Protect your Lawn and Sprinkler System from Freezing Temps

It’s official, winter weather conditions have finally reached us in the Dallas Fort Worth area. What does this mean for your lawn and your sprinkler/irrigation system? Both lawns and sprinkler systems can suffer severe damage if the proper precautions are not taken prior to freezing temperatures. Here are a few steps you can take to protect your lawn, garden and irrigation system.

First thing to know is that freezing temperatures can damage grass roots in your lawn if the soil is bone dry prior to freezing temperatures. You need to make sure that your lawn and garden soil is moist prior to a freeze. It is best to turn on your system during the warmest time of the day when anticipating freezing conditions. Be sure the outside temperature is 40 degrees fahrenheit or above when you run your system. You ABSOLUTELY do not want to run your sprinkler system during a hard freeze as this will cause damage to your system.

Next, in order to prevent your sprinkler system from running during a hard freeze, a good stop measure is the addition of a rain and freeze sensor. A rain and freeze sensor will make sprinkler system controllers shut off automatically based on weather conditions. For example, the sensor will prevent your system from running if temperatures hit 40 degrees or below. It will also stop your system from running during a hard rain which will conserve water and lower your water bill. This also prevents over watering that can damage your lawn and garden.

rainbyrdfreeze-and-rain-sensorsRain Bird and Hunter both make great dual rain and freeze sensors (pictured here). Call Andy’s Sprinkler, Drainage, and Lighting today to have a rain and freeze sensor installed on your sprinkler system.

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”

Happy New Year from all of us at Andy’s Sprinkler, Drainage, and Lighting!