Here's everything you need to know about winterizing your backflow device and the best way to protect it from freeze damage.
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With unpredictable winters affecting regions across the U.S., protecting your irrigation system’s backflow preventer from freeze damage is more important than ever. Without adequate protection, freezing temperatures can compromise these critical devices, resulting in equipment failure, water contamination and costly repairs.
Backflow preventers protect the water supply from contamination caused by backflow. But when temperatures drop, these devices are vulnerable. If water inside them freezes, it can crack valves and render the preventer useless, compromising both your irrigation system and the public water supply.
This risk isn’t limited to cold-weather states. Southern climates are increasingly experiencing hard freezes, making year-round protection a must.
Yes, and here's why. Backflow happens when the pressure in the plumbing system exceeds the pressure in the water supply, forcing water flow in the reverse direction. When backflow is detected, the backflow device closes off to prevent contamination.
As freeze becomes more frequent in southern and transitional climates, it’s no longer safe to assume your location is immune. This means all waterworks pumps, wells and irrigation systems, and backflow preventers must be insulated from extreme temperatures.
Freeze doesn’t just damage the device — it eliminates the barrier that protects clean drinking water. Whether you're managing a residential property or a large-scale irrigation system, freeze protection is essential.
There are three main varieties of backflow preventers used for irrigation: pressure vacuum breakers, double-check valve, and reduced pressure zone valve assemblies. Each has specific vulnerabilities and protection needs.
Pressure vacuum breakers feature a smaller footprint and are commonly used for residential irrigation, including lawn sprinkler systems, large gardens and greenhouses. These devices typically aren't as rugged as double-check or reduced pressure zone valves.
PVBs are susceptible to failure due to:
Double-check valves are commonly used in commercial settings and for fire suppression systems. Introduced in the 1950s primarily for use in the fire industry, they contain two independently acting spring-loaded check valves in series, offering redundancy in the case of failure.
As the DCV grew in use, its flaws became more apparent: there was no way to examine the valves for failure because the DC is a closed system. And there was no way to tell if those valves had failed without a professional inspection and a backflow test kit.
The DC valve remains a prominent option today, though in most cases it's recommended for use only in low-hazard situations. Made of metal and often installed below-grade, DCVs can crack or malfunction if water is left inside the assembly during a freeze.
RPZs include two check valves and a relief valve between them that discharges water if a malfunction is detected, making RPZs inherently safer in contamination scenarios.
While the RPZ solved for the DC valve's flaws, it created another problem: If the first check valve fails, the relief valve will continue to dump water until the line is shut off. Because of this, RPZs should exclusively be installed outside where excess water can flow away from a building.
What you need to know about RPZs:
The bottom line: RPZs should be properly winterized and protected from the elements in an enclosure that allows for inspection, servicing and proper drainage.
At this point, you might be asking: what do I do with my backflow preventer in winter? Do I turn it off? Can I heat it? Do I need to insulate it?
It's true that basic winterization — draining systems and using compressed air to blow out lines — can help protect irrigation equipment and your backflow preventer, and we'll share that information below. But this process is not foolproof.
A frozen backflow preventer can seize and fail, allowing cross-connection and backflow into the water supply. Freezing can also damage, crack or destroy a backflow preventer's checks, valves, gaskets and housing.
Even when drained, backflow preventers exposed to freezing air can suffer component damage. Manual winterization also requires time and coordination each fall and spring, introducing risk if it’s done late or improperly.
The best long-term solution to combat freezing conditions is with a permanent, above-ground ASSE 1060-certified enclosure that protects your backflow device year-round, no matter the climate. We recommend installing a Safe-T-Cover enclosure for peace of mind.
Unfamiliar with the ASSE 1060? The ASSE 1060 is a standard of guidelines for “fluid conveying components” and their strength, drainage capability and ability to withstand cold conditions. This was established in 1996 by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE).
Note that not all enclosures on the market meet ASSE standards. When purchasing an enclosure it's important that it meets the intended ASSE requirements, like Safe-T-Cover does.
If you're not enclosing your irrigation system and backflow device, you should thoroughly winterize them. Here are basic steps for preparing your backflow for winter.
When winterizing a pump, you need the right enclosure for your equipment. Here are the guidelines you should keep in mind when designing.
What's needed for backflow protection in New England may not be what's needed for Texas, which may not be what's needed in Nebraska, and so on.
But regardless of where you live, if recent winters are any indication, every backflow preventer should be protected from freezing conditions and failure. The risk of damage and water waste or contamination simply isn't worth it.
Safe-T-Cover’s modular aluminum enclosures are engineered for extreme durability and ease of use. Each enclosure offers:
Above-ground enclosures eliminate the need for seasonal removal, prevent freeze damage, and improve access for testing and maintenance. That's a win-win for your equipment and the water supply!
Contact us today and we'll design your cover.
If the backflow preventer is installed on an irrigation line or non-essential water supply, the backflow can be removed or winterized to keep from freezing. Ensure that water is drained from the line and the device is insulated, or remove and store in a warm, dry place. Placing backflows inside an above-ground, heated enclosure is the most protective method and doesn't require seasonal removal.
Yes, and depending on your installation you can choose from three types: a self-regulating heat cable, a wall-mounted heater and a slab-mounted heater. Here's a guide for choosing the right heated cover.
You shouldn't turn off a backflow preventer because it's vital for protecting the water supply. To safeguard from freeze, backflow preventers on irrigation lines or non-essential water supply lines can be removed and stored — but only after you completely drain the water line. This is time consuming, expensive and labor intensive. The better practice is to install a heated enclosure over the backflow preventer so it will function year round.
Yes. Backflow assemblies used in irrigation systems are prone to damage and failure due to freezing temperatures. An aluminum enclosure is the best way to cover your equipment and protect it during winter.
Follow these basic steps to drain your backflow for winter. Note that this will help winterize your system, but does not guarantee your backflow won't freeze.
A frozen backflow device can seize and fail, allowing cross-connection and backflow into the water supply. Freezing can also damage or destroy a backflow preventer's checks, valves, gaskets and housing, leading to costly repairs.
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