What Happens If You Don't Winterize? Indy Jobs Reveal It

Keeping an irrigation system safe through our cold Indianapolis winters is something we deal with every single year. As an experienced irrigation services company with more than 30 years of service in the Central Indiana area, I’ve seen what freezing water can do to a sprinkler system when winterization is skipped.

Just last week in Noblesville, we installed a new backflow device because the old one cracked due to residual water. That repair could have been avoided with a simple seasonal service.

Below, I’ve answered the most frequently asked questions homeowners have about winterization, along with stories from what we observe in the field.

Why Does My Irrigation System Need Winterization?

Most folks don’t think about their sprinkler system once the leaves start falling, but water inside those lines doesn’t disappear automatically. When temps drop, it freezes, expands, and pushes hard enough to break nearly any component.

What Parts Break First?

Backflow device: This is usually the first part to burst because it sits above ground.
PVC lines: Frozen water spreads through the line and cracks long runs of pipe.
Sprinkler heads: Ice builds inside the body, jamming the spring and breaking the cap.

In one Fisher’s yard last winter, we replaced 11 heads because they froze solid. The homeowner told me, “It worked fine in October.” Sure did—right up until the first cold snap.

What Happens If I Skip Winterization?

Skipping winterization might feel like you’re saving time, but the repair bill in spring says otherwise.

What Damage Can Freezing Water Do?

High repair bills: When lines split underground, the repair isn’t a quick fix.
Soft, soggy lawn areas: Melted ice leaks into one spot and builds a mushy, uneven spot in the yard.
Low water pressure: Damage in the system slows water flow and hurts the sprinkler pattern.

We just repaired a system in Carmel where a single cracked line ran under a walkway. The homeowner had to remove the pavers, repair the pipe, and rebuild the path. A winterization would have saved the whole situation.

How Do We Winterize a Sprinkler System in the Indianapolis Area?

Winterization isn’t just blowing out the lines. Our service technicians follow a clear practice that works well for both residential and commercial irrigation systems.

What Does the Process Look Like?

Shut down the water: We turn off the supply so the system is safe to drain.
Air blowout: A technician connects a commercial air compressor to push water through every zone.
Check each component: Sprinkler heads, valves, backflow, and the controller get checked for safe shutdown.
Final safety steps: We leave the system in a secure state so nothing kicks on automatically.

Because we’re family-owned and operated, we take our time with each system. When we winterize a sprinkler system, we treat it like we installed the system ourselves. Many times, we actually did—some of our oldest irrigation installations in Greenwood and Franklin are still running well because maintenance has been steady.

We also help homeowners understand how freezing temperatures affect buried components, which we explain further in our guide on the risks cold weather poses to underground sprinkler pipes, heads, and valves in Indianapolis.

Will Winterization Help My Lawn and Landscape?

Many people think winterization is just a protection step, but it also helps with lawn care and the health of your landscape.

How Does It Help?

Proper lawn protection: A stable system keeps spring watering running smoothly.
Better water efficiency: Damage-free pipes move water evenly and efficiently when warm weather returns.
Cleaner startup in spring: You avoid muddy spots, low pressure, and surprise leaks.

Reliable irrigation makes a big difference in keeping grass thick and green. Even outdoor lighting and landscape lighting work better when yard areas stay dry and well-graded. Drainage, lighting solutions, and irrigation often connect more than people realize.

How Do I Know It’s Time to Schedule Winterization?

I always tell customers in the Indianapolis area to schedule before the first big freeze—usually late October or early November.

What Should I Look For?

Falling night temps: Once nights hit freezing, winterization becomes urgent.
Dry leaves and shorter days: These are signs that the season is shifting fast.
Busy contractor schedules: Many folks wait too long. Our schedule fills quickly.

If you’re not sure, give us a call. After 30 years of irrigation and lighting services, we can help you time it right.

Frequently Asked Questions About Irrigation Services

1. Do I need winterization every single year?

Yes. Freezing in Indianapolis can damage systems yearly, and winterization protects the pipes, heads, and backflow from cracking.

2. Can my system drain by itself without help?

No. Irrigation lines do not empty fully on their own, and leftover water freezes even in deep underground zones.

3. Should a technician winterize the system instead of me doing it myself?

Yes. A trained technician uses strong air equipment and knows how to protect each component safely.

Protect Your Irrigation Before Winter Hits

Winter here in Central Indiana can be rough on any outdoor system. A simple winterization keeps your irrigation system safe, cuts down on repair costs, and keeps your lawn irrigation ready for spring. If your sprinkler system hasn’t been serviced yet, now is the best time.

If you’re ready to get your system winterized or need a quote for irrigation services, contact Warweg & Co., Inc. at (317) 885-8983. We’re family-owned, reliable, licensed, and always happy with the service we provide.

Contact Information:

Warweg & Co., Inc.

3055 R J Pkwy Ste A
Franklin, IN 46131
United States

Chad Warweg
(317) 885-8983
https://wewatergrass.com/