Sprinkler Winterization Colorado Springs
Sprinkler Winterization in Colorado Springs: When & How to Blow Out Your System
One cold night can crack a backflow preventer. Here’s exactly when to winterize, what a professional blowout includes, and what to do if a freeze already beat you to it.
In the Pikes Peak region, sprinkler season doesn’t end with a calendar date. It ends with the first hard freeze, and in Colorado Springs that can arrive any time from September through Halloween. Sprinkler winterization (often called a sprinkler blowout) clears trapped water out of your irrigation lines, valves, heads, and backflow preventer so nothing cracks when the ground freezes. At Outdoor Projects LLC, a family-owned Colorado Springs company, we install and service sprinkler systems across El Paso County, and fall blowouts are one of the most important appointments on our calendar.
Quick Answer: When Should You Winterize Sprinklers in Colorado Springs?
Winterize between late September and mid-October. Colorado Springs averages its first freeze around October 1, and the latest first freeze on record was October 31. Shut off the irrigation supply, then have the system blown out with compressed air. If it’s late October and your system still holds water, book a blowout now.
Why Colorado Springs Is Tough on Sprinkler Systems
At 6,000+ feet, we get warm, sunny afternoons followed by nights that drop well below freezing. Those repeated freeze-thaw cycles, combined with our expansive clay soil that heaves as it freezes and thaws, put real stress on pipes and fittings. And your backflow preventer sits above ground, fully exposed to the cold. It’s usually the first thing to crack and one of the priciest parts to replace.
When Is the Best Time to Blow Out Sprinklers in Colorado Springs?
The goal is simple: get the water out before a hard freeze (28°F or colder for several hours). Your lawn and landscape need much less water once nights cool down, so shutting off a few weeks early rarely hurts anything. Turf goes semi-dormant and comes back strong in spring.
| Timing | Risk Level | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Late September – early October | Low | Ideal window. Book early, since schedules fill fast after the first cold snap. |
| Mid-October | Moderate | Still a good time, but you’re past the average first-freeze date. Don’t wait on a warm forecast. |
| Late October – November | High | Winterize immediately. Insulate the backflow preventer until the blowout is done. |
| Higher elevations (Monument, Black Forest, Woodland Park) | Higher | Plan 1–2 weeks earlier than central Colorado Springs, since these areas freeze sooner. |
Shutting Off the Water Isn’t Enough
A lot of homeowners close the irrigation valve, turn off the controller, and call it done. The problem is that water stays behind in the low spots of your lines, the valve manifold, the sprinkler heads, and the backflow preventer itself. When that water freezes, it expands, and that’s how you end up with:
- A cracked backflow preventer: the most common and most expensive freeze repair, often several hundred dollars.
- Split valve manifolds that leak or fail to open in spring.
- Broken heads and nozzles that waste water all next season.
- Hidden underground line breaks that show up as soggy spots or low pressure at spring startup.
A compressed-air blowout pushes that water out of every zone, which is why Colorado water providers and CSU Extension recommend it rather than a simple shutoff.
Already Had a Freeze? Here’s What to Do
Don’t panic. One light freeze often causes no damage, especially to lines buried below the surface. Take these steps right away:
- Shut off the irrigation supply valve and set the controller to “off” or “rain mode.”
- Don’t run the system to “test” it. If something cracked, running it can flood the area.
- Wrap the backflow preventer with an insulated cover or towels and a plastic bag until it can be blown out.
- Schedule a blowout as soon as possible. Any freeze damage usually shows up as leaks at spring startup, which is the right time to repair it.
Should You DIY a Sprinkler Blowout?
You can, if you have a compressor with enough air volume and you know your system. But the most common DIY mistakes are the ones that cause damage:
- Too much pressure, which can crack PVC fittings, poly lines, and sprinkler heads.
- Running air through a dry zone, where friction heat can warp pipes and damage seals.
- Blowing air backward through the backflow preventer, which can damage its internal parts.
- Skipping zones or missing drip lines, which still hold water.
A professional blowout is fast, affordable, and includes a quick look at heads, valves, and the controller, so you head into spring knowing what needs attention. It’s the same team that handles our sprinkler installation and repair, so anything we spot can be fixed at spring startup.
Our ProcessWhat’s Included in a Professional Sprinkler Blowout
- 1
Shut Off & Isolate
We close the irrigation supply and shut off the controller so no new water enters the system.
- 2
Connect Compressed Air Safely
We connect downstream of the backflow preventer and set the pressure for your pipe type, not one-size-fits-all.
- 3
Clear Every Zone
Each zone, including drip, runs until it’s spraying mist instead of water, then we move on without over-blowing.
- 4
Protect the Backflow
We drain the backflow preventer and leave its valves partially open so leftover moisture can’t lock up and crack the housing.
- 5
Quick System Check
We note broken heads, leaking valves, or controller issues, so you have a clear list for spring startup.
Year-Round Irrigation Care
Sprinkler & Irrigation Services in Colorado Springs
Fall Winterization
Compressed-air blowouts for residential and acreage systems.
Spring Startup
Safe recharge, leak checks, and controller programming.
Sprinkler Repair
Broken heads, valves, line breaks, and low-pressure fixes.
New System Installs
Sprinkler and drip systems designed for Colorado soil and water rules.
Xeriscape Conversions
Water-wise landscapes with efficient drip irrigation.
Drainage Solutions
Fix pooling and runoff before spring snowmelt.
Sprinkler Winterization FAQs
When should I winterize my sprinkler system in Colorado Springs?
Ideally between late September and mid-October. Colorado Springs averages its first freeze around October 1, and the latest first freeze on record was October 31. If your system still holds water in late October, schedule a blowout right away.
Can I just shut off the water instead of blowing out my sprinklers?
No. Shutting off the supply stops new water from entering, but water left in the lines, valve manifold, heads and backflow preventer can still freeze, expand and crack components. A compressed-air blowout removes that trapped water.
My sprinklers froze before I winterized. Are they ruined?
Not necessarily. One light freeze often causes no damage, especially to buried lines. Shut off the supply, avoid running the system, and schedule a blowout as soon as possible. Any cracks usually show up as leaks or pressure problems at spring startup, which is when they get repaired.
What is the most expensive part to replace if it freezes?
The backflow preventer. It sits above ground, fully exposed to cold air, and a cracked backflow housing or valve manifold typically costs several hundred dollars to replace, far more than a seasonal blowout.
Can I blow out my sprinklers myself?
You can if you have a compressor with enough air volume and know your system. The common mistakes are using too much pressure, running air through a zone after it is already dry, and blowing air through the backflow preventer. A professional blowout avoids those risks and includes a quick system check.
How long does a sprinkler blowout take?
Most residential systems in Colorado Springs take under an hour, depending on the number of zones and lot size. Larger acreage properties in Black Forest or Peyton can take longer.