Or call (480) 448-8890
Scottsdale doesn’t get hard freezes often, but “not often” isn’t “never” — and irrigation damage from a single overnight frost can mean a cracked backflow preventer, a split PVC riser, or a valve box full of water damage you won’t discover until you run the system in March.
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What to Protect, and How
Here’s what to protect, and how.
- Backflow preventers. This is the part most likely to crack in a freeze, because it sits above ground and holds water under pressure even when the system isn’t running. Insulating the device with a foam cover (sold at most hardware stores) or wrapping it with insulating tape and a plastic bag over the top handles the occasional frost night. Never use a rigid, sealed cover with no drainage — trapped moisture causes its own problems.
- Exposed above-ground pipe. Any pipe that runs above grade — near a backflow assembly, a pump, or a hose bib — is exposed to the same risk. Foam pipe insulation, wrapped and taped at the seams, is the standard fix.
- Drip irrigation emitters and exposed tubing. If you run drip on planters or pots, exposed emitters near the surface can freeze and crack in a hard frost. These are cheap to insulate and even cheaper to replace, but replacing them mid-season is more of a hassle than covering them ahead of time.
When to Actually Act
Watch for National Weather Service frost/freeze advisories for the Phoenix metro area — Scottsdale typically sees a handful of these per winter, usually overnight in December and January. You don’t need to insulate everything in October; you need a plan you can execute in twenty minutes the evening before a forecasted freeze.
What’s Included in the Free Backflow & Freeze Check
- Inspection of your backflow preventer’s exposure and current insulation (if any)
- Check for exposed above-ground pipe and drip tubing at risk
- Straightforward recommendation — insulate it yourself, have us do it once, or confirm you’re already covered
Or call (480) 448-8890
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually cracks in a Scottsdale freeze — the whole system? No, just the exposed parts: backflow preventers, above-ground pipe, and exposed drip tubing. Everything below ground is generally fine.
Do I need to do this every single cold night? No — just before an actual frost advisory, which happens a handful of times per winter, usually in December and January.
Can I just do this myself? Yes, for most homes it’s a twenty-minute DIY job with foam covers and pipe insulation. If you’d rather have it checked and done once, that’s what the free visit is for.
If you’re not sure whether your backflow preventer is already exposed to risk, or you want it done once and left alone for the season, that’s a fifteen-minute visit for our techs.
About Conserva Irrigation of Greater Scottsdale
Conserva Irrigation of Greater Scottsdale was founded on a simple mission: help Arizona homeowners use water responsibly without sacrificing beautiful landscapes — or family budgets. Toro and Hunter certified installation partners with 50+ 5-star reviews. Licensed, insured, family-owned. We serve Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and Phoenix.
(480) 448-8890 | conservairrigationofgreaterscottsdale.com