Winterization is an important part of maintaining a properly running lawn sprinkler system. Either way, the compressor ratings we recommend to start at are 20+ CFM at 50 PSI and can consistently hold those values for at least 5 minutes at a time during use. To minimize the risk of damage, a water pump system must be adequately winterized to remove excess water and moisture from the lines before freezing can occur. Without proper preparation, your sprinkler system might be damaged by freezing temperatures. The shut off valve for your sprinkler system should be located in an area that is unable to freeze over. Although polyethylene pipe is more flexible and can expand under pressure, water left inside can freeze and rupture the pipe walls. Even if you don’t damage the system, you might not get the job done completely, and even a little water left in a sprinkler system over the winter can cause problems. For these reasons, we don’t recommend attempting the blow-out draining method on your own. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that a typical DIYer’s air compressor might create the 50 PSI (pounds per square inch) of pressure needed to clear out PVC piping. Many professionals … If your system doesn’t use potable water, it might not have a backflow preventer. Some sprinkler systems may allow you to drain the water manually. The shut-off valve should turn easily — do not fo… To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. If you don't own an air compressor that can handle a proper sprinkler blowout, this is a much cheaper option for professional results. Particularly if you live in an area where ground temperatures dip below freezing, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve properly prepared the system for winter weather by draining out the water and insulating the sprinkler components. It may also damage your sprinkler heads. Run one zone at a time allowing the … Here’s what you need to know about choosing, installing, and living with a tankless water heater. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. The best and safest way to winterize your sprinkler system is to leave the job to a qualified professional. Tankless Water Heaters: What You Need to Know Before You Buy. Once the water does not appear to be exiting the sprinklers, turn off the air supply to the line, as dry air going through those pipes may create friction and general wear-and-tear. This device, which is also referred to as an air gap, will stop water from moving back into … Keep reading to learn about a few garage shelving solutions that will help declutter your garage. Open the Bleeders. The larger the pipe, the higher CFM (volume) it will take to do the job as well. A closed line with pressurized air running through it can burst the pipe. There are usually two of these valves that lead into the backflow device; be sure to shut them both off. Valve boxes are buried up to 5 feet underground and may require a long key to shut off. Particularly if you’re winterizing your sprinkler system for the first time, make sure you double-check the manufacturer’s user manual. However, there will still be some water trapped within the valves themselves. Shut off the water supply. With the rising replacement cost of backflow preventers, and especially since Double Check Backflow Preventers can no longer be installed on sprinkler systems in Idaho, we need to protect our current backflow preventers the best we can. Every system should have a blowout port built into the piping. Sprinklers save you a great deal of time and effort when it comes to creating and maintaining a lush, green lawn. Shut off the Water Supply. It might be located in … Even in the winter plants need regular watering. If you decide to attempt this project yourself, follow these steps on how to winterize a sprinkler system. Some systems have a “rain mode” that allows you to essentially power down the timer without losing any programmed information or settings. If your system doesn’t use potable water, it might not have a backflow preventer. A badly damaged sprinkler system may need to be replaced and reinstalled, which carries a price tag in the thousands of dollars. Unpredictable Mother Nature. You can also read our guide on how to size a sprinkler system if you are building one for the first time or would like more information about sprinkler pumps. The most common type of backflow preventer in Texas is the Reduced Pressure Zone backflow preventer. Handles at Forty-Five Degrees. If the original key cannot be located, contact the contractor that installed the system or the manufacturer to obtain a replacement. Using an air compressor with the recommended PSI and CFM ratings (50 PSI and 20-50 CFM), the steps below outline the general process of blowing out water lines on an irrigation system. 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If any water pump or piping sits above the frost line, all the water in the line is susceptible to freezing, thawing, and potentially cracking the pump, casing, or piping, which is a costly thing to repair, especially with a lawn irrigation system. Blowout the Pipes with Air Compressor. Turn the water supply off at the main water valve to prevent more water from entering the system. Some people prefer blowing out a zone in multiple segments instead of one long blowout. Whether this is a gas, electric, stationary, or portable compressor is up to you to decide. The technician keeps the air flowing until the sprinkler head isn’t quirting water anymore — just air. Simply shut off the main water supply to your system and open the drain valves at the end of each zone. A problem with backflow can be anywhere from a minor inconvenience to a catastrophic contamination problem that costs a ton of money to fix. You can winterize a sprinkler system without an air compressor if all of your irrigation lines are buried at a slight downhill slope. You can use standard insulation tape, or even fiberglass tape if you wish. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our experts–straight to your inbox. 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. Allowing the system to run in rain mode throughout the winter is usually safe and shouldn’t run up your energy costs. This method is inexpensive and typically works well for making the proper connection. Tired of running out of hot water? You may also lag the valve using waterproof insulation and tape to hold it in place. If the sprinkler system is not installed properly, then backflow may occur because there is excessive amounts of back-pressure coming from the pump. Without the proper preventative care, you’ll find yourself planning a very expensive repair job when springtime weather arrives. It’s not enough just to keep water from flowing into the system; you also need to drain out the water that’s already in there. In this article, you'll learn the ins and outs of winterizing and blowing out your sprinkler system with an air compressor. Never allow yourself or anyone else to stand above the pipes, sprinklers, or any valves. Knowing how to winterize your sprinkler system is key to protecting the system’s pipes and valves from the cold. Polyethylene pipe (flexible, black pipe) is used in many freezing climates. Always make connections after the backflow valves in the line. However, at-home machines can’t usually generate the 10 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of volume needed to quickly and completely blow out the water. Dealing with drafty windows and doors this winter? Then they blow out the backflow preventer. At the control box, set all of the zones to run for two minutes. Turn Off the Isolation Valve. Remember to turn your valves and system back on when freeze is over. 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. To winterize this system, it’s often best to hire an experienced irrigation specialist. The recommended PSI ratings for blowouts are not to exceed 50 PSI for general safety and efficiency. All Rights Reserved\"}","checkoutMiscLinkJSON":"{\"Privacy Policy\":{\"href\":\"privacy.php\",\"title\":\"Privacy Policy\"},\"Terms of Use\":{\"href\":\"terms-of-use.php\",\"title\":\"Terms of Use\"},\"copyright\":\"© 2021 Power Equipment Direct. Although you can always reinstall it once it's drained, that's usually a task best kept for the springtime. The steps presented here are generic to most systems, but you want to see whether you need to take any specific actions for your sprinklers. All underground sprinkler systems have a main shut off point. Even if you have drained the water out of your irrigation system, some water remains and can freeze, expand, and crack PVC piping (rigid, white pipe). Backflow preventers must be winterized along with the sprinkler system to prevent cold-weather damage. The best way to do this is with pipe insulation and duct tape. The blowout method is usually the easiest and most efficient way to winterize a sprinkler pump system. The main shut-off valve, plus any exposed pipes or backflow preventers, should be wrapped in foam covers or insulation tape. 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. Close the backflow preventer isolation valves to ensure no air can enter. The blowout method is usually the easiest and most efficient way to winterize a sprinkler pump system. “Backflow” is anything that has to do with contaminated water flowing backwards into the main water line or into a water supply. Locate the main water supply shutoff valve and turn it off. Here are some tips from Rain Bird on how to prepare your irrigation system for winter conditions if you live in a region where it freezes. This is the biggest and most time-consuming step in the process, but it’s absolutely vital. First, turn off the main water … Remember, whichever zone you are working in first, make sure those valves are opened fully to prevent damage to the closing components. That’s not a problem with one of these compact, ultra-efficient units that heat water as you need it. See 4.719, Home Sprinkler Systems: Preparing your Sprinkler System for Winter for details. A good rule of thumb is that the air compressor needs to be able to sustain the recommended PSI and CFM requirements (read below) for at least 2 minutes per zone on a sprinkler system to be effective. If your system runs on an automatic timer, make sure you shut that off, too. If you’d like a free quote, fill out this quick form or call 1-866-817-2287 to speak to a customer service representative. Ways to Winterize an Irrigation System. 3 Steps to Winterize Your Backflow Preventer. Winterizing your sprinkler means removing all of the water from inside the pipes, backflow preventer, sprinkler heads, and fittings. Never blow air into a closed line or valve. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Running air through the backflow preventer can significantly damage it, which is also expensive to replace. The only way to know the average price in your area is to call around and ask for quotes. The first step is to turn off the irrigation lines and ensure no more water is able to flow into the lines. Simply shut off the main water supply to your system and open the drain valves at the end of each zone. Plumbing codes mandate that potable water supplies be protected against backflow at all cross-connections. 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. Air pressure (PSI) and volume (CFM) must be controlled at all times. As the temperature plunges, ice will crack your pipes and backflow preventers. Open the remaining test cocks and ball valves and allow water to drain. Spring start up procedures. Winterizing Systems. This will allow air to flow into the system and water to flow out. To put this in perspective, a small leak in a sprinkler line can contribute hundreds of dollars added to the water bill in a single month. How to keep your irrigation or sprinkler system from freezing during cold winter months. Tools Needed to Drain a Sprinkler System for winter. In the spring, you can turn the rain mode off, and the timer should resume working normally. Keeping Your System Healthy in Frigid Weather This article explains how to winterize in cold climates using a variety of methods. Just be aware that even the largest home compressor isn’t powerful enough to blow out the entire system at once. If nothing else, absolutely do not run any compressor higher than 80 PSI in your lines, or damage will be more than likely to occur. Some sprinkler systems allow you to hook an air compressor up to the pipes to force the remaining water out of the sprinkler heads. With a basic quick-connect coupling, you can use your air compressor to clear water from your sprinkler system for the winter. A messy garage makes it difficult to complete home improvement projects in your workspace and find the tools needed for those projects. Do not connect your air hose to the test cocks or any connection before the backflow preventer. The most popular way is to take a washer hose and cut one end off to attach a quick-connect air compressor tip to the open end of the hose using a hose clamp. Information to help prevent your pipes from freezing. However, that doesn’t mean that the sprinklers themselves don’t require their own maintenance. There are adapters sold specifically to make this connection as well. But, did you know that using an air compressor is one of the easiest ways to winterize sprinklers? Slowly open the valves one at a time and let the water run out, then close them when finished. Hiring a professional for this job is a once-a-year cost that’s well worth it. How Does a Backflow Preventer Help? We recommend the nationwide provider TruGreen. The trick is to have lower pressure (PSI) and higher air volume (CFM) to evenly and safely eject water and vapor from the water lines. Water meter key (for valves located in an underground valve box) Pliers There are three main methods of drainage depending on what type of sprinkler system you have. Turn off the valve between the backflow prevention device and the main line of your sprinkler system going underground to your system. 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. If you’re experienced, you can perform the following tasks: Turn off the isolation valve. On the backflow preventers, make sure not to block any air vents or drain outlets. Backflow Preventers The risks to drinking water quality from backflow contamination incidents pose a constant threat—whether they’re nuisance, non-health hazards, or serious public health events. The minimum volume an air compressor must be able to provide to properly blowout an irrigation system is 20 cubic feet per meter (CFM). Repeat this process for every zone, repeating zones if necessary. Other systems have components that will automatically drain the water once the main valve is shut off and the water pressure drops. Some systems have a “rain mode” that allows you to essentially power down the timer without losing any programmed information or settings. Consult an irrigation professional or seek additional help if needed. Once it's removed, drain all the water from it and store it someplace safe. The best way to prevent this is to properly protect your water lines by blowing them out every season before winter. 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