If you live in Colorado Springs and you want your sprinkler system to survive winter, then yes, you almost always need a sprinkler blowout before the first hard freeze. A proper sprinkler blowout Colorado Springs clears water from the lines so they do not crack when temperatures drop. It sounds like one more thing on your already full list, but it can save you a lot of money, stress, and time in spring.
You do not have to become a sprinkler expert, though. You just need to understand the basics, decide whether to hire someone or do it yourself, and know the right timing for our local weather.
For anyone who is balancing work, family, school drop offs, maybe caring for parents, and trying to remember if the dog has had dinner yet, the goal here is simple: make sprinkler blowout one of those things that feels handled, not hanging over your head.
What a sprinkler blowout actually is
A blowout is just using compressed air to push water out of your sprinkler system.
Water sits in:
- Underground pipes
- Sprinkler heads
- Valves and backflow device
When that water freezes, it expands. The pressure from that expansion can crack pipes, damage valves, or ruin the backflow.
A blowout removes most of that water so there is enough empty space for any leftover drops to freeze without breaking things.
Think of a sprinkler blowout as paying a smaller bill now so you do not face a surprise, larger bill in spring.
If you ignore it one year, you might get lucky. But in Colorado Springs, we usually get at least a few deep freezes. So luck is not a reliable plan.
Is a sprinkler blowout really necessary in Colorado Springs?
Short answer: yes, if you have an underground sprinkler system and you are inside the city or close by.
Colorado Springs has:
- Cold nights that dip below freezing quickly
- Temperature swings that trick you into thinking winter is taking a break
- Dry air that hides ice damage until spring
We might have a sunny 60 degree afternoon, then a hard freeze that night. The ground cools much slower than air, but shallow lines and backflow devices are vulnerable.
You can skip a blowout only if:
- You do not have an irrigation system at all, or
- Your system is fully drained by design, which is rare here
Most residential systems in Colorado Springs use blowout as the normal winter prep.
If you are not sure whether your system needs a blowout, assume it does until a local pro confirms otherwise.
When to schedule a sprinkler blowout in Colorado Springs
This part gets a bit tricky because the weather is not predictable.
General timing
Most homeowners aim for:
- Last week of September through late October
You want it:
- After you are done using sprinklers for the year
- Before the first hard freeze that stays below 32°F for many hours
We often see early cold snaps. One year feels forgiving, the next is not. So waiting until “the last nice weekend” can be risky.
Practical approach for busy women
If you are juggling a million tasks, you probably do not want to track the 10 day forecast every morning.
This might work better:
- Set a reminder on your phone for early September to book an appointment
- Choose a company, schedule, and then cross it off your list
- Plan to water with hoses if we get an unusually warm stretch after your blowout
You might feel a bit frustrated if November is warm. But that feeling is still better than dealing with cracked pipes in April.
How a sprinkler blowout works, step by step
You do not need to perform these steps yourself, but understanding them helps you talk with your contractor and not feel talked down to.
1. Turn off the water supply
Somewhere in your basement, crawl space, or mechanical room, there is a shutoff valve that controls water going to the sprinkler system.
The tech (or you, if you do it) closes that valve so no new water enters.
Then they might:
- Open a small drain valve if one exists
- Open test cocks on the backflow to let air in
This removes pressure from the system.
2. Connect the air compressor
The compressor connects at an access point near the main line or the backflow. It pushes air into the system at a controlled pressure.
For most residential systems:
- 40 to 60 PSI is common
Too much pressure can damage parts. This is one of the main reasons many people prefer to hire someone who has the right compressor and knows when to stop.
3. Run each zone
The tech uses the sprinkler controller to:
- Turn on one zone at a time
- Let air push water out of the heads
- Wait until the spray turns misty and then mostly air
- Move to the next zone
They might cycle through zones more than once, especially on longer or deeper lines.
It is normal to see:
- Water spraying at first
- Then choppy spray
- Then a haze of mist
- Then just air and a bit of spitting
4. Clear the backflow
The backflow preventer, usually near the house, must be drained carefully. The tech will:
- Use air to push water out
- Open the test cocks
- Leave handles slightly open for winter, depending on the device
This part matters because backflow repairs can be expensive.
5. Shut down the controller
They might:
- Turn the controller to “Off” or “Rain” mode
- Or unplug it, depending on the model
Some people like to leave it plugged in so programming stays saved. Others do not care and reprogram in spring. Both are fine.
If your contractor rushes and the blowout on each zone lasts only a few seconds, that is a red flag. It takes a bit of time for water to clear.
DIY vs hiring someone: which is better if you are busy?
You are not wrong if you think you could probably do this yourself. The steps are not magic.
But there are tradeoffs.
What DIY requires
Here is what you realistically need:
- Access to an air compressor with enough volume
- The right fittings to connect to your sprinkler line
- Comfort working with valves, backflow, and the controller
- About an hour, maybe more the first time
- Willingness to stand outside in the cold while zones blow out
If you already use a compressor for other projects, DIY might feel reasonable.
If not, renting is an option, but then you have one more errand and another learning curve.
Why many women prefer to hire a pro
It is not just about skill. It is about mental load. There is only so much you can keep track of.
Hiring a company:
- Removes guessing on timing
- Reduces risk of over pressurizing lines
- Often includes a quick system check
- Lets you schedule around work, pickup lines, and everything else
You still need to:
- Be home or arrange access if needed
- Confirm they shut off the water and handled the backflow
But you do not have to watch pressure gauges or rent anything.
If budget is tight, you might do a mix. For example:
- Hire a pro one year to watch and learn
- Decide later if you want to do it yourself another year
What can go wrong if you skip a blowout?
Not to scare you, just to be honest. The risks are real, but they are not mysterious.
Common damage from frozen sprinkler systems
Here are some typical issues when water is left in the system through winter:
| Part | What can happen | What you might notice in spring |
|---|---|---|
| Pipes | Cracks or bursts from expanding ice | Mushy or flooded areas in the yard, weak pressure, or zones that will not run |
| Sprinkler heads | Cracked cases or broken internal parts | Leaking heads, weak spray, or heads that do not pop up |
| Valves | Cracked bodies or stuck parts | Zones that will not turn on or stay running. |
| Backflow preventer | Cracked body or broken internal check valves | Visible leaks near the house, water spraying from the backflow, or no water reaching the system |
Sometimes damage is subtle. You may not notice until the first warm day when you test the system and see puddles or very odd behavior.
Money and time costs
Repairs can range widely, of course. Rough ranges in Colorado Springs tend to look like this:
| Issue | Approximate cost range |
|---|---|
| Single broken sprinkler head | $40 to $80 |
| Leaking or cracked pipe section | $120 to $400, depending on location and depth |
| Damaged valve | $150 to $300 |
| Backflow replacement | $350 to $800 or more |
Compared to a typical blowout fee per season, usually the blowout is far less.
So if your schedule is full, and your patience is a bit thin by fall, paying for blowout can be a way of buying both protection and fewer spring surprises.
Signs your last blowout was not done well
You trusted someone to handle it, but you still feel wary. That is reasonable.
Here are some warning signs the job was rushed or incomplete:
- The tech was at your house for less than 10 or 15 minutes for a larger system
- You never saw any misty spray or air coming out of heads
- They did not touch or inspect the backflow area
- No one turned off the water supply inside the house
Next spring, if you see:
- Several heads cracked in different zones
- Leaks near the backflow
- Odd pressure in multiple zones
Then last year’s blowout was probably not great.
You can ask the company:
- What pressure they use
- How long they spend on each zone
- How they handle the backflow
Good ones will answer plainly, not dodge or use complicated language to confuse you.
How sprinkler blowout fits with the rest of your winter prep
Most women I talk to already have some personal “winter checklist” in their heads.
Things like:
- Switching kids to warmer clothes
- Bringing in patio furniture cushions
- Swapping to snow tires or at least checking them
- Scheduling furnace checks
Sprinkler blowout can sit on that same list, not as one more overwhelming item but just another box to check.
One way to make it less stressful:
- Pick one weekend in fall that is “house reset weekend”
- On that weekend, you handle sprinklers, hoses, outside faucets, and any outdoor toys or furniture
If you split tasks with a partner or roommate, you can each own certain pieces.
Maybe you handle calling the sprinkler company, and they handle bringing in hoses and storing yard tools. Being clear about who owns what helps avoid the last minute “I thought you were doing that” conversations.
Quick checklist for Colorado Springs sprinkler winterization
You do not need a large list to hang on the fridge. Just a tight set of steps helps you feel calm.
Before the appointment
- Know where your sprinkler shutoff valve is inside the house
- Clear clutter near the backflow and main lines
- Make sure pets are secured if they get nervous with visitors
- Have your controller manual nearby if it is older or complicated
During or right after the blowout
- Confirm the indoor shutoff valve is turned off
- Check that the backflow area was drained and left in a winter position
- Set the controller to off or rain mode
Extra touches you can do yourself
Even if someone else does the blowout, you can add:
- Packing foam or an insulated cover around the backflow if it sits above ground
- Simple faucet covers on exterior hose bibs
- A quick note somewhere of who did the blowout and on what date
That last part seems minor, but it helps if there is a problem next spring.
What about new sprinkler systems or repairs?
If you have been thinking about changes to your yard, or if your system is already old, blowout timing affects that as well.
New installations close to winter
Sometimes yard projects run late. You might get a new system installed in late summer or fall.
If that happens:
- Ask the installer to schedule blowout in the same conversation
- Get a written note about who is responsible if freeze damage occurs in the first winter
Some installers include the first year blowout in the install cost. Some do not.
Repairs you notice in fall
If a zone is acting strange in September, you have two options:
- Fix it right away and then schedule blowout
- Shut that zone off, get blowout for the rest of the system, and fix in spring
Personally, I like to fix leaks before winter when possible, because water sitting in damaged areas can freeze in odd ways. But if budget is tight at the end of the year, you may choose to wait. You just have to remember to address it when the ground thaws.
Choosing a sprinkler company in Colorado Springs without losing your whole evening researching
You do not need to read every review on the internet. But you also do not have to call the first name you see on a yard sign.
Here are a few grounded things to look at.
Questions to ask
- How long have you been working in Colorado Springs or nearby areas?
- What type of compressor do you use, and what pressure do you normally use on residential systems?
- Does the blowout price include the backflow, or is that extra?
- What happens if something is damaged during the blowout?
If someone cannot or will not answer these in plain language, that is a bad sign.
Signs they respect your time
Look for companies that:
- Give you a real window of time, not “sometime that day”
- Offer text updates or quick calls if they are running behind
- Tell you about pricing upfront without hidden fees
Small courtesies matter when your day is packed. It is not about perfection, but a basic level of respect.
Managing outdoor chores with kids, parents, or roommates around
Sprinkler blowout is not the main event of your fall. It often happens while you manage five other things.
Here are a few practical ideas:
- If you work from home, pick a time when you do not have back to back meetings.
- If you are a caregiver, let the person you care for know someone will be coming, so it does not feel like a surprise.
- If your kids are nervous about loud sounds, explain that the noise is just air blowing water out of the ground.
You can even make it a small teaching moment. If a child is curious, you can show them a sprinkler head while it runs misty air. It sounds minor, but sometimes turning chores into small “look what this does” moments makes the day feel less like pure work.
Frequently asked questions about sprinkler blowout in Colorado Springs
What happens if I forget and it already froze?
If you miss the perfect window and a hard freeze has already happened, all is not lost.
You can:
- Schedule a blowout as soon as possible afterward
- Hope that damage, if any, is limited
Ice forms and melts in cycles. Sometimes one freeze does nothing noticeable, especially if the ground is still warm.
Still, once you remember, act quickly. Do not write off the whole season.
Can I just drain the system without using air?
Some systems have drain valves. Opening those helps, but it rarely removes all the water.
Low spots in lines hold water that gravity alone does not clear.
Plain draining is better than nothing, but in Colorado Springs, most systems still benefit from a true blowout with air.
Is it safe to use my home air compressor?
It depends on the compressor size and how careful you are with pressure.
Smaller home compressors often cannot move enough air volume to push water from long lines. People compensate by cranking pressure higher, which is risky.
If you use a home compressor:
- Keep PSI within what your system parts can handle, usually under 60 PSI
- Accept that you might not clear every line as well as a larger unit would
For most busy homeowners, hiring someone with the right tool is easier and safer.
What if I want to reduce lawn watering overall but still keep the system?
You can:
- Reduce watering days in summer
- Cap heads in low priority areas
- Convert some zones to drip for plants and beds
But you still need blowout if water remains in any underground lines that are connected to the system.
If you truly decide to abandon the sprinkler system long term, you can have it capped and disconnected, but that is a separate project.
How long does a sprinkler blowout usually take?
For most typical Colorado Springs yards:
- 20 to 45 minutes is common
Very large or complex systems might take longer.
If someone is done in 5 or 10 minutes and you have many zones, it is fair to question the quality of the work.
Is there anything I should do right after the blowout?
Yes, a few simple checks:
- Walk the yard quickly and see if any heads are stuck up or still trickling water
- Peek at the backflow and confirm it is not leaking
- Check that your indoor shutoff valve is firmly closed
If you see anything that feels off, call the company back while the visit is still fresh in their system records.
What if I travel a lot in fall and cannot be home?
You can:
- Schedule during a time a partner, roommate, or trusted neighbor is home
- Give clear instructions about where the shutoff is
- Ask for photos afterward of the backflow and shutoff for your peace of mind
Some companies can shut off from outside if your setup allows it. Ask in advance so you are not scrambling from an airport.
Is it bad to blow out too early?
The only real drawback to an early blowout is:
- You might need to hand water with hoses if we get a dry warm spell afterward
From a system safety view, early is fine. From a lawn care view, it means a small bit more manual watering. For many busy women, trading extra hose time for peace of mind about freeze damage feels acceptable.
If you think of one more question about sprinkler blowout later, what would it be?