How much does it cost to have someone winterize your sprinkler system?

Author: Prof. Eldora Beier III  |  Last update: Monday, October 13, 2025

The national average cost of sprinkler winterization is $90, with most sprinkler systems costing $60 to $120 to winterize. However, homeowners with large yards that contain many watering zones may pay as much as $275. Conversely, homeowners with tiny systems may pay as little as $45.

How much does it cost to winterize sprinklers?

The cost to winterize a sprinkler system is $91 on average, but it can cost between $56 and $133. Winterizing your sprinkler system costs $91 on average, but you can expect to pay between $56 and $133 for this service.

Who to hire to winterize a sprinkler system?

A certified irrigation specialist will make sure that your entire system is winterized, blown out, and shut down at the end of the season, preventing any weather-related damage from occurring.

Who can winterize my sprinkler system?

However, since there could be potential safety risks we recommend contacting your local irrigation specialist. Many offer sprinkler winterization services this time of the year.

How much does winterization cost?

The cost to winterize a house is $250 on average, but it can cost between $65 and $1,000 or more depending on the extent of work you need done.

How much does it cost to winterize a sprinkler system?

How much do people charge to winterize a house?

Cost of Winterizing a House

The cost to winterize a house can vary significantly depending on the size of your home, its current condition, and the extent of winterization you choose to implement. On average, homeowners can expect to spend between $200 to $1,000 for basic winterization tasks.

What is the difference between sprinkler blowout and winterization?

Sprinkler Winterization vs.

These terms are often used synonymously when it comes to protecting your irrigation lines from freezing. A blowout is the most common method of winterizing your sprinkler system and is the service Warner's recommends. There are a couple of scenarios where a blow out isn't needed.

How long does it take to winterize a sprinkler system?

If you have eight zones, your lawn sprinkler winterization appointment will take about 40 minutes. Any shorter, and there wouldn't be sufficient time to eliminate water from each zone. Here are the steps that an irrigation contractor follows during a winterization appointment.

What happens if you don't winterize a sprinkler system?

Irrigation winterization prepares your system for the winter by clearing any remaining water in the pipes and shutting it down. However, if you skip this essential task, any water left over in the pipes can freeze over, causing them to crack, break, and even burst!

How cold before sprinkler pipes freeze?

Like anything else that contains water, fire sprinkler systems are subject to freezing at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Luckily measures such as heat tracing and antifreeze exist to prevent this.

How much do sprinkler companies charge?

Irrigation labor costs $50-$100 per hour to install a sprinkler system. Repairs to existing systems run between $85-$140 per hour. Running a sprinkler system costs $1750 in water per year — expect to pay up to $200 per month during summer in hot, dry states.

How do you winterize a sprinkler system without a blowout?

Manual Drain Method
  1. Shut off the water supply to the system.
  2. Then, look for the manual valves at the ends and low points of the piping.
  3. Open all the valves and drain the water from the system.
  4. Make sure you also drain the backflow device.

Do sprinklers make your water bill high?

6. Lawn Sprinkler and Irrigation Systems. If you have a lawn sprinkler and irrigation system, you should know that it's naturally going to work harder during the warm summer months. If your irrigation system isn't programmed correctly or it develops a leak, you might find your water bill creeping higher than usual.

Can I just drain my sprinkler system for winter?

Aim to prepare your irrigation for winter about the time autumn leaves start falling. There are three common ways to drain sprinkler systems before winter: manual drain, automatic drain or blow-out. Manually Draining a Sprinkler System. Open every manual valve, including any near the manifold.

How cold should sprinklers be before winterizing?

At the freezing point of 32 degrees, Fahrenheit water left in your sprinkler system can expand and burst the pipes. Call on Home Inspection Geeks to take a look at your winterizing needs.

How much does it cost to winterize sprinkler system?

The national average cost of sprinkler winterization is $90, with most sprinkler systems costing $60 to $120 to winterize. However, homeowners with large yards that contain many watering zones may pay as much as $275. Conversely, homeowners with tiny systems may pay as little as $45.

Should I leave my sprinkler valves open in winter?

Leave all valves in the manual open position all winter to prevent repressurization. Open by turning the bleed screw or solenoid counterclockwise.

Can a dry sprinkler system freeze?

Under certain ambient conditions, wet pipe systems having dry sprinklers can freeze due to heat loss by conduction.

What to do after winterizing sprinklers?

Steps to De-Winterizing your Sprinkler System
  1. Step 1: Slowly Open the Main Water Valve to the System. This enables the pipes to gradually fill with water. ...
  2. Step 2: Manually Activate Each Zone. ...
  3. Step 3: Do a Walk-Through. ...
  4. Step 4: Reprogram the Controller. ...
  5. Step 5: If Applicable, Uncover and Clean the Weather Sensor.

How deep are sprinkler lines buried in Texas?

Most sprinkler professionals recommend burying sprinkler lines 8 to 12 inches deep in the ground. Sprinkler lines should be buried at least the depth of the pipe, which is 4 inches.

Is it too late to winterize my sprinkler system?

Winterizing Too Late In The Season

Winterize your irrigation system well before the first frost–don't wait until you see frost in the forecast for the upcoming week. If your system freezes with water still inside, it will cause significant damage to your water lines.

Can I blowout my sprinklers myself?

Sprinkler systems need to have all the water blown out of them before the winter freeze. If you have an air compressor you can do the job yourself and save the service fee.

When should I schedule my sprinkler winterization?

Ideally, you should aim to have your sprinkler system winterized in early fall before temperatures drop significantly. This allows ample time for a Greg Tanzer Sprinklers to properly drain all water from the system and make any necessary adjustments or repairs before cold weather sets in.

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