Most people winterize their homes but forget about irrigation systems. When water freezes in pipes, it expands enough to crack PVC, split lines, and damage back flow preventers. Spring comes, those cracks turn into ruptures that flood your yard and waste thousands of gallons.
Why Systems Freeze
Show Low gets hard freezes from November through March, sometimes hitting single digits. PVC pipes get brittle in the cold. Expanding ice creates pressure the walls can’t handle.
Backflow preventers sit above ground, totally exposed. Water freezes in their chambers and cracks the housing.
What Happens
Water stays in pipes after your last fall watering. Ice forms in exposed areas first, then deeper. It expands and creates cracks or splits pipes completely.
Turn the system on in spring and water rushes through those cracks. What should water your lawn floods your yard and spikes your water bill.
Prevention
Blow out your system with compressed air. This is the most important step. Pros use compressors to force every bit of water out. DIY draining doesn’t work because it can’t remove water from low spots.
Insulate your backflow preventer. Use outdoor insulation or a cover bag.
Drain valve boxes manually with a rag after blowout.
Shut off water supply to your irrigation system.
Protect above-ground components with mulch.
Signs of Damage
Water pooling in weird spots means you’ve got a leak.
Reduced pressure at sprinkler heads means water’s escaping through cracks.
Heads that won’t pop up have damaged seals.
Visible cracks in backflow housing need immediate replacement.
Water running when the system is off means damaged valves.
High water bills without increased usage means hidden leaks.
When It Damages Your Home
Ruptured lines can direct water toward your foundation, into crawl spaces, or under slabs. Water under your home causes foundation settlement, mold, and damage to floor joists.
RestorePro has worked with plenty of Show Low homeowners dealing with this.
Our Approach
We use moisture detection to find hidden water. We extract standing water and bring in industrial dehumidifiers for complete drying at high elevation.
We handle structural repairs too, from insulation to floor systems.
Make It a Habit
If you’re away during winter, have someone check for leaks.
RestorePro serves Show Low, Snowflake, Payson, Winslow, and the White Mountains with 24/7 emergency response.