Elevate Landscapes

09/28/2026

Improper Irrigation Winterization Can Be a Costly Spring Surprise

Colorado winters are hard on irrigation systems. One of the most important steps a property owner or manager can take before freezing temperatures arrive is making sure the irrigation system is properly winterized.

Unfortunately, simply connecting an air compressor and “blowing out the sprinklers” does not necessarily mean the system has been adequately protected.

Why Proper Winterization Matters

Water expands when it freezes. Any water left behind in irrigation components can freeze, expand, and damage the system. That damage may not become obvious until spring startup, when cracked pipes, damaged valves, leaking fittings, broken heads, or failed backflow components begin showing themselves.

On a large commercial or multifamily property, those repairs can quickly become expensive.

Proper winterization is intended to remove enough water from the irrigation system to significantly reduce that risk. Doing that correctly requires more than just air pressure—it requires sufficient **air volume, proper access points, and an understanding of the irrigation system itself**.

Not Every Connection Is a Proper Blowout Point

One common mistake is trying to winterize a large irrigation system through a small test port on the backflow preventer.

Backflow test ports are designed primarily for testing the backflow assembly. They are not necessarily designed to deliver the volume of compressed air required to properly winterize a large commercial irrigation mainline.

A small opening may allow air into the system, but that does not mean enough airflow is reaching every portion of the system to adequately evacuate water.

This is especially important on properties with:

- Large-diameter mainlines
- Long irrigation runs
- Multiple zones
- Elevation changes
- Extensive drip irrigation
- Large numbers of valves and sprinkler heads

A properly located, appropriately sized blowout connection downstream of the backflow assembly can make a substantial difference in how effectively the system can be winterized.

More Pressure Is Not the Answer

Another misconception is that increasing compressor pressure will compensate for an inadequate connection.

It will not.

Irrigation winterization depends heavily on **air volume, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM)**, rather than simply increasing PSI. Excessive pressure can actually damage irrigation components.

The goal is controlled airflow through the irrigation system—not forcing extremely high pressure through it.

Existing Irrigation Problems Can Prevent Proper Winterization

Winterization is also more difficult when the irrigation system already has unresolved repairs.

Broken valves, leaking fittings, damaged quick couplers, compromised backflow assemblies, open lines, and other defects can interfere with the contractor's ability to properly pressurize and evacuate portions of the system.

That is why irrigation repairs identified before winterization should be taken seriously.

Choosing not to complete recommended repairs can mean portions of the system cannot be properly winterized, increasing the likelihood of freeze damage.

Improper Winterization May Not Show Up Until Spring

One of the frustrating things about freeze damage is that everything may appear fine during the winter.

The real problems often appear during spring startup.

A system that was inadequately winterized may suddenly reveal:

- Cracked lateral or mainline piping
- Split fittings
- Damaged valves
- Broken sprinkler heads
- Leaking backflow components
- Failed quick couplers
- Underground leaks
- Reduced system pressure

Because many of these components are underground, finding and repairing the damage can require extensive troubleshooting and excavation.

Commercial Properties Require a Different Approach

Large commercial, HOA, multifamily, and municipal irrigation systems should not necessarily be treated like residential sprinkler systems.

Pipe diameter, property size, irrigation design, elevation, available blowout connections, and compressor capacity all matter.

A professional irrigation contractor should evaluate the system and determine the safest and most effective method for winterization rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Protect the System Before the Freeze

Winterization is ultimately about protecting the investment already made in the property's irrigation infrastructure.

Before winterization, property managers should address known irrigation repairs, make sure appropriate blowout connections are available, and work with a contractor that understands the airflow requirements of commercial systems.

A few preventative steps in the fall can prevent a much larger repair bill in the spring. Let us know if you have any questions!

08/31/2026

Snow and ice management doesn’t have to start after the storm arrives.

Liquid brine is a proactive pre-treatment applied before a winter weather event to help prevent snow and ice from bonding to pavement. That can make post-storm cleanup more efficient, improve traction, and reduce the amount of granular deicer needed afterward.

At Elevate Landscapes, we use liquid brine as another tool to help property managers stay ahead of Colorado winter conditions rather than simply reacting to them.

For HOA, multifamily, and commercial properties, brine can be especially valuable on:
• Drive lanes and parking areas
• High-traffic entrances
• Sidewalks and pedestrian areas
• Properties where reducing ice buildup is a priority

And you do not have to use Elevate as your snow removal contractor to take advantage of our brine pre-treatment services.

If you’re building your 2026–2027 snow plan and want to learn whether liquid brine makes sense for your property, reach out. We’re happy to review your site and discuss options.

08/31/2026

Fall is where next spring starts.

For HOA, multifamily, and commercial properties, the next several weeks are one of the best opportunities to protect the landscape investment you already have.

Aeration, overseeding, irrigation repairs, turf recovery, pruning, and drainage corrections are much easier to address proactively than after winter exposes every weak area on the property.

This is also the time to start looking ahead at:
• Areas where turf has thinned or struggled this season
• Irrigation issues that should not carry into next year
• Drainage or erosion concerns that could worsen with snow and freeze/thaw cycles
• Landscape enhancements that need to be budgeted for 2027
• Snow and ice management plans before routes and resources fill up

Good landscape management is not just about keeping a property looking nice today. It is about identifying problems early, planning capital improvements intelligently, and protecting the value of the property long-term.

At Elevate Landscapes, we work with property managers and boards to help turn those observations into practical scopes, budgets, and maintenance plans.

If you are starting your 2027 budgeting or still have projects you want completed this fall, now is a good time to start the conversation.

08/25/2026

If you're looking for a partner in landscaping, give Heather a call at 719-640-2090.

08/24/2026

At multifamily communities, landscape maintenance is more than just curb appeal. It helps establish the standard for how the entire property is treated.

When residents come home to clean sidewalks, healthy turf, maintained beds, trimmed shrubs, and common areas that are clearly cared for, it sends a message: this property is maintained, and we expect it to stay that way.

The opposite can happen just as quickly.

When landscaping becomes overgrown, turf declines, pet-kill is obvious, weeds take over, or common areas look neglected, that lack of care can start to carry over into how residents treat patios, breezeways, trash areas, pet stations, and even the units themselves.

People tend to take better care of places that already look cared for.

For owners and property managers, consistent landscape maintenance is part of protecting the asset, supporting resident pride, and creating a community where neglect doesn't become the norm.

Well maintained landscaping sets the standard for the entire community.

08/17/2026

Heather wrote some helpful information for those of you struggling with drainage issues. Check out our blog!

Drainage problems are often treated as a construction issue, but for HOA communities, multifamily properties, and commercial sites, some of the earliest warning signs show up in the landscape. Standing water, washed-out rock, thinning turf, exposed soil, damaged mulch beds, erosion along sidewalks,....

07/29/2026

PSA: Colorado Springs is expected to see plenty of rain this week, and while most of us welcome the moisture, heavy rainfall can also reveal issues that may have been developing over time.

After a storm, it can be helpful to observe how water moves across a property. Standing water, visible erosion, mulch displacement, water collecting near structures, or turf that remains saturated long after rainfall can all indicate drainage concerns. These conditions, if persistent, may contribute to landscape decline, soil instability, or other maintenance challenges.

Significant rain events often provide useful insight into how a site is functioning. Observing conditions during or shortly after rainfall can help identify areas that may benefit from further evaluation.

In landscape and property management, drainage is typically assessed by looking at both surface conditions and underlying causes, with the goal of understanding how water is being directed and absorbed across the site.

07/28/2026

07/27/2026

Charlie Munger once said, "Lush landscaping, that's what sells. You spend money on trees, and you get it back triple. Stinting on landscaping is building malpractice." Call Heather at Elevate Landscapes today at 719-640-2090 and let's remove and replace those sad, dead trees.

07/22/2026