Every fall, I hear the same thing from homeowners who aren’t quite sure what to do — or if it’s even necessary — to winterize their lawn sprinkler systems.
They’ll ask me, “Bob, do I really need to do this? What if it’s a mild winter?”
It’s a fair question. I get it — Maryland winters can be unpredictable. Some years we barely see a hard freeze, and others we’re digging out from ice and snow. But here’s the truth: even in mild winters, the risk of frozen sprinkler lines and costly repairs is still very real.
That’s why today, I want to walk you through exactly how sprinkler winterization works, why it matters, and what really happens during the process — so you can make an informed decision and protect your system the smart way.
Why Sprinkler Winterization Matters
Your sprinkler system isn’t just a few pipes under the lawn. It’s a connected network of underground lines, fittings, valves, and sprinkler heads. When you shut it off for the season, there’s always water left inside those pipes.
And here’s the problem: when water freezes, it expands.
That expansion is strong enough to crack pipes, split valves, and even damage your backflow preventer. You might not notice anything all winter — but when spring rolls around, those cracks can lead to leaks, low pressure, and expensive repairs.
One broken line or damaged backflow can cost hundreds, even thousands, to fix. That’s why winterization is one of the most important (and affordable) things you can do to protect your investment.
Our TLC 7-Year Parts and Labor Warranty — and Why Winterization Is a Must
At TLC, we’re proud to warrant our lawn sprinkler systems for seven full years — parts and labor. That’s one of the strongest warranties in the industry, and it shows how confident we are in the quality of our installations and service.
But there’s one important condition: the system must be properly winterized each year by a licensed professional.
Here’s why.
When water freezes, it expands — and that expansion creates tremendous pressure inside your sprinkler components. Even if a pipe or valve doesn’t crack during one winter, that stress weakens the material. The next freeze could be the one that finally causes it to fail.
Skipping winterization or doing it incorrectly exposes your entire system to unnecessary strain, and over time, those stresses can shorten the lifespan of every part of your irrigation system.
So whether your system is brand-new or a few years old, it’s essential to have it winterized properly by a licensed company that knows the right pressures, procedures, and safety steps. That’s the best way to protect your investment — and to make sure your TLC warranty stays valid for the full seven years.
How Sprinkler Winterization Works (Step-by-Step)
When it comes to winterization, using the proper equipment and following the correct procedures is everything. There are specific industry standards that professional irrigation companies must follow — and at TLC, we don’t just meet them, we go above them.
We’re not bragging — we just believe that if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. Our goal is simple: to make sure every single sprinkler system we service is protected from winter damage.
Here’s exactly how we do it.
Step 1: Shutting Down the Water Supply
We start by turning off the main irrigation water line, which is usually found near your water meter or inside your basement. Then we open the drain valves to release any easily accessible water.
That drains some of the system, but not all of it. There’s still water trapped underground — and that’s where the next step comes in.
Step 2: Connecting the Air Compressor
We hook up a commercial-grade air compressor to your irrigation system.
Now, this isn’t your garage air pump — it’s specialized equipment designed to deliver high air volume at a safe, steady pressure (usually 50–80 PSI). The key is consistency. Too much pressure can damage the system; too little won’t clear it fully.
That’s one of the biggest reasons I don’t recommend DIY blowouts. Without the right compressor, you can easily leave water in the lines — or worse, cause damage trying to remove it.
Step 3: Blowing Out Each Zone
Once the compressor is connected, we go through your sprinkler zones one at a time.
You’ll see air and mist shooting from each sprinkler head — that’s the trapped water being forced out. We keep blowing air through until we see nothing but dry mist. Then we shut that zone down and move to the next.
Each zone takes about 1–2 minutes, depending on your setup. By the time we’re done, every pipe is dry and protected.
Step 4: Clearing the Backflow Preventer
Your backflow preventer protects your home’s drinking water from contamination, and it’s one of the most expensive parts of your sprinkler system.
Inside are small chambers and valves that can easily crack if even a few drops of water freeze. That’s why we take extra care to drain and blow out your backflow preventer properly.
We open the test cocks and relief valves so any remaining water drains completely. This step alone has saved countless homeowners hundreds of dollars in springtime repairs.
Step 5: Final System Check and Controller Shutdown
After every zone is cleared, we do a quick inspection — making sure each valve and head shut down properly and checking for wear or leaks.
Then we set your irrigation controller to “Off” or “Rain Mode.” That way, your programming stays intact for next year, but your system won’t accidentally turn on during winter.
What You Can Expect from TLC’s Process
When you schedule winterization with TLC, here’s what you can expect every time:
✅ A friendly reminder before your appointment.
✅ On-time arrival from experienced, professional technicians.
✅ A thorough, safe blowout using commercial-grade equipment.
✅ A visual inspection for issues before the system is shut down.
✅ A clean workspace and clear communication before we leave.
The whole process takes about 30–45 minutes, and when we’re done, you’ll have total peace of mind knowing your system is fully protected from freezing temperatures.
Common Myths About Sprinkler Winterization
Myth #1: “I can just drain it myself.”
You might get some of the water out, but never all of it. Even a few ounces of water can freeze and split pipes wide open.
Myth #2: “It’s not that cold here — I’ll be fine.”
Maryland winters can dip below freezing without warning. All it takes is one cold night to do real damage.
Myth #3: “I’ll just fix it in the spring if something breaks.”
Repairs always cost more than prevention. A $120 winterization visit is a bargain compared to a $900 backflow replacement.
When Should You Schedule Winterization?
We recommend scheduling your winterization between late October and early November — before the first hard freeze hits.
Even if you’re done watering for the season, water is still sitting in the lines. Once the ground freezes, that water becomes ice — and ice doesn’t forgive.
Why Homeowners Choose TLC Incorporated
I’ve been in this business for over 40 years, and one thing has never changed: my commitment to treating every homeowner the way I’d want to be treated.
That means no gimmicks, no scare tactics, and no shortcuts. When you call TLC for sprinkler winterization, you’re getting experienced professionals who care about protecting your home as much as you do.
We use the proper equipment, follow the correct procedures, and go above and beyond industry standards — because that’s what it takes to do the job right.
Our goal is simple — to make sure your sprinkler system wakes up in the spring working just as perfectly as it did last summer.
The Bottom Line
Sprinkler winterization might not be glamorous, but it’s one of the smartest investments you can make in your property.
A small step now can save you major headaches — and major repair bills — later.
So don’t wait for that first cold snap to catch you off guard. Give us a call today, and we’ll make sure your lawn sprinkler system is ready to handle whatever winter has in store.
👉 Schedule your sprinkler winterization with TLC Incorporated today — before the first freeze!