When should I schedule sprinkler winterization in Connecticut?

Most companies recommend booking by mid-October and having the blowout done before the first hard freeze, typically by early-to-mid November depending on the year. Waiting too long risks frozen, cracked pipes.

Can I do a sprinkler blowout myself?

You need an air compressor with enough CFM output, which most homeowners don't have. Renting one is possible but many people find it's not worth the hassle compared to a scheduled seasonal visit.

What happens during a spring start-up visit?

A technician turns the water supply back on, runs each zone to check coverage and look for broken heads or leaks, and adjusts the timer settings for the season.

Sprinkler winterization and spring start-up service

In Connecticut's climate, an irrigation system needs two seasonal visits a year that are separate from any repair or new installation work: a fall winterization (blowing compressed air through the lines so nothing freezes and cracks) and a spring start-up (turning the water back on, checking zones, and fixing whatever the winter broke). These are routine, scheduled visits rather than repair calls, and a lot of homeowners book them as standing appointments with the same company every year.

Fall blowouts typically need to happen before the first hard freeze, which in Connecticut usually means booking sometime between mid-October and mid-November since companies get backed up as the weather turns. Spring start-ups usually run April through May, and that visit is when a technician runs each zone, checks for broken or clogged heads, and adjusts the controller for the new season.

If you skip winterization one year, cracked pipes and broken backflow preventers are common, so this is one of those maintenance items that's cheaper to keep current than to catch up on.

What it costs

Winterization and start-up visits are priced per visit and are far less expensive than repair work, since it's mostly labor and equipment time rather than parts. Systems with more zones take longer to blow out or test. Start-up visits sometimes cost a bit more if the technician finds and fixes minor issues like a cracked head or two while they're there, so ask whether small repairs are included or billed separately.

Top 3 by our score

Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for irrigation & sprinkler systems.

1. Lucky Lawn
4.8★ · 191 reviews

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2. Shannon Lawn & Landscaping Inc.
4.7★ · 113 reviews

87
3. Water Wise Lawn Solutions
5.0★ · 19 reviews

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FAQ

When should I schedule sprinkler winterization in Connecticut?: Most companies recommend booking by mid-October and having the blowout done before the first hard freeze, typically by early-to-mid November depending on the year. Waiting too long risks frozen, cracked pipes.
Can I do a sprinkler blowout myself?: You need an air compressor with enough CFM output, which most homeowners don't have. Renting one is possible but many people find it's not worth the hassle compared to a scheduled seasonal visit.
What happens during a spring start-up visit?: A technician turns the water supply back on, runs each zone to check coverage and look for broken heads or leaks, and adjusts the timer settings for the season.

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