(Or you can turn it off if you wish.) For a free quote for TruGreen’s lawn irrigation services, including the Annual Sprinkler Maintenance Plan, call 1-866-817-2287 or fill out this online form. Keep reading to learn about a few garage shelving solutions that will help declutter your garage. Close the backflow preventer isolation valves to ensure no air can enter. Sprinkler winterization is important because even the smallest amount of water left inside your irrigation system components can freeze, expand and crack PVC piping. Then turn on an irrigation or sprinkler zone and let it run for about 3 to 5 minutes, repeat this process for each irrigation zones. Information to help prevent your pipes from freezing. It's also recommended that a sprinkler system is blown out one zone at a time. However you insulate the backflow preventer valve, you should then cover over the insulation and preventer using a plastic bag. Once it's removed, drain all the water from it and store it someplace safe. For these reasons, we don’t recommend attempting the blow-out draining method on your own. Valve boxes are buried up to 5 feet underground and may require a long key to shut off. As the temperature plunges, ice will crack your pipes and backflow preventers. The bigger tank your compressor has, the less time you'll be waiting for it to refill during a blowout, referred to as a duty cycle. Simply shut off the main water supply to your system and open the drain valves at the end of each zone. It takes longer for the ground to dry out so you can probably set the frequency to once a week. Shut the backflow valve and then open the manual drain valve on the sprinkler system. Some of these steps are easy to do on your own, but others require specialized machinery and the expertise of a professional. They repeat this step through each irrigation system zone. Never blow air into a closed line or valve. Knowing how to winterize your sprinkler system is key to protecting the system’s pipes and valves from the cold. If your system doesn’t use potable water, it might not have a backflow preventer. Where you live plays a big part in which … Step Three: Remove The Backflow Preventer And Take Care Of Risers. Plumbing codes mandate that potable water supplies be protected against backflow at all cross-connections. There are generally three methods used to winterize a pump system: manual drain, auto-drain, and the blowout method (air compressor). If you wait too long, you risk early freezes causing damage to your system. A problem with backflow can be anywhere from a minor inconvenience to a catastrophic contamination problem that costs a ton of money to fix. Simply shut off the main water supply to your system and open the drain valves at the end of each zone. Blowing out a sprinkler system can be dangerous, and all necessary safety precautions must be taken, including: Portable, household air compressors will not have nearly enough power to blow out an irrigation system. Open the Bleeders. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Hose connection vacuum breakers are best removed, drained and stored for the winter. How to keep your irrigation or sprinkler system from freezing during cold winter months. The minimum volume an air compressor must be able to provide to properly blowout an irrigation system is 20 cubic feet per meter (CFM). If you decide to attempt this project yourself, follow these steps on how to winterize a sprinkler system. Some people prefer blowing out a zone in multiple segments instead of one long blowout. Turn on the compressor and begin the blow out process. Turn off the valve between the backflow prevention device and the main line of your sprinkler system going underground to your system. Finally, make sure that all the above-ground parts of the sprinkler system are properly insulated from the weather. Not all systems will have a ball valve as ... 2. The technician keeps the air flowing until the sprinkler head isn’t quirting water anymore — just air. The main shut-off valve, plus any exposed pipes or backflow preventers, should be wrapped in foam covers or insulation tape. It will come as no surprise that the first step is turning off the water to the system with a main valve that’s usually found near your water meter. Run one zone at a time allowing the … To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com. A closed line with pressurized air running through it can burst the pipe. The only way to know the average price in your area is to call around and ask for quotes. However, that doesn’t mean that the sprinklers themselves don’t require their own maintenance. Some sprinkler systems allow you to hook an air compressor up to the pipes to force the remaining water out of the sprinkler heads. Tankless Water Heaters: What You Need to Know Before You Buy. Locate the solenoid on each valve—a plastic cap with wires coming out of the top—and loosen it. Dealing with drafty windows and doors this winter? Freezing water in the backflow assembly will damage the internal components and can … All sprinkler systems have a main shut-off point. Whether this is a gas, electric, stationary, or portable compressor is up to you to decide. Do not connect your air hose to the test cocks or any connection before the backflow preventer. Even in the winter plants need regular watering. Backflow is a word that we rarely like to hear in the plumbing industry. After the blowout is complete and all lines have been cleared, it's time to release the water and pressure in the backflow preventer. This method is inexpensive and typically works well for making the proper connection. Make sure the valves are open on the zone you are blowing out. Backflow prevention devices will be damaged by freezing during the winter unless drained of all water. Here, we’ll go over how to winterize your sprinkler system in four easy steps. Turn the water supply off at the main water valve to prevent more water from entering the system. In this article, you'll learn the ins and outs of winterizing and blowing out your sprinkler system with an air compressor. Keeping Your System Healthy in Frigid Weather This article explains how to winterize in cold climates using a variety of methods. Step 2: Turn Off the Timer. If your system runs on an automatic timer, make sure you shut that off, too. Air pressure (PSI) and volume (CFM) must be controlled at all times. 3. Some recommend using a gasoline-powered air compressor because of their portability and lack of electrical reliance, which can potentially be dangerous to use while blowing out water lines. See 4.719, Home Sprinkler Systems: Preparing your Sprinkler System for Winter for details. Ensure you have the proper equipment necessary to do the job correctly. If you chose to just cover your backflow preventer, you can just turn your sprinkler system on until the next storm, or until the grass goes into winter dormancy. Does n't crack them first system with an air compressor up to 5 feet and! And begin the blow out the entire system at once to make up for of! To block any air vents or drain outlets snow mold is and cold. Protecting the system repair, and DIY Smarts projects from our experts–straight to your inbox experts–straight your! 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