San Angelo doesn't get many hard freezes, which is exactly why they cause so much damage. Most homeowners never think about their sprinkler system until a cold snap cracks a fitting and water is spraying across the front yard in January.
The good news: protecting your system takes about 15 minutes, and most of the risk sits in one place.
Why freezes break sprinkler systems
Water expands when it freezes. Buried lines are usually protected by the soil around them, but anything above ground has no insulation. On most residential systems in West Texas, that's the backflow preventer, the brass assembly near your house or water meter that keeps irrigation water from flowing back into your drinking water. It's also the most expensive part to replace.
Before the freeze: a 15-minute checklist
- Turn the controller to "off" or "rain" mode. Never let sprinklers run when temperatures are below freezing. The water can ice over sidewalks, driveways and streets, and it stresses already-cold pipes. If you have a smart controller, leave it powered on so it keeps its programming; just pause watering.
- Insulate the backflow preventer. Use an insulated backflow cover from a hardware store, or wrap it in towels and cover it with a plastic bag to keep the insulation dry. Cover the whole assembly, including the exposed pipes going into the ground.
- Know where your irrigation shut-off valve is. Most systems have a dedicated valve between the house water supply and the backflow device. During a hard freeze, closing it means a cracked part won't flood your yard.
- Drain the backflow on extended hard freezes. If temperatures will stay well below freezing for more than a night, shutting off the supply and draining the assembly offers the most protection. If you're not comfortable opening the test cocks and valves, have a licensed technician do it.
- Replace the controller battery. Many controllers use a 9-volt battery to hold their schedule during a power outage. Winter storms cause outages, and a dead battery means reprogramming every zone in spring.
After the freeze: what to check
When temperatures are back above freezing, remove the insulation, slowly reopen the shut-off valve and run each zone for a minute. Watch for:
- Water spraying or dripping from the backflow assembly
- A zone with low pressure or heads that don't pop up
- Soggy spots or bubbling in the lawn that point to a cracked line underground
- Controller error messages or a lost schedule
If you see any of these, shut the water off again and call for repair. A small leak left running can waste thousands of gallons, and the city prohibits failing to repair a controllable leak.
Do you need to winterize your system in San Angelo?
Full winterization, blowing every line out with compressed air, is standard up north, where the ground freezes deep. In the Concho Valley, freezes are usually short, so most systems only need the backflow protected and the controller paused. Systems with above-ground piping, drip lines on raised beds, or heads in exposed spots may need more. If you're not sure what your system needs, we can look at it.
Your winter watering schedule still matters
Starting November 1, San Angelo allows watering once every seven days, up to 1 inch per week. Dormant lawns need far less than that. Plan on a deep watering at least once a month during dry spells, and water a day or two ahead of a forecast freeze if the soil is dry. Moist soil holds heat better than dry soil and protects roots. If your system is fully winterized, water by hand or with a hose-end sprinkler.
Licensed irrigation service in San Angelo
Ascend Landscape & Irrigation is a licensed Texas irrigator (LI0028175) and BPAT-licensed backflow tester. We handle freeze protection, repairs, seasonal start-ups and annual inspections across San Angelo and the Concho Valley. Schedule irrigation service or call (325) 261-3231.
