Hudson Irrigation & Lighting · Metro Vancouver
Irrigation
Irrigation
Winterization
Don't let a BC winter destroy your irrigation system. We blow out all lines before the first freeze — fast, professional, and guaranteed to protect your investment.
500+
Systems Protected
15+
Years Experience
100%
Guaranteed
Same-Week Booking
We schedule fast before the first frost hits
Guaranteed Protection
All lines cleared — backed by our service warranty
Hunter Certified
Hydrawise & irrigation system specialists
Upfront Pricing
No surprises — flat rate based on zone count
Nov 1
Recommended
Deadline
Deadline
Why It Matters
Water Expands When It Freezes
When temperatures drop below 0°C, any water left in your irrigation pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads can freeze and expand — cracking pipes, splitting fittings, and destroying backflow preventers. A single freeze event can cause thousands of dollars in damage.
Winterization removes all the water from your system using compressed air — leaving nothing behind to freeze. It takes under an hour and costs a fraction of what repairs would.
- Blow out all zones with commercial-grade compressor
- Purge lateral lines, manifolds, and heads
- Shut down and drain backflow preventer
- Turn off and drain mainline supply
- Set controller to rain/off mode for winter
- Insulate exposed components where needed
- Service report left with homeowner
What Can Go Wrong
The Cost of Skipping Winterization
A single night below freezing can cause any of these — all preventable with a $100–$175 blowout.
Cracked Pipes & Fittings
Water expands 9% when frozen. Poly and PVC pipes crack under that pressure, requiring excavation and replacement of entire pipe runs.
Repair cost: $300 – $1,200+
Shattered Sprinkler Heads
Sprinkler bodies and nozzles crack in freezing temperatures. Individual heads seem cheap to replace — but you may have dozens needing replacement across all zones.
Repair cost: $150 – $600+
Backflow Preventer Damage
The backflow preventer is the most vulnerable and most expensive component. Freeze damage splits the brass body and internals — requiring full replacement and recertification.
Repair cost: $400 – $900+
Valve & Solenoid Failure
Zone valves contain internal diaphragms and ports that freeze and crack. Replacing a valve manifold requires excavating the valve box and reprogramming your controller.
Repair cost: $200 – $500+
Spring Water Waste
Undetected freeze damage causes leaks that can run for weeks before you notice. A single cracked pipe can waste thousands of litres and spike your water bill significantly.
Water bill impact: $200 – $800+
Delayed Spring Startup
Freeze damage often isn't discovered until your spring startup. Waiting for repairs means your lawn and garden go unwatered during critical spring growing weeks.
Plant loss + emergency rates apply
Don't Wait Until The First Frost
Metro Vancouver typically sees overnight freezing temperatures starting in late October. Once the ground freezes, damage can happen in a single night. We recommend booking your blowout by October 15 — our schedule fills fast in fall.
Book Before It's Too Late →
Our Service
What's Included In Every Blowout
Every winterization we perform follows a complete 10-point process — not just blowing air through the lines.
Zone-by-Zone Air Blowout
We cycle through every zone individually with a commercial-grade compressor, ensuring complete water removal from all laterals and heads.
Backflow Preventer Shutdown
We properly shut off, drain, and protect your backflow preventer — the most expensive component to replace if freeze-damaged.
Mainline Drain & Shutoff
We locate and shut off the main irrigation supply valve and drain the mainline to prevent pressure buildup over winter.
Controller Set to Off / Rain Mode
Your controller is properly set to the off or rain mode — preventing accidental zone activation during winter that could push water back into lines.
Valve & Head Inspection
We visually inspect all accessible valve boxes, sprinkler heads, and exposed fittings for any pre-existing damage before winter sets in.
Service Report & Recommendations
We leave you with a written report of zones serviced, any issues found, and recommendations for spring startup — no surprises next season.
The Process
How Winterization Works
A typical residential blowout takes 30–60 minutes from start to finish.
1
Shut Off Supply
We locate and shut off the main irrigation water supply valve and depressurize the mainline before connecting the compressor.
2
Connect Compressor
Our commercial compressor is connected to the system — sized correctly for your pipe diameter and zone count to ensure safe, effective blowout.
3
Blow Each Zone
We activate each zone individually from the controller, cycling air through until no water exits the heads — typically 2–3 passes per zone.
4
Secure & Report
Backflow preventer is drained and shut off, controller set to off mode, and we leave you with a written service report for your records.
Common Questions
Winterization FAQ
Everything you need to know about protecting your irrigation system for winter.
When should I book my winterization?
We recommend booking by October 1st to guarantee availability before the first frost. Metro Vancouver typically sees overnight freezing from late October onwards. Our schedule fills quickly in September and October — don't leave it too late.
Do I need to be home during the blowout?
You do not need to be home in most cases, as long as we have access to your irrigation controller, the main shutoff valve, and your backflow preventer. We'll leave a service report in your mailbox or send it by email. Please ensure pets are secured and gates are unlocked.
Can I do the winterization myself?
Technically yes, but it carries significant risk. Using the wrong compressor (too small or too large) can damage heads and fittings. Improper technique can leave water pockets that freeze and crack pipes. Most DIY winterization attempts result in at least one zone failure. Professional blowout is far cheaper than one repair call.
How long does a blowout take?
Most residential systems with 6–12 zones take 30–45 minutes. Larger systems or those with complex layouts may take 60–75 minutes. We cycle through each zone 2–3 times to ensure complete water evacuation before moving on.
What happens if I skip winterization and get freeze damage?
Freeze damage is typically discovered at spring startup. At that point we'll need to diagnose and repair all affected components — cracked pipes, broken heads, damaged valves, and potentially your backflow preventer. Total repair costs typically range from $300 to $2,000+ depending on severity. The good news: we can handle all of it at our standard repair rates.
Do you also offer spring startup after winterization?
Yes — customers who book both winterization and spring startup with us receive a preferred scheduling window and a discount on the spring visit. We'll contact you in March to schedule your startup before the busy spring season begins.
Book Your Winterization Today
Don't risk thousands in freeze damage. Our schedule fills fast in October — secure your spot now and protect your system all winter.