How to Winterize Your Irrigation System in Kansas City

As we roll deeper into fall here in Kansas City, Mother Nature keeps us guessing. We have a hard freeze coming soon, followed by a bounce-back into warmer temperatures. That means NOW is the time to prepare your irrigation system—or your DIY hose & sprinkler setup—before temperatures hit the 20s.

But here’s the twist…

✅ Once the freeze passes, you’ll likely need to put the hose back out and keep watering—especially if you have a newly-seeded lawn.

Why? Because most of our region has been in a moderate drought, and lawns—especially new grass—still need moisture going into winter.

Let’s cover everything you need to know.

🌡 Why Winterization Matters

When temperatures drop well below freezing, water left inside irrigation lines expands and can:

• Crack PVC lines

• Damage valves

• Ruin pressure vacuum breakers / backflows

• Burst hose timers or sprinklers

These repairs get expensive fast, and many homeowners don’t realize they’re preventable with a few simple steps.

✅ How to Winterize a Standard In-Ground Irrigation System

If you have a professionally-installed irrigation system, protect it before the freeze.

✅ Step-by-Step

1. Shut Off Water Supply Turn off the main irrigation water line inside your home or in your meter pit.

2. Turn Off Controller Put it into “OFF” or “RAIN DELAY” mode so it doesn’t cycle automatically.

3. Drain Water

   • Open manual drain valves OR

   • Use an air compressor to blow out each zone(Recommended—this prevents trapped water from freezing.)

4. Protect Your Backflow This is the #1 freeze-damage failure.

   • Turn valves to 45° angle

   • Wrap with a towel/blanket

   • Cover with plastic or insulation cover

5. Remove/Store Filters If you have zone filters, remove them to ensure no trapped water remains.

6. Seal Irrigation Box Place insulation, leaves, or foam inside the valve box to help prevent freezing.

   
   

DIY Winterization Checklist

✅ For In-Ground Systems

• ☐ Shut off irrigation water supply

• ☐ Turn off controller (OFF or RAIN DELAY)

• ☐ Drain or blow out zones

• ☐ Protect backflow with insulation

• ☐ Remove filters

• ☐ Seal valve box

✅ How to Winterize Your DIY Hose & Sprinkler Setup

(Hose, timer, above-ground sprinkler system)

A lot of Kansas City homeowners use simple setups with:

• Hose

• Hose timer

• Hose sprinkler / oscillating sprinkler

These are especially common for newly seeded lawns.

✅ Step-by-Step

1. Shut Off the Hose Disconnect from spigot.

2. Remove Timers Bring timers indoors—freezing ruins them instantly.

3. Drain Hoses Stretch hoses downhill to empty water.

4. Store Indoors Avoid sun & freezing temps.

5. Drain Sprinklers Turn them upside-down to drain trapped water and store inside.

6. Protect Outdoor Faucets

   • Bring hose off

   • Use a foam faucet coveror wrap with towel/blanket during freeze

❄ Important Note for NEW LAWNS

If you seeded this fall, watering is STILL critical.

Yes, we’ll get a major freeze…But after the freeze passes, we’ll jump back into warmer temps, and new lawns still need water to stay healthy.

✅ Plan to take the hose back out and continue watering Why? New lawns are vulnerable—without consistent moisture, they can:

• Dry out

• Struggle to root

• Thin out over winter

• Struggle to green up in spring

A deep drink before winter makes a huge difference.

🌧 Drought is Still a Factor

KC has been in a moderate drought for months.

Even though it’s November and getting cold, lawns are still drying out faster than normal.

✅ Recommendations

• Water on warm days

• 2–3x/week if newly seeded

• Midday watering is fine (sun is weak this time of year)

• 
  

✅ After the Freeze → Put the Sprinklers Back Out

Once temps bounce back into the 50s–60s (which is forecasted), continue watering:✅ Newly seeded lawns✅ Thin/weak lawns✅ Lawns with south exposure✅ Lawns with poor irrigation coverage

Even 1–2 weeks of additional watering can make a huge difference going into spring.

✅ Need Help Winterizing?

We do NOT perform irrigation blowouts—but we work with trusted irrigation partners all across the Kansas City area.

If you need someone to:

• Winterize your irrigation system

• Blow out lines

• Repair backflow

• Check coverage

➡️ We can get you connected.

📩 Email: jason.clarkson@turfgeekkc.com📱 Text: 816-793-6878🌐 turfgeekkc.com

Kansas City Winterization Checklist

In-Ground System

• ☐ Shut off water

• ☐ Turn off controller

• ☐ Blow out lines

• ☐ Wrap backflow

• ☐ Store filters

• ☐ Seal valve box

DIY Hose Setup

• ☐ Disconnect hose

• ☐ Bring in timer

• ☐ Drain hose

• ☐ Store hose

• ☐ Drain sprinkler

• ☐ Cover faucet

✅ After freeze → Resume watering on warm days✅ Critical for newly seeded lawns

Final Thoughts

The next freeze will be serious—but it won’t be winter for good!

In Kansas City, temperatures often bounce around through November, and lawns—especially newly seeded turf—still need water to toughen up before winter.

Bottom Line

✅ Winterize now✅ Resume watering when it warms up✅ Protect your investment

If you need help connecting with a reliable irrigation winterization professional, we’ve got you covered.

➡ Reach out and we’ll refer someone great in your area.

Let’s keep your lawn healthy through winter so you can Geek Out About It this spring.

— The Turf Geeks Team Quality • Passion • Support