Locate the sprinkler control box outside the house. The box usually has a green lid and contains all of the valve controls for the system.
Look around the valve box for exposed sections of pipe. Anything above ground and not covered by the control box is susceptible to freezing damage. Measure the length of the exposed pipe sections.
Cut sections of pipe foam insulation that match the length of the exposed pipe. Scissors should cut through the insulation easily, or you can use a knife.
Spread the pipe insulating foam along the seam and place the wrap securely over the exposed sections of pipe. The insulation will seal itself and grab hold of the pipe. The air barrier between the pipe and the outside of the foam insulation will keep the water inside the pipes above freezing and prevent burst pipes.
Place an insulating bag over the pressure vacuum breaker above the sprinkler control box. The breaker should be drained of water during the winterizing process, so this step is optional. However, the bag is specially designed to keep snow, ice and water out of the breaker for the winter, and can help reduce problems with sprinkler start-ups in the spring.