Sprinkler Winterization & Blowouts in East Tennessee
A sprinkler system left full of water over winter is a system waiting to crack. Chris clears every pipe, fitting, and backflow device with compressed air before the first hard freeze, then shuts the system down so nothing holds water through the cold months. You get on the fall list early so the blowout happens before the ground freezes — and you deal directly with the person doing the work.
Get on the fall blowout list before the first hard freeze.
Call or Text (865) 806-4619Why winterization is worth doing right
The blowout, step by step
Why East Tennessee hard freezes crack pipes and fittings
Water left inside the system over winter is the problem. When it freezes, it expands — and that expansion cracks poly pipe, splits brass fittings, and shatters the backflow preventer's brass body. A fitting that was perfectly fine in October is a fountain in March if it was left full of water. The mountains mean cold air settles into the hollows and valleys around Kodak and Sevierville before the city thermometers show it, so a hard freeze can arrive sooner than the forecast suggests.
Clearing the lines with compressed air
Chris connects a high-volume air compressor and runs each zone in turn so the air pushes every drop of water out through the heads. He works zone by zone, watching that each head runs dry air instead of mist, so no water is left pooled in a low spot or trapped in a valve body. A small shop compressor cannot move enough volume to do this — it takes a real compressor sized for the system.
Shutting down and protecting the backflow device
The backflow preventer is the part most likely to crack if it is left full, and it is also the part that protects your drinking water. Chris drains it, opens the test cocks, and sets the shutoff valves so nothing holds water through the winter. That protects both the part and your water supply.
Getting on the fall list before the first hard freeze
The fall schedule fills up fast once the nights start dropping toward freezing. Getting on the list early means your blowout happens before the first real cold snap, not after. Chris works through the list by neighborhood so the whole route gets done before the ground freezes.
The damage from a skipped winterization shows up in the spring, not the winter. A cracked fitting underground is a leak you cannot see until the water bill arrives, and a split backflow body means no water to the system at all. The blowout is cheap insurance against a repair that costs many times more. If you also want a spring start-up and mid-season check bundled in, see the irrigation maintenance page.
Winterization questions
Why do I need to winterize my sprinkler system in East Tennessee?
Water left inside the pipes, fittings, and backflow device freezes and expands during a hard freeze, which cracks plastic and brass parts. A blowout clears the water so nothing is left to freeze.
How does a sprinkler blowout work?
Chris connects a high-volume air compressor to the system and runs each zone in turn so compressed air pushes all the water out through the heads. He then shuts down and protects the backflow device.
When should I schedule a fall blowout in East Tennessee?
Before the first hard freeze. Across Sevier and Knox County that usually means getting on the fall schedule in early to mid autumn. Call or text (865) 806-4619 to get on the list before the calendar fills.
Can I winterize my sprinklers myself with a small air compressor?
A small compressor usually cannot move enough volume to push the water out before the air pressure drops, and too much pressure can damage heads. Chris uses a high-volume compressor sized for the job.
What gets protected during winterization?
Chris clears every pipe, fitting, and zone, then shuts down and protects the backflow device so no water sits in it over winter. That is the part most likely to crack if it is left full.
Do you do winter blowouts in Sevierville and Knoxville?
Yes. A Drip Sprinklers winterizes irrigation systems across Sevier, Knox, Jefferson, Blount, and Hamblen counties from our base in Kodak. Call or text (865) 806-4619 to get on the fall list.
Where Chris does winter blowouts
Based in Kodak, TN, Chris winterizes irrigation systems across Sevier, Knox, Jefferson, Blount and Hamblen counties. Pan and zoom to find your area.
Tell Chris What's Going On
Tell Chris about your yard or system and he will follow up with you directly.