How To Winterize Your Sprinkler System

Winter is coming and its bound to freeze up everything. If there is water left behind in the sprinkler pipes, it may damage any plastic or metal in the system when it freezes and expands. The good news is that you can now winterize the sprinkler system with the right tools.

The best way to empty the pipes completely before winter is to blow it out your sprinklers. You can accomplish this with the use of compressed air blown into the underground system.

All sprinkler systems have a shut-off valve, which applies to every sprinkler head on the lawn. You can commonly find it at the basement or underground in a valve box. You may turn off the valve easily, but it may require a long, distinctive key to shut it off.

• If it does not turn easily, avoid forcing the valve as this may break instead.
• If you can no longer locate the key, it is best to contact the people who installed the device or the manufacturer for a replacement.
• If the system operates with a pump, drain this, remove and keep it indoors.
• If it isn’t the removable variety, wrapping it in insulated blanket before winter comes is recommended.

Sprinklers that run from community water commonly have either of the two following devices – The Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker or AVB, which is installed below each valve and should be purged along with the system, and the PVB’s or Pressure Vacuum Breaker, which may soften or melt if purged due to heat of the compressed air.

Draining a PVB is a lot more complicated. Referring to the manufacturer’s instruction is highly recommended before further actions.

Pressure and air volume are critical factors to ensure the removal of all water. The maximum pressure of compressed air for PVC tubing is 80 pounds per square inch or (psi) and 50 psi for polyethylene pipes.

To find the most suitable amount of compressed air, divide the gallons per minute by 7.5. The result will be the cubic feet per minute of compressed air necessary to purge the system.

Use a compressor with the ideal CFM of air with the correct PSI range. Attach the compressor line to the blowout valve. Exercise caution when doing the next steps. Wearing eye protection is also advisable. Loose fittings may unexpectedly pop out, thereby causing injuries.

Have the correct PSI and start the compressor. Blow out each zone with two blasts of compressed air, not too much as this may cause heat build-up. Too much pressure or heat may cause damage to the pipes that may worsen when winter comes.

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