Businessmen Find a Niche in Sprinkler Winterization

TWIN FALLS You see them every fall pickups with large air compressors in tow. Those vehicles belong to people putting sprinkler systems to bed for the winter.

If homeowners dont winterize their sprinkler lines, water remaining in the pipes might freeze and break underground pipes and fittings. That can mean a costly repair. Lawn services, landscapers and others wanting a side business have stepped in to help homeowners, and at the same time put some green in their pocket.

It can be a big or little business.

Frank Scherer of Twin Falls is a retired school counselor and has been working with sprinkler systems for years.

I picked it up myself, he said. He doesnt own a large compressor. His fits nicely in the back of his pickup and, at 90 psi, has just enough power for the blowouts, he said.

I cant afford a big one. They cost thousands of dollars, he said.

But he has a big enough clientele to keep him busy. On a good day, he can do 10 or 12 blowouts, he said. At $30 per household, the money can add up.

His son Scott, while doing a winterization at a house Saturday in Twin Falls, said he knows how his father spends the extra income.

Its his cruising money, he said of his fathers love of vacations.

Once you have the right equipment, blowing out the sprinkler systems isnt too difficult, Scott said. Finding the valves on the sprinkler system can take a little time, but generally, it takes more time driving to the house than it takes to do the blowout, he said.

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Businessmen Find a Niche in Sprinkler Winterization