Atlantic County lawns have a little more time than inland New Jersey before the first hard freeze, but not as much as most homeowners think. If your sprinkler system in Galloway, Egg Harbor Township, Absecon or Hammonton still has water in the lines, now is the time to clear it.
When to Winterize in Atlantic County
Blowouts run from roughly mid-October to mid-November. The real deadline is the first sustained hard freeze, when overnight lows stay below about 28°F long enough to push frost into the ground. In an average year that arrives in early-to-mid November. In a cold year it comes in late October.
Timing is not the same across the county. Hammonton and the inland townships run colder than the Galloway and Egg Harbor corridor, so inland properties should be near the front of the line. Bayfront homes in Absecon are exposed in a different way: salt air and wind, plus low-lying ground that can hold cold air.
What a Proper Blowout Includes
- Every zone cycled two to three times with a commercial compressor until it runs dry
- The backflow preventer drained so it cannot crack in a freeze
- The controller set to its winter setting
- A quick look for broken heads or leaks we can note for spring
For the full step-by-step, see how to blow out a sprinkler system. For pricing by zone count, see our sprinkler winterization cost guide.
Sandy Soil Does Not Protect Your Lines
Atlantic County soil drains fast, and some homeowners assume that means water will not sit in the pipes. It does. Water stays trapped in low spots, valves and the backflow preventer whether the soil around them is sandy or not, and that is exactly where freeze damage starts.
If You Wait Too Long
A cracked backflow preventer or split lateral line is a far bigger bill than a blowout. If a freeze hits before your system is cleared, see what happens if you don’t winterize and call us as soon as possible.
Serving All of Atlantic County
We winterize systems across Atlantic County, along with Ocean and Monmouth County.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a blowout take?
It depends on the number of zones and the size of the property. A small yard can be done fairly quickly; a large multi-zone system takes considerably longer because every zone gets more than one pass.
Do I need to be home?
Usually not, as long as we can reach the controller and the backflow preventer. Let us know when you book.
What if I already shut the water off?
That helps, but it does not clear the water already in the lines, valves and backflow preventer. A blowout is still needed.
Ready to book? Call or text 609-548-5187 or schedule online. Coastal Mist Irrigation is licensed (NJ LIC#719827), insured and rated 5.0 stars on Google.