Sprinkler Blowout Service in Colorado
Protect your irrigation investment from freeze damage. Professional compressed-air blowout removes all standing water from pipes, heads, valves, and backflow assemblies before Colorado's first hard freeze.
One Missed Blowout Can Cost Thousands
Water left in irrigation pipes, valves, and backflow assemblies expands when it freezes. In Colorado, where temperatures routinely drop below zero and stay there for days, that expansion cracks PVC mainlines, shatters valve bodies, and splits brass backflow assemblies. The damage doesn't reveal itself until spring activation -- by which time the repair bill can easily reach thousands of dollars.
A sprinkler blowout uses an industrial air compressor to push all standing water out of your irrigation system. Every zone is blown individually, forcing water out through each head until only dry air remains. This process must be done correctly -- too little pressure leaves residual water that freezes, while too much pressure damages poly pipe, diaphragm valves, and sensitive solenoids. The compressor must be properly sized for the system's pipe diameter and zone count.
JLS Landscape & Sprinkler has been winterizing irrigation systems in Douglas County since the 1970s. We use commercial-grade compressors rated for the volume and pressure needed to clear Colorado irrigation systems completely. Our technicians blow each zone until no water mist is visible from any head, then verify the mainline, backflow assembly, and all low points are clear. We also shut down the controller and insulate or drain the backflow preventer to protect exposed components.
Timing is critical: Douglas County properties above 6,000 feet should be winterized by mid-October. Denver Metro properties at lower elevations have until late October, but booking early is essential -- blowout schedules fill weeks in advance as the first freeze approaches. Call 303-791-9121 to reserve your spot.
How We Winterize Your System
JLS follows a thorough, methodical blowout process that protects every component of your irrigation system.
- Main water shutoff: Water supply isolated at the backflow preventer to prevent refilling during the blowout process
- Zone-by-zone blowout: Each zone blown individually with regulated pressure appropriate for your pipe type (40-50 PSI for poly, 60-80 PSI for PVC)
- Complete clearing: Each zone blown until no water mist is visible from any head -- indicating all standing water has been removed
- Mainline clearing: Main supply line cleared of all water between the shutoff and first valve
- Backflow protection: Backflow preventer drained, test ports opened, and device insulated or covered for winter
- Controller shutdown: Controller set to rain/off mode to prevent accidental zone activation during winter
Sprinkler Blowout FAQ
In Douglas County (Castle Rock, Sedalia, Larkspur) at 6,000+ feet, schedule your blowout by mid-October. Denver Metro properties at lower elevations can wait until late October, but don't push it -- Colorado's first hard freezes can arrive without warning. Book early because blowout schedules fill up fast in September and October.
Most residential shop compressors do not produce enough volume (measured in CFM) to clear irrigation lines effectively, even if the pressure rating looks sufficient. An undersized compressor may clear some water but leave pockets in low spots and long runs that freeze and crack. JLS uses commercial-grade compressors specifically sized for irrigation system blowouts.
Residual water in pipes, valves, and backflow assemblies will freeze and expand. This can crack PVC mainlines, split brass fittings, rupture valve diaphragms, and destroy backflow preventer internals. The resulting repair bill when you activate in spring typically costs many times more than the blowout would have. It's not a risk worth taking in Colorado.
