How much does it cost to winterize sprinkler system?
How much does it cost to winterize sprinkler system?
$50 – $150 winterize cost for 12 zones (+$5 – $10 per extra zone)
$60 – $125 sprinkler spring startup cost
$140 – $400 winterize, tune-up, & spring startup plan cost
Winterize sprinkler system cost
Winterizing a sprinkler system costs $50 to $150 on average to blowout or drain up to 12 zones, plus $5 to $10 per additional zone. A sprinkler spring startup costs $60 to $125. Yearly maintenance plans for an irrigation system cost $150 to $400.
| National Average Cost | $2,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $600 |
| Maximum Cost | $4,000 |
| Average Range | $900 to $3,000 |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Sprinkler system winterization cost
Sprinkler winterization costs $50 to $150 on average, depending on the blowout method. Irrigation pros charge $50 to $100 per hour for extra work and repairs, while hiring a plumber costs $45 to $150 per hour.
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Winterization (blow out) | $50 – $150 |
| Winterization (draining) | $75 – $150 |
| Annual maintenance plan | $140 – $400 |
| Spring startup | $60 – $125 |
| Sprinkler system repairs | $75 – $250 |
| Sprinkler tune-up | $80 – $180 |
Cost to blow out a sprinkler system
A sprinkler blowout costs $50 to $150 on average for up to 12 zones, plus $5 to $10 per additional zone. Contractors use an air compressor rated at 80-100 CFM to remove all water from inside the pipes, control valves, and sprinkler heads.
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Standard service (6 – 12 zones) | $50 – $150 |
| Lake pump system | $100 – $170 |
| Each additional zone | $5 – $10 |
Manual and automatic sprinkler draining cost
Manual sprinkler draining costs $75 to $150 on average. No costs apply for automatic sprinkler drains that empty the lines every time the system turns off.
Most lawn care companies advise additional blowout winterization for all sprinkler systems as a final step after draining to ensure total water removal.
Sprinkler system plans for yearly maintenance cost
Annual sprinkler system maintenance plans cost $140 to $400 on average, depending on the system size and number of tune-ups included in the plan. Yearly maintenance plans include priority scheduling, discount repairs, extended warranties, free backflow testing, and lower service-call fees.
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Winterization + spring restart | $140 – $180 |
| Winterization + spring restart + 1 tune-up | $200 – $270 |
| Winterization + spring restart + multiple tune-ups | $350 – $400 |
*Prices for residential systems with 1 to 5 zones.
Irrigation and sprinkler spring startup costs
Sprinkler spring startup costs $60 to $125 on average, depending on the number of zones. Spring activation of a larger irrigation-pump system costs $60 to $85 extra, or some pros charge extra labor fees depending on the system size.
A sprinkler spring startup includes:
Turning on the water supply
Checking the backflow and piping for leaks before gradually increasing the water pressure
Inspecting heads for winter damage and grass overgrowth
Adjusting the timer and sprinklers for efficient watering
Testing that all zone connections work
Sprinkler system repair
Restarting sprinklers may reveal winter damage. Sprinkler system repair costs $100 to $400 on average. Prices increase for replacing multiple electrical parts and nozzles.
Common repair costs include:
Sprinkler head replacement costs $65 to $90.
Sprinkler valve replacement costs $65 to $290.
Electrical control replacements cost $100 to $250.
Replacing a leaking PVC pipe costs $1 to $3 per linear foot.
Lawn sprinkler maintenance and tune-up costs
Lawn sprinkler maintenance costs $80 to $180 on average for a general inspection, testing, cleaning the system, and minor repairs.
Extra lawn services include:
Lawn aeration costs $75 to $250 to create small holes in the soil that helps grass grow better. Aerating the lawn is best 2 to 3 weeks before winterizing sprinklers.
Sod installation costs $0.90 to $2.80 per square foot. Sod replacement is necessary after sprinkler-line repairs with lots of trenching.
Overseeding a lawn costs $0.04 to $0.18 cost per square foot and fixes bare patches, thickens the grass, and improves its appearance and health.
Annual sprinkler backflow testing costs $60 to $150 when required by the local water company.
Irrigation winterization FAQs
When to winterize a sprinkler system
Winterizing a sprinkler system between August and November before the first big freeze of the year is the best way to avoid damage.
When to open and de-winterize a sprinkler system
Opening and de-winterizing a sprinkler system is weather-dependent. The first irrigating of the year should start after all risk of frost has passed in the spring. Water freezing inside the lines from de-winterizing too early causes many damages.
Check the frost dates online and confirm them with local, updated weather forecasts.
How do I winterize a sprinkler system myself?
Winterizing a sprinkler system yourself requires an air compressor, air hose, blowout fitting or adapter, safety glasses, and a water shut-off key.
Steps to winterizing a sprinkler system yourself include:
Shut off water supply to the system.
Drain the backflow valve / backflow preventer (if there is one). Then close it.
Connect the air compressor hose to the irrigation system.
Blow the compressed air through each zone to remove water from each line.
Seal all open water lines to prevent debris from getting inside.
Shut off the sprinkler controller.
Always call a professional if you are unsure if your system can handle high air pressure inside the lines or if you’ve never worked with compressed air before. Some systems cannot handle blow-out winterizing.
What happens if I don't winterize my sprinkler system?
If you don’t winterize your sprinkler system, water might freeze, expand, and break the system components. Replacing a sprinkler system costs $1,800 to $5,200 on average, plus $50 to $100 per hour for removing the old system first.
Failure to winterize can cause sprinkler systems to break during non-winter months.
Getting estimates from sprinkler and irrigation services
When getting estimates from sprinkler repair services near you, remember to:
Get at least 3 estimates to compare prices and services.
Look for licensed, insured, and bonded irrigation professionals.
Ask for plumbing, irrigation, or landscaping credentials required in some states.
Don’t sacrifice quality by automatically choosing the lowest estimate.
Ask to see a portfolio or references to prove their years of experience.
Read their online reviews from places such as Google and HomeGuide.
Avoid paying in full until the project is complete.
Questions to ask
How long have you been in business?
Have you worked on my brand of sprinkler system before?
If sprinkler lines connect in my basement, will you drain the basement pipes too?
Can you make repairs, or do you only do blowouts?
Do you offer a parts or labor warranty?
How many people will be working on my irrigation system?
Does my estimate cover all materials, labor, and call-out fees?
What are other possible additional expenses?
Do you price per zone or per total yard area?
How long will it take to winterize my sprinkler system?
Do you recommend additional repairs or services?