Running the sprinkler system when it is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below is cause for concern.
While you may be eager to get your lawn back to its pristine green state, it is important to remember that temperatures at and below 32 degrees Fahrenheit put your sprinkler system at risk of freezing.
A sprinkler system will freeze if the temperature falls below 32° F (0° Celsius). Now, most indoor sprinkler systems are inside of buildings or homes where the temperature won't ever drop into the danger zone.
Wet sprinkler systems hold water in the pipes. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 25 stipulate that wet sprinkler systems be maintained at a minimum of 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
As mentioned earlier, the arrival of freezing temperatures varies from region to region. Generally speaking, those in northern areas should consider shutting down their irrigation systems as early as October, while those further south can usually wait until November or December.
Running the sprinkler system when it is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below is cause for concern. Let's take a look below at the best ways to protect your sprinkler system in the winter months.
However, if the temperatures do dip down into the 20's, or temperatures remain below 32 degrees for an extended period of time, your irrigation system can be damaged.
And those temperature swings and freezes can cause havoc with your outdoor irrigation system. Whether you face frozen pipes or some other form of winter pipe damage, you could end up with a flooded lawn and pricey landscaping problems and home exterior issues in the blink of an eye.
So remember, during a hard freeze, turn off your sprinklers, not just because you might turn your lawn into a giant icicle but because you might also be responsible for street accidents.
Nothing should be in that area between the bottom of the sprinkler heads and the imaginary horizontal plane parallel to the ceiling that is 18 inches below. This is done to allow an even and unobstructed spray pattern from the sprinklers when triggered to extinguish the fire.
Pipes can freeze in as little as six to eight hours, meaning they can freeze overnight. If the outside temperature is below 32 degrees F and your pipes are unprotected, your chances for a frozen pipe increase.
Pipes are most likely to burst when exposed to below-freezing conditions for six hours or more, which can happen throughout winter and early spring. Burst pipes could lead to a disaster, bringing severe water damage to your home.
The colder weather does not evaporate moisture from the lawn as quickly as it does in the warmer weather. Most lawn experts recommend watering your grass until the soil or ground temperature reaches the 40-degree Fahrenheit mark. It is true, less water is required and needed when the temperature drops.
If your grass suffers late fall, it will have trouble rebounding in the spring. Therefore, you need to winterize your sprinkler system about a week before the first freeze. That week won't harm the grass and will give you enough time to get the job done if the frost comes a bit early.
Anywhere from 55-62 degrees will keep your pipes from freezing while cutting your heating bill dramatically. PROCESS: While the weather outside is frightful and inside is so delightful, sooner or later you'll have to brave the blizzard and leave the house.
As water turns to ice, it expands, putting pressure on the sprinkler pipes and irrigation lines, which can eventually lead to cracks, bursts and other damage.
We all know that freezing begins at 32° F or 0° C, but at what point do pipes freeze within our own homes? Temperatures only need to drop to about 20° F for a few hours to put exposed pipes at risk.
The rule of the thumb is that it takes roughly 6-hours for water in your pipe to freeze after left in an unheated area. Meaning if you lose power at your home and the weather is reaching below freezing point, you have approximately 6-hours until the pipes will begin to freeze.
Pipes that freeze most frequently are: Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
Water will not freeze with the temperature air at or above 33 degrees, regardless of how far the wind chill is below freezing.
Another best practice to remember is that PVC piping lines should be installed at least one to two feet below ground to prevent damage from freezing and thawing cycles.