Deltona does not get many freezes, but it gets more than the beaches do. Sitting inland in west Volusia County, away from the warming effect of the ocean, the city sees cold nights that dip below freezing most winters, and every few years a hard freeze that lasts for hours. Those are the nights that crack the one part of a sprinkler system that sits above ground: the backflow preventer.
The good news is that freeze prep is simple, cheap and mostly something you can do yourself in a few minutes. This guide covers what is at risk, what to do before a cold night and how to bring the system back on afterward.
What actually breaks in a freeze
Underground pipe in Deltona is rarely the problem. Even a few inches of sandy soil holds enough warmth to keep buried lines from freezing during the short cold snaps Central Florida gets. The damage happens to anything exposed to the air.
- The backflow preventer. This is the brass or bronze assembly where your irrigation line comes up out of the ground, usually near the house or the water meter. It contains check valves that keep irrigation water from flowing back into the drinking water supply. Water trapped inside it can freeze, expand and split the body or the bonnet on top.
- Exposed pipe. The short runs of pipe leading into and out of the backflow preventer, and any pipe that runs along a wall or above ground, can crack.
- Valves and fittings above ground. Some systems have valves or manifolds that sit above the soil instead of in a box. They are just as vulnerable.
Freeze damage often stays hidden until the next time the system runs. A cracked bonnet may look fine on a cold morning, then start spraying the moment water pressure returns.
Before a freeze: a short checklist
Keep an eye on the forecast from December through February. When overnight lows are expected to reach freezing, especially for several hours, take these steps the afternoon before:
- Turn off the controller or set it to its off or rain mode so the system does not try to run overnight or early in the morning.
- Close the irrigation shutoff valve. Most systems have a valve on the supply line before the backflow preventer. Turn it off so the assembly is no longer under pressure.
- Release the trapped water. With the supply off, slowly open the small test cocks on the backflow preventer with a flat screwdriver to let water and pressure out. Leave them partly open overnight. Some assemblies also have handles that can be set halfway, which helps water drain.
- Insulate the assembly. Wrap it with foam pipe insulation, an insulated pouch made for backflow preventers, or an old towel covered with a plastic bag to keep it dry. Wet insulation does more harm than good, so keep the covering waterproof.
- Cover exposed pipe. Foam pipe sleeves work well on the short exposed runs.
If you are not sure which valve is the irrigation shutoff, find it on a warm day rather than in the dark before a freeze. We are glad to show you during any visit.
Timer settings for winter
Winter is also the time to cut back on watering. Under the St. Johns River Water Management District's normal rules, homes in Deltona get one watering day a week during Eastern Standard Time, which runs from the first Sunday in November to the second Sunday in March. Grass grows slowly in the cooler months and needs much less water. Our watering days guide explains how to set the schedule.
Some homeowners water before a freeze to protect plants, since moist soil holds heat better than dry soil. If you do, run the system during your allowed day and hours, well before the cold arrives, then shut it off and drain the backflow preventer. Do not leave sprinklers running overnight in freezing weather: ice on walkways and driveways is a real hazard, and the water rules still apply.
Low spots and lakefront yards get colder
Cold air is heavy and settles in low ground. Homes near Lake Monroe, along the St. Johns River and beside Deltona's many smaller lakes often see frost first, and a backflow preventer in a low, open spot on the north side of a house is more exposed than one tucked against a south wall. If your assembly sits in one of those spots, it is worth protecting even on nights that only look borderline.
After the freeze: restarting safely
- Wait until temperatures are well above freezing before turning water back on.
- Remove the insulation and look closely at the backflow preventer for cracks, bulges or splits, especially on the bonnet and test cocks.
- Close the test cocks you opened.
- Open the irrigation shutoff valve slowly and watch the assembly. Any spray or steady drip means a cracked part.
- Run each zone for a minute or two from the controller and look for heads or areas that behave differently than before.
- Turn the controller back to its normal program.
If the assembly leaks after a freeze, shut the supply valve off again. Many cracked parts can be replaced without changing the whole assembly.