR WINTERIZATION SERVICES?

When you become one of our subscription members for annual sprinkler winterization and spring start-up service, you are guaranteed winterization for our irrigation and underground sprinkler blowout services from the valves out to the laterals (valves not included). We believe that honesty is the best way to serve our customers. That’s why we make sure all our subscribers are aware of the parts, components, and maintenance needed to keep their irrigation and sprinkler systems safe over winter. Find out how you can subscribe to our annual winterization and spring startup service package.

HOW LONG DOES IS TAKE TO WINTERIZE A SPRINKLER SYSTEM?

Depending on the size of the system, and how many zones are present, it can take 10 minutes to one hour to perform all winterization services.

WHEN SHOULD I BOOK MY WINTERIZATION SERVICE?

All Grizzly Irrigation annual subscribers are provided loyalty booking, meaning they get immediate service no matter the circumstance. We continuously look at the weather to gauge the best time for winterization. Calgary’s storm season is notoriously temperamental and can cause temperatures to drop drastically. We remind our customers to book their winterization appointments before any damage can occur from the deep freeze, typically from mid-to-late September, and at the very latest before Nov. 15, weather permitting. Plus, when you're a subscriber, we automatically contact you when your lawn sprinkler blowout service is due.

WHAT MAKES GRIZZLY IRRIGATION YOUR TRUSTED WINTERIZATION PROFESSIONALS?

Calgarians who love green grass and well-tended lawns trust Grizzly Irrigation for both spring start-up and winterization services. Our team members include those certified in turfgrass management and have worked at golf courses, so they understand the growth cycle of grass. They know that when a lawn turns yellow in the fall, it isn't because of lack of water, it's because your grass is going into dormancy for winter. The use of your sprinkler system at this time of year is unnecessary and can inhibit the grass from its natural process, and in turn, cause damage to the next growing season. Having a team knowledgeable about irrigation and lawn sprinkler winterization is not only a step towards a better lawn, but it is also a way to conserve water and money in the long run.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST FOR YOUR IRRIGATION WINTERIZATION SERVICE AND WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Ensure your irrigation system is protected with our winterization and irrigation blowout service. Our winterization cost vary by your total number of zones and can be found above. Save money by becoming a Grizzly Irrigation subscriber. Sign up for our subscription service package, and receive a discount on both our spring sprinkler startup and winter irrigation blowout services. Plus, we will notify you when your winterization service is due.