Sprinkler Blowouts For Wednesday, October 22, 2025

I just found out that one of the HOAs in Star isn’t shutting down their irrigation pumps until today (the 22nd), and they don’t want anyone doing sprinkler blowouts before Friday the 24th. So, we’re bumping Star to Monday the 27th to give things a little breathing room. We can shut the water off at each property, but there’s still pressure behind the valve, and if that water doesn’t drain out after the pressure’s released, it can freeze and make a mess and cost a fortune to fix. It’s better to let the system relax before we go blasting air through it.

Besides, no sense in rushing it — patience beats explaining to someone why their sprinkler pump suddenly sounds like a coffee grinder.

I did a search today for extended forecasts for the Boise area, and it looks like we’re going to have temperatures above freezing until almost Thanksgiving. In mid-November, there’s one night that might dip to 30 degrees, but it’ll take all night to get there — and then it starts warming back up again.

That’s surface temperature. It takes even longer for the freeze level to reach sprinkler piping. And since backflows are easy to drain (instructions are at the bottom of this post), we literally have until mid-December — maybe later — if needed.

Last January, we even had a guy text me who suddenly remembered he hadn’t gotten his blowout done. We did it with no problem — the temps were in the teens, there was a little snow on the ground, and everything turned out fine.

Snow’s an excellent insulator — ask an Inuit (you know, what we used to call Eskimos). Meanwhile, all the folks who’ve moved here from warmer climates are bundling up in parkas the second it hits 50 degrees. I’ve actually seen it — hoods up, gloves on, like they’re prepping for a blizzard. Meanwhile, Idahoans are out there in shorts, grilling dinner, and talking about how pleasant the weather is.

Joe wrapped up everything but one stop out in the Outer Limits. His alternator started acting up, and he didn’t want to risk getting stranded on planet Ola — which, around the office, we refer to as one of the more distant worlds in our solar system. 🚀 We’ll circle back and take care of Ola another day, probably when we’re working the far west side of Caldwell. Ben has graciously offered to take that trip when we are ready to go.

Sure, we could call it quits and say it’s too far, but that’s not how we operate. My old military habits kick in — no man left behind, even if that man lives halfway to Mars. We finish what we start, no matter how far the orbit.

Joe’s taking today off to get his alternator replaced and will be back in action Friday. (As a reminder, Thursdays are his regular day off — he works Saturdays instead to make up for it.)

Here are the routes for today:

Ben With “Leroy” In Meridian 83642

Auckland St
South Astoria Avenue
South Tavistock Avenue
East Angus Hill Drive
East Murchison Street
South Wayland Way
East Brace Court
East Parulo Drive
South Pioneer Trail Way
South Hunter Trail Way
East Lodge Trail Court
South Twilight Mist Way
East Sawtelle Peak Street
East Rockhampton Drive
South Bentwaters Way
East Grayson Street
South Stockport Avenue
South Pemberley Way
South Cadence Avenue
Tarrega Lane

Eddie With “Purple Rain” In Meridian 83642

West Chateau Avenue
West Delmar Drive
Northwest 9th Place
West Creekbury Drive
South Murlo Way
East Ionia Street
East Ionia Drive
East Sicily Street
East Sicily Court
South Daybreak Avenue
South Cannon Way
South Chesman Avenue
South Springfield Avenue
West Bloomington Drive
South Garibaldi Place
West Tall Prairie Drive
West Buroak Drive
South Tandycroft Avenue
South Redwater Avenue