As fall arrives in the St. Louis area, it's time to prepare your lawn—and your sprinkler system—for the upcoming colder months. With cooler temperatures and changing weather, your sprinkler system needs special attention to ensure it's protected and your lawn stays healthy. In this guide, we'll walk you through essential fall lawn care tips and how to properly winterize your sprinkler system to avoid costly repairs in the spring.
1. Adjust Your Watering Schedule
As temperatures drop in the fall, your lawn doesn't need as much water as it does in the hot summer months. Overwatering can lead to fungus growth and other issues, so adjusting your sprinkler system's schedule is key. Reduce watering to about twice a week, and aim to water early in the morning for optimal results.
Tip: Use a rain sensor or monitor the forecast to avoid running your sprinklers after heavy rainfall.
2. Inspect Your Sprinkler System
Fall is a great time to inspect your entire sprinkler system for any damage that may have occurred during the summer. Look for leaks, broken sprinkler heads, and uneven water distribution. Identifying and addressing these issues now will save you from headaches when you start using your system again in the spring.
Pro Tip: If you're not sure what to look for, Automatic Rain can perform a thorough system inspection for you!
3. Winterize Your Sprinkler System
One of the most important tasks in fall lawn care is winterizing your sprinkler system. Freezing temperatures can cause the water in your pipes to expand, leading to burst pipes and expensive repairs. Here's how to protect your system:
- Shut Off the Water Supply: Turn off the main water supply to your sprinkler system.
- Drain the System: Use the manual drain valve or an automatic drain system to remove any excess water from the pipes.
- Blow Out the Lines: This step is crucial! Use an air compressor to blow out any remaining water in the sprinkler lines. This prevents the pipes from freezing and cracking during the winter months.
Note: Blowing out sprinkler lines can be tricky if you don’t have the right equipment or experience. Hiring a professional from Automatic Rain ensures that your system is winterized properly.
4. Schedule a Professional Winterization Service
Winterizing your sprinkler system is a vital part of fall lawn care, but it’s not always easy to do on your own. A professional service like Automatic Rain can handle the entire process for you, ensuring that your sprinkler system is protected throughout the winter. This not only saves you time but also provides peace of mind knowing that your system is safe from winter damage.
5. Prepare Your Lawn for the Winter
While preparing your sprinkler system, don’t forget about your lawn! Applying fall fertilizer, aerating the soil, and raking up leaves are all essential to keeping your grass healthy through the winter. This ensures your lawn will be ready to thrive again in the spring when it’s time to turn your sprinklers back on.
Need Help?:
Get your sprinkler system ready for the St. Louis winter with help from Automatic Rain! Whether you need a full winterization service or a system inspection, our expert team is here to make sure your sprinklers are protected. Contact us today to schedule your fall sprinkler system maintenance and enjoy peace of mind all winter long!