Fort Collins
Sprinkler Blowout &
Winterization Guide
We call it a sprinkler blowout because we connect a large volume air compressor to your system and force all the water out of your underground lines with air. The process is safe for your sprinkler system, when done properly, and will ensure you don’t have any unexpected freeze damage in the spring when you’re ready to use your sprinklers again.
Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about sprinkler blowouts in Fort Collins. Please read them over and then contact us via e-mail or by calling (970) 633-0636 if you have any questions or to schedule your appointment today!
- When should I schedule my sprinkler blowout appointment?
- How much does a sprinkler blowout cost in Fort Collins?
- Do you offer any specials or discounts on sprinkler blowouts?
- Why do I need to winterize my sprinkler system?
- When is the average first hard freeze in Fort Collins?
- What should I do if I can’t get a sprinkler blowout done before the first hard freeze?
- I want to water my lawn as long as possible, can I schedule a blowout later in the month?
- I was told I have a self-draining system, do I still need to do a sprinkler blowout?
- Can I blowout my sprinkler system myself?
- What is a blowout tee and do I need one?
- How do I find a trusted sprinkler blowout contractor in Fort Collins?
- I always forget to schedule my sprinkler blowout. Can you remind me every year?
- How do your sprinkler blowout appointment windows work?
- Do you offer after hours and weekend sprinkler blowout appointments?
- What kind of air compressor’s do you use for sprinkler blowouts?
- Do you offer sprinkler blowouts outside of Fort Collins?
- What payment methods do you accept?
- Do I need to be home for my sprinkler blowout appointment?
1. When should I schedule my sprinkler blowout appointment?
The simple answer: Schedule your Fort Collins sprinkler blowout in late September or early-October, before nighttime temperatures get below freezing.
Make sure you schedule early! We can not emphasize this enough. The days may still be warm but the weather this time of year can change very quickly. We’ve had hard freezes hit as early as late September and as late as the end of October. You just never know what’s going to happen with the weather so play it safe.
As a rule of thumb, most of our return customers will contact us the last two weeks of September to ensure they get in the schedule early.
2. How much does a sprinkler blowout cost in Fort Collins?
Our sprinkler blowout pricing is based on the number of zones that you have in your system. For additional information and to see our current rates, please visit our Fort Collins sprinkler blowout service page.
3. Do you offer any specials or discounts on sprinkler blowouts?
We offer service maintenance plans that allow you to save up to 20% by combining annual services. Ask about our other specials when you call to schedule.
4. Why do I need to winterize my system?
If you don’t winterize your sprinklers in Fort Collins, the water in your exterior sprinkler pipes and backflow preventer will freeze and likely cause damage to the system. Freeze damage can be a nightmare and in some cases can costs nearly as much to repair as installing a new system.
Always remember to schedule early and make sure you hire a reputable company that knows what they’re doing!
5. When is the average first hard freeze in Fort Collins?
We pay very close attention to the weather this time of year. The historical first freeze average in Fort Collins has been around mid-October but a freeze can hit us anytime during the month of October!
6. What should I do if I can’t get a sprinkler blowout done before the first freeze?
Your backflow preventer is the one component to your sprinkler system that is most susceptible to freeze damage early in the fall. This is because it is exposed directly to the cold outside air, as opposed to the rest of your system, which is buried and insulated by the ground. If there is an early freeze is forecast, follow our quick-drain instructions. After a quick-drain is complete, you can winterize the rest of your system anytime.
7. I want to water my lawn as long as possible, can I schedule a blowout later in the month?
We try to encourage customers to conserve water when this question comes up. The sooner you shutdown the system, the less water you’ll be using (less $). Keep in mind that your grass does not require as much water this time of year because of the milder temps. It is also naturally beginning to go dormant and it’s not going to suffer if you stop watering it now.
If you still feel like you need to water longer (maybe you just got new sod), then you can definitely hold of on having your sprinkler blowout done, as long as you watch the weather closely and feel comfortable performing a Quick Drain.
8. I was told I have a “self-draining system”, do I still need to do a sprinkler blowout?
The rule of thumb we use is to never trust automatic drains. They are great in theory and we use them on all our installation and repairs but they are not infallible. They can clog and shift as the ground settles over time, especially on new homes or those with growing trees.
9. Can I blowout my sprinkler system myself?
Absolutely. We’d hate to lose your business but we support “Do-It-Yourselfers” and encourage you to try if you’re confident in your know-how, have the time and have access to a decent size air compressor. There are a lot of things that go wrong so just make sure to use extreme caution and take your time. It may take you a few hours but there’s nothing more gratifying than saving a few bucks on a home maintenance project. If you run into any problems, please give us a call and we’ll be happy to come help you.
10. What is a blowout tee and do I need one?
A blowout tee is a sprinkler pipe junction that is installed down-line of the backflow preventer. It allows us to hook up an air compressor and winterize your system without having to blow air through your backflow preventer.
We can still winterize your system without a blowout tee, however, it is not suggested. This is because the heat generated from the friction (rapid air movement against the pipes) can damage the seals and internal components over time.
For some reason many homes in Fort Collins do not have blowouts tees. If your house is not equipped, we will let you know before we perform the blowout, explain the risks of blowing out the system without one and give you the option to install one before we perform the winterization.
11. How do I find a trusted sprinkler blowout contractor in Fort Collins?
You’ve already found one! 🙂 We’ve been doing sprinkler blowouts in Fort Collins since 2005 and have many, many happy customers. Whatever you do, make sure you hire a company that you’re confident will be around next year. The unfortunate truth is that we earn most of our new business in the spring from systems that were not winterized properly.
12. I always forget to schedule my sprinkler blowout. Can you remind me every year?
Yes! We have a sprinkler blowout e-mail list and mailing list. Let us know how you’d like to receive your reminder and we’ll get you on the appropriate list.
13. How do your sprinkler blowout appointment windows work?
We offer TWO hour appointment windows. If you schedule an appointment for 9:30am, that means our technician will arrive between 8:30am-10:30am. While we always try to arrive right on time, this time of year tends to be very hectic. In the rare event that we are running behind, we will call you by phone with an update.
14. Do you offer after hours and weekend sprinkler blowout appointments?
Yes! We literally work all day, every day, during sprinkler blowout season to ensure we can help as many people as possible. We will be available between 7am-7pm, 7 days a week, during the entire month of October and sometimes into November.
15. What kind of air compressor’s do you use for sprinkler blowouts?
We own and use commercial grade, tow behind, 90cfm and 185cfm air compressors for all Fort Collins and Northern Colorado sprinkler blowout appointments.
16. Do you offer sprinkler blowouts outside of Fort Collins?
We currently Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Timnath, Wellington, Laporte, Severance and parts of Johnstown.
17. What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, personal check and all major credit cards.
18. Do I need to be home for my sprinkler blowout appointment?
Yes, we will need someone home for your sprinkler blowout appointment.
Thanks for reading our Fort Collins Sprinkler Blowout & Winterization Guide! We hope you found it informative. If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail us anytime.