Freezes in central and south Texas rarely (if ever) cause the ground to freeze and damage underground pipes. But exposed pipes are vulnerable to extreme cold.
Over the past few weeks we’ve seen the first significant cool weather in Bexar County — and with it many inquiries and concerns about irrigation systems. Most of the questions have come from newcomers to San Antonio who haven’t yet adapted to our more temperate climate.
San Antonio transplants who lived far north of Texas where prolonged periods of freezing cold weather causes the ground to freeze know first-hand the catastrophic impact frozen ground can have on underground water pipes — including those used by irrigation systems.
Luckily, freezes in central and south Texas are far less severe and rarely (if ever) cause the ground to freeze. Still, freezes can be damaging to any exposed pipes and valves.
That’s why it’s a good idea to walk your property and inspect your irrigation system before freezing weather sets in. Sometimes erosion can cause irrigation pipes to become visible, making them susceptible to potential freezing and cracking.
Sprinkler heads are typically not sealed and won’t have pressurized water sitting in them so there’s no need to worry about those, but look for exposed sections of pressurized pipe that may need to be covered or protected. Also, check for any open, broken or missing lids on irrigation valves that need to be replaced or repaired.
The ground does a good job of insulating pipes and valves, but once a lid is removed or opened, cold air could creep into and around those pipes and valves and cause big problems.
Also, if you have an above-ground reduced pressure zone backflow prevention device, it’s especially important to properly winterize, cover and insulate the pipes and apparatus itself to avoid any damage from freezing weather.
Of course, while this information only covers irrigation components, it’s equally important to winterize other outdoor pipes, hose bibs and sensitive plants too.
And last, but definitely not least, installing a water flow sensor can help you detect and correct leaks before they become huge water (and financial) losses.
