Prepping used tractors, sprinklers for winter

Clearing out a sprinkler system is one of the tasks to take care of before winter.
Clearing out a sprinkler system is one of the tasks to take care of before winter.
After a season of rolling out used tractors and watering lawns with sprinklers, getting ready for the winter season may be in order.

According to a report from the Washington Post, people with sprinkler systems should make sure they winterize them before the cold weather hits. Any water left over in the pipes of this irrigation equipment could freeze and destroy parts of it.

Some systems have a manual or automatic drain. However, the Post said if people have a sprinkler array that does not have these features - or if they are unsure either way - consumers should consider hiring a landscaping company to do the job for them because it involves using compressed air.

"Compressed air can cause serious injuries, which is why it makes sense to hire someone who knows how to do it safely," the Post said.

With that out of the way, experts note lawn owners should also take care of their used tractors prior to putting them away for winter. Cleaning off grass debris will help avoid oxidation, and people may consider draining the gas tank and sharpening blades as well.