How To Blow Out (Winterize) Your In Ground Lawn Yard Sprinkler System – Step by Step DIY Guide

When we moved into our first home back in Oct. 2005, one of the very first maintenance items that needed to be taken care of was to winterize our lawn sprinkler system.  Back then, it never really occurred to me that a simple Google search like: ” how to blow out (winterize) your in ground lawn yard sprinkler system ” would teach me everything I needed to know about the process in less than 20 minutes.  I wish I could go back in time and smack myself in the face with a large trout!  Over the past eight years, I’ve spent more than $1,000 getting my in ground lawn yard spinkler system blown out (winterized) – NOT ANYMORE!

 

How To Blow Out (Winterize) Your In Ground Lawn Yard Sprinkler System – Money Saving Breakdown

• Difficulty (Super Easy/Easy/Medium/Hard/Expert): Hard
• Average Savings per Year ($/year): 130
• Time Required (mins): 120
• Savings for your time ($/hr): 65

 

How To Blow Out (Winterize) Your In Ground Lawn Yard Sprinkler System – The Back Story

The company that I use to blow out (winterize) my in ground lawn yard sprinkler system charges $130 per year to winterize it and then bring it back online in the spring.  I’ve always known that I could probably do this work myself, but I’ve been putting it off every year for one reason or another.

I had even spoken with a couple folks from work that decided to start their own small business to winterize in ground lawn yard sprinkler systems on the side.  I thought to myself “if they can do it, then why can’t I?”  I was beginning to think I probably needed to take some action and learn how to do this for myself.

So, a couple of weeks ago I printed out the form and got ready to write the ninth check of my life for $130 to get your lawn yard sprinkler system blown out (winterized).  But something stopped me this time.  There was a little itty-bitty voice in the back of my head saying: “you know, you could probably find an air compressor on craigslist for less than $130 and teach yourself to do the entire job without too much hassle.  Then, from here on out each year you’d save $130 a pop.”

So, I actually jumped onto the google and began researching.  After reading six or seven websites and watching four or five youtube videos, I was confident that I could do this myself.  None of the websites/videos on how to winterize yard sprinkler systems was entirely thorough.  But if you could take all of the information and stir it together in one giant black pot, you’d make a pretty good knowledge soup.  All of the information combined gave me a good idea of the tools, process, and cautions to keep in mind.

I scoured the craigslist and quickly found the right size air compressor that would do the job.  The post title said it was $150, but the details of the ad said $125.  I was able to use my expert negotiation skills with the chap over the phone to snag the air compressor for $100.  Now, I’d be able to blow out (winterize) my in ground lawn yard sprinkler system myself.  Hurrah!  I’d actually start saving money this year ($130 – $100 = $30 saved for 2013)!

 

How To Blow Out (Winterize) Your In Ground Lawn Yard Sprinkler System – Lifetime Savings

I thought it would be interesting to calculate just how much the present dollar value of making the decision to blow out (winterize) your in ground lawn yard sprinkler system would be.  Let’s assume that one buys and owns some sort of house with a yard sprinkler system from the age of 25 up to the age of 75.  Also, we’ll assume that inflation is 3% and the rate of return for the stock market is 11% (8% above and beyond inflation).  Running the numbers, we see that over a lifetime you’d have $361,384 in your pocket when you hit 75 (assuming you’re 25 today).  That’s like having $1,958 in your pocket right now and investing it for the next 50 years.  So there you go, I just saved you nearly $2,000 right here and now 🙂

For me, since I’m starting to blow out (winterize) my in ground lawn yard sprinkler system at the age of 32, I’ll have an extra $171,364 by the time I hit the ripe age of 75 .

 

How To Blow Out (Winterize) Your In Ground Lawn Yard Sprinkler System – DIY Video

Because I couldn’t really find a video or website that brought together all the information you’d need to have when you searched: ” how to blow out (winterize) your in ground lawn yard sprinkler system,” I decided to make my own youtube video to help out those blessed future money savers out there.  I’ve embedded my excellent youtube video on how to blow out (winterize) your in ground lawn yard sprinkler system below for your enjoyment.

Also, if you know me personally and live around town, I’d be happy to help you winterize your yard sprinkler system with my awesome $100 air compressor (similar models retail for $300 new).  Just call me and I’ll be there 🙂

 

How To Blow Out (Winterize) Your In Ground Lawn Yard Sprinkler System – Final Thoughts

So, have I convinced anyone here that this is easy and totally doable by yourself?!?  The whole process was a little harder than I first thought, but hopefully the things tips and tricks I share with you in the video above with teach you how to blow out (winterize) your in ground lawn yard sprinkler system like a pro!!!