Winterize your irrigation system

I know it's time to winterize my irrigation system when I can smell Fall in the air.

When blue skies become grey and I can feel a chilly breeze in the air, I know it's time to shut the irrigation system down for the winter.  

I think October is the perfect month... depending on where you live.

The reason that you want to winterize your irrigation system (some call it blowing out your system)  is because the water in your irrigation pipes will burst because of expansion when the water freezes.   Some may say that you don't need to because your pipes are buried (a minimum) of 12" beneath the ground.   This is not wise as your pipes may not freeze but your valves are in a valve box and exposed to the cold air which could cause a break.

We fix a lot of Backflow devices that freeze cracked during the winter because the irrigation system was not winterized.  That is a costly mistake as having a contractor replace a double check valve assembly (dcva) generally starts around $500.00 (depending on the size and availability of the dvca).

You winterize your irrigation system by using an air compressor to blow air through your irrigation pipes which pushes the water out through the sprinkler heads.  You will not get every last drop of water out, but there will be enough space in the pipes for water to expand without the pipes bursting.

October is the perfect time to winterize because you never know when a November Freeze may sneak up on you and catch you off guard.

Give us a call and let us set up an appointment to winterize your irrigation system!

253-261-2700

Thanks for reading the blog!
Derrik Tribble
The Lawn Psychologist

Drainage Solutions...

Old Catch Basin w/poor drainage

Fall is certainly upon us here in the Pacific Northwest.  

A lot of times, people will forget their drainage problems over the summer because they are having fun and the nice weather is hiding the problem... for the moment.  But as the Fall rains arrive, it rears it's ugly head.

Cutting Sod and preparing for new drainage pipe.

Connecting new drainage pipe and catch basins.

Not addressing drainage problems can cause serious problems over time.  A minor trickle of runoff over time can gradually erode a hill side away.   A pool of water at the bottom of a downspout may be pooling under your house eventually compromising your houses foundation and create mold problems.

Covering new drainage with wash rock

Most drainage issues can be solved by installing drainage pipes in "problem areas,"  connecting to these existing drains.  However, if there are no existing drains or your in a low spot you may have to pump the water from one area to another (like a drainage ditch a french drain or a sump pump ).

Replacing Sod to look like new!

The pictures in this blog are from a park in Federal Way/Tacoma area.    Here we are re-connecting existing drainage and catch basins that have become clogged over time.    Cleaning these areas out and adding additional drainage should solve their issue.


Let OLM come up with a drainage solution that fits your needs.  We service Enumclaw, Buckley, Bonney Lake, Auburn, Kent, Federal Way, Puyallup, Tacoma, and Renton and Tukwilla.

Clean Catch basins with drain rock that will work!

Contact us for a free quote!
253-261-2700
email: info@olympiclawn.com

Thanks for reading the blog!
Derrik Tribble
The Lawn Psychologist