Sprinkler winterization in Linden, MIBlown dry before the hard freeze.
Linden's first hard freeze of fall averages around October 27, and one year in ten it arrives before October 10. Misty's clears every zone with compressed air, then drains the backflow device and anything else that sits above ground.
- 5.0 on Google, 40 reviews
- Zone by zone blowout
- Backflow device drained
- Licensed and insured
Illustration
The local freeze record
When Linden actually freezes.
NOAA keeps a weather station at the Linden wastewater plant, and its 1991 to 2020 normals give a clear fall calendar. A light frost does no harm to pipe under the turf. A hard freeze is what cracks things, and it starts with whatever is above ground.
First frost, mid October
The first 32 degree night comes around October 12 in a typical year, and one year in ten before September 30. That frost browns tender plants but rarely touches buried lines. Treat it as the reminder to get on the blowout list.
First hard freeze, late October
The first 28 degree night averages around October 27, and nine years in ten it has come by November 9. That is the date to beat, so late September through October is the window to book here.
The backflow device goes first
The pressure vacuum breaker stands on a pipe beside the house with nothing around it but air, so it freezes long before anything buried does. Draining it and leaving its valves set right is part of every blowout. A cracked one turns into a repair in spring.
Wells and lakes add steps
Most of Argentine Township relies on private wells, and some lake lots around town water straight from the lake. On a well we shut and drain only the irrigation branch. On a lake system the pump and suction line get emptied too.
What you get
A fall blowout, zone by zone.
Every blowout follows the same order, so the water comes out of every part that can crack and the backflow device is left ready for winter.
- Water shut off
The irrigation shutoff closed and its drain opened, so the supply line empties.
- Air in below the backflow
The compressor connected past the backflow device, never through it.
- Every zone cleared
Each zone blown out through its heads until it goes from water to mist to dry air.
- No zone run dry
Air set for the pipe in the ground, and no zone left blowing once it is clear.
- Backflow device drained
Test cocks opened and ball valves left half open, so no water is trapped inside.
- Controller off
Switched off for the winter, with anything we noticed noted for the spring startup.
Try it
Blow it out, then let winter come.
Run the blowout zone by zone, then drag the season forward. Skip it and see what the frost does to water left in the lines.
Water is sitting in every pipe, the way it is all summer. Blow it out, or skip it, then drag winter in.
In Linden
How a Linden blowout goes.
Book in September for a spot in October. Tell us where the irrigation shutoff is, usually in the basement where the line leaves the house, and where the blowout fitting sits outside. If you are not sure where either one is, we will track them down.
On the day we close the water to the system, hook up the compressor and push air through one zone at a time until the heads spit mist and then nothing. Then we drain the backflow device, set the controller to off, and tell you about anything worth fixing at spring startup.
- First 32 degree night
- Around October 12 (NOAA, Linden station)
- First 28 degree night
- Around October 27
- Time to book
- September, for an October blowout
- Drive from Fenton
- About 10 minutes
5.0
From 40 reviews on Google.
What people mention most
- Promptness6
- Reasonable pricing5
- Sprinkler repair3
- Winterization3
- Leak repair2
- Hardworking staff2
Misty’s Irrigation came out to repair and inspect our lawn irrigation system and did a great job. Very knowledgeable, professional, and just great people to work with. It’s always nice being able to support a local Fenton business, especially when they provide this kind of service. Highly recommend!
Misty’s did some repair work at a fair price. Staff was very pleasant, on time and cleaned up well in addition to excellent communication. Will use them in the future for any sprinkler system needs without it a doubt!
Questions
What people ask about winterization in Linden.
If yours is not here, call or text (810) 423-9513.
When should I schedule a sprinkler blowout in Linden?
Late September through October. Misty's works through that window to get systems clear before the first hard freeze, which averages around October 27 at the Linden weather station. One year in ten it arrives before October 10, so earlier is safer than later.
Is draining the system enough, or does it really need air?
A buried system has dips, low spots and heads where water sits after the valves are opened. Lateral pipes usually run only 6 to 12 inches down, well within reach of a Michigan freeze. Compressed air pushes that leftover water out one zone at a time. Skip it, and a cracked line or head shows up in spring as a geyser.
We already had a frost. Is it too late?
Usually not. A light frost does little to pipe under the turf. A string of hard freezes is what does the damage, and it starts with the backflow device above ground. If a hard freeze is forecast before we can get there, shut the water to the system at the house and text us.
My sprinklers run off a well. What is different?
The well also supplies the house, so we close and drain only the irrigation branch and leave the house water alone. If the line has a Rid-O-Rust treatment system, mention it when you book so we plan for it at shutdown.
Do you winterize lake pump systems too?
Yes. A lake system holds water in the pump and the suction line as well as the zones. We blow the zones out, then drain the pump and intake line so nothing freezes inside them. More on lake pump irrigation around Linden.
More in Linden
Book service
Book winterization in Linden.
Send it here or call. We will call back, ask a couple of questions so the right parts are on the truck, and give you a time.
- A real person calls you back. Promptness is what reviewers mention most.
- Fair, clear pricing. That is the second thing they mention.
- Licensed and insured, family run out of Fenton.