Get your sprinkler system ready for winter in the right way!
An irrigation system is a valuable and helpful addition to almost any garden or landscaping. During the winter, frost freezes the soil, and if the frost reaches down in the ground where the irrigation system is, it can cause damage. This damage happens if any water left in the system freezes, so winterization is an important part of yearly maintenance each fall. Depending on the type of sprinkler system you have, there are different ways to drain out the water and winterize your system.
Manual
An irrigation system that has a manual drainage system is fairly easy to drain. In these systems, there are manual valves at the low points and the ends that you must manually open after you shut off the water supply. Make sure you open all the valves, and if your system has check valves, raise the sprinkler heads as well. Once the system is empty, close all the vales again.
Automatic
If your irrigation system has automatic valves, this job could also be very easy. These systems have valves that automatically drain the water when the pressure drops below a certain threshold. To do this, disconnect the water supply and open one of the sprinkler heads. The pressure will fall and the automatic valves will activate. You may still have to drain water between the shut-off valve and the backflow device. You will also have to drain the check valves on the sprinkler heads if your system has them.
Blow-Out
Finally, a third method is to blow out any remaining water with compressed air. The air pushes the water out through the sprinkler heads, but it can be potentially dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing (as any high-pressure device could be). It could also result in costly damage if your irrigation system isn’t the type that can be blown out. If you’re not sure, it will always be better to consult a professional before you try it yourself. To blow out an irrigation system, you will need an air compressor, a coupler, and safety goggles. Shut down the water supply, connect the air compressor to the system, and open the sprinkler station that is highest and furthest away. Make sure the backflow valves are closed, then open the valve on the compressor. Once the furthest head stops spraying water, open the other heads down the line and repeat. Finally, disconnect the air compressor and open and close the backflow valves to release pent up air.
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For the past thirteen years, Edwards Lawn and Home has been offering premier residential and commercial services to improve your property all year long. The options are endless from a new patio to a backyard fire pit, let the winners of Angie’s List Super Service Aware serve you! If you’re interested in finding out more about our services or getting a quote, you can contact us online or give us a call at 443-341-6539. For more information about our services or DIY tips and tricks follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Houzz.