Irrigation winterisation is the process of shutting down and protecting the system before freezing winter temperatures. It begins by shutting off the water supply to the system and draining the pipework. Lines are blown out with compressed air where appropriate, or drained through low-point valves, so that no water remains to freeze and crack the pipe. Above-ground pipework is lagged or drained, pumps are drained or protected with antifreeze where specified, and the controller is set to off or a winter mode. Valve boxes are inspected for standing water. A properly winterised system survives sub-zero temperatures without damage and can be reactivated cleanly in spring. We recommend winterisation in late October or early November, before the first hard frost.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I winterise my irrigation system?
Late October or early November, before the first hard frost. We schedule autumn shutdowns across Surrey from mid-October.
What happens if I don't winterise my system?
Water left in the pipework can freeze and crack the pipe, split valves and damage pumps. The cost of a spring repair usually exceeds the cost of winterisation.