Once each sprinkler station is clear, switch off and disconnect the compressor. Copyright 2023 This Old House Ventures, LLC. In this case, youll have to cut the backflow preventer out manually. This is usually via a main valve near your water meter. Allowing the system to run in rain mode throughout the winter is usually safe and shouldnt run up your energy costs. If youre not comfortable doing this, or are unsure in any way, or even if its your first time, we recommend calling a professional to handle this method. Once the right fitting is found, though, its as simple as screwing the air compressor hose onto the tee fitting. The first freeze of the fall and winter is a sneaky nuisance for most homeowners looking to keep their plumbing and sprinkler systems working properly until spring arrives. Home Tools, Gear & Equipment Tools & Supplies Air Tools. Sprinklers keep your lawn looking great most of the year, but when autumn rolls along, take some time to empty and insulate them, so theyll be every bit as reliable next spring. TruGreen, in addition to its lawn care services, offers sprinkler repair and maintenance to homeowners throughout the country. By Steffani Cameron and Gretchen Heber and Bob Vila | Updated Nov 23, 2022 2:26 PM. Remember to shut off the compressor between each station switch. Chat with us on the forum! Divide the total GPM of each zone by 7.5 to find the proper CFM of air pressure for the compressor. Finally, insulate exposed pipes, and set all the valves in the proper position. Sort By. If possible, try renting different sizes and kinds of air compressors until finding one that works the best then purchase it so you dont have to rent it again every time you winterize. 126 Production Dr. Suite A Yorktown, VA 23693, Shut off the water supply to your irrigation system. Heres how it works. Not every sprinkler system is designed to handle this amount of pressure either, so the manual should also be consulted. Next, turn off the water supply to the sprinkler system and set the timer to open just one zone. It is not an acceptable practice to allow the compressor to fill the holding tank of the compressor and the closed mainline with high-pressure air, hoping the surge of excess pressure will compensate for the lack of compressor size and blow the line clean upon opening the sprinkler control valve. Doing it yourself can save you a great deal of money, and with every passing season, you will become more skilled at it. If youre not using potable water for irrigation, your system may not include a backflow device. Be careful not to blow air through the backflow device as this could damage it. The typical at-home air compressor might generate about the same force that a pros will, but it probably will not have the same volume as the professionals machine (most pros use a 10 cubic-feet-per-minute compressor). Now, release any remaining pressure in your sprinkler system using the valves on the backflow device, or via the manual drain valve. Its also possible that you have a rain mode, which stops the sprinklers without turning off the timer when you get precipitation during the regular season. Keep in mind, that even when used properly these arrangements can be affected by power outages. Local hardware stores usually offer foam insulation tape, foam pipe covers, and other winterizing protection. Lawn Sprinkler System Winterization Most sprinkling system piping is not below frost levels and therefore a risk of freezing. You can also use insulation tape for this. 5 tips to make your grill last longer and perform better, I test standing desks for a living and these are my top 5 picks for every budget, Apple's mixed reality headset is a make-or-break moment for VR and AR. A bit of trial and error is something necessary when the time to winterize rolls around, so dont be surprised if you have to make several trips to the hardware store to get everything working the right way. A ball valve will only turn a quarter of a turn in either direction and is open (or on) when the handle is in line with the flow of the pipe and it is closed (or off) when the handle cuts across the flow of the pipe. This is a dangerous practice that places very severe stress on all of the components of the system. If your system does NOT have an isolation valve then leave the backflow on and simply wrap it with insulation, towels, blankets or they even make an insulated weatherproof pouch for backflow devices that many of your local vendors may carry. Assuming that your sprinklers are relatively new and installed correctly with the irrigation pipes sloping downward toward the valves (where water can release at the lowest point in the system), gravity will guide nearly all the water out after youve relieved the pressure in the mainline. Drip systems use less water because water is applied at ground level where plants need it, reducing wasted run-off and wind scattered spray. She also covers smart home products too, so is the best point of contact for any household advice! Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Do you have icicles hanging from your house? Once its removed, drain all the water from it and store it someplace safe. They drain the water when the PSI is below 10PSI. There will be one ball valve at the bottom of the backflow and one ball on the side of the backflow. Air compressor, as mentioned above, preferably a 10 cubic-feet-per-minute model. Once the water stops spraying, switch off the compressor. This is a dangerous practice that places very severe stress on all of the components of the system. This is the most complicated and time-consuming draining method. By the way, it doesnt take much air pressure to blow out a sprinkler system. A PVB is the most commonly used residential backflow device in the city of Houston. Wearing goggles to protect your eyes, slowly release each valve to let the water drain until empty. If you have a gate valve (the kind of valve that turns your garden hose on and off) then simply turn the valve handle clockwise until it is hand tight. Slowly open the compressor valve, gradually adding additional air . Work through them quickly but carefully you dont want compressed air blowing through dry pipes for any longer than necessary. Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions | Copyright 2022 Sprinkler Warehouse, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Close off both valves on the backflow preventer. For this reason, experts recommend calling in a professional to take a further precaution that will release any last lingering water remaining in the sprinkler system: blowing out the pipes using an air compressor. When not working, youll find him on his board or bike enjoying the LA weather with his family and friends. Although you can always re-install it once its drained, thats usually a task best kept for the springtime. 3. Turn both of these valves so that they are halfway open, usually just a quarter turn. I usually do it at least three times, or until there is no more water coming out of the heads. Self-sticking insulating foam tape works best to insulate these pipes. Shut off the water supply to the irrigation system. Skill Level: Intermediate Estimated Cost: $53 to $121. To properly winterize your Houston-area backflow you MUST have an isolation valve. When you stop needing your sprinkler system in the late fall and winter, the latent water inside a backflow preventer can freeze and expand, breaking pipes and valves in the process. It is very easy, takes just a minute or two and all you will need is a small flat-head screwdriver. Do not run the compressor without at least one sprinkler control valve open. Irrigation backflow preventer devices are designed for installation on potable water lines to protect against both back-siphonage and back-pressure of contaminated water from sprinkler systems into the potable water supply. If your controller is responsible for activating a pump, as a precaution you should remove the wires that are connected to the MV (Master Valve) and common terminals. SKU: WK14-ZWFR. (Remember to reprogram it in the spring!) Since your main water supply is turned off, it is not necessary to fully close the ball joint valves on each side of your backflow preventer (doing so can actually increase the risk that small amounts of moisture will freeze inside the ball joints, causing the seal to break). Remember that once youve insulated all of your pipes and backflow preventers properly, you will be set for some time and wont need to repeat the process every single year. Just be aware that even the largest home compressor isnt powerful enough to blow out the entire system at once. In fact, too much pressure can damage the system. You may first have to remove some dirt from the valve box. Youll also need to determine the type of drain valve your system utilizes, as this dictates whether draining is automatic or manual. If youre into number crunching and you have the original irrigation layout showing the gallons per minute (GPM) of each sprinkler head, divide the total GPM of each zone by 7.5. But you can probably blow it out zone by zone, which is how I do it. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. The people who have the biggest trouble removing their backflow preventers are the ones whose system doesnt use union connections. To support this business model, This, The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our lawn recommendations with a. that we use to objectively score each provider. If the zone has a manual drain valve, open it up . You can also use insulation tape for this. Open the isolation valve (this is going to shoot water out of the test-cocks but that is okay, we want to let any air or debris in the line escape. First, shut off the water to the system. Using a small amount of. This includes shutting off the water supply at the backflow preventer as you prepare to drain the sprinkler system. If your system doesnt use potable water, it might not have a backflow preventer. To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at. Open the test cocks on your backflow device to enable the water to flow out. Complete DIY projects like a pro! Return both ball valves to the full open position (handles in line with the flow of the pipe). Follow this procedure for each manual drain valve on your systems mainline. You have questions, we have answers. Now that winter is fast approaching, you could benefit from learning how to winterize a sprinkler system. Locate this valves drain cap and open the valve to drain the last of the water left between the irrigation system and the backflow device. Finally, make sure that all the above-ground parts of the sprinkler system are properly insulated from the weather. Shut the backflow valve and then open the manual drain valve on the sprinkler system. If there is no tap or other convenient option present, install a tee fitting just past the mainline. After having my sprinkler system winterized, I noticed water leaking from the spigot. Essentially, the pipes are elevated so that they manually drain when you release a valve at the lowest point this could be at the end of the pipes. This is especially the case if your yard is subject to frost, and any sitting water can freeze and burst the pipes, resulting in costly repairs. In cold climates, occasional late and early season freezes occur and can damage your equipment. This is an important step as the air compressor can damage the backflow preventer. If so you definitely live in a Cold Climate area and will need to follow the winterization steps entirely. ), How to Winterize An Above Ground Pool The Ultimate Guide, How to Winterize an Intex Inflatable Pool, How To Winterize A Bestway Above Ground Pool, 5 Ways To Winterize Your Mobile Home And Save Money, 10 Easy Ways to Winterize Your Home Without Heat. If you havent already taken care of this, you need to do so now. If you have an anti-siphon valve, remove the whole valve. 4. Water Cost Savings (compared to hose or sprinkler delivery). And any water left behind can freeze, expand, and damage the sprinkler system. Other serious damages can also affect your irrigation system. Removing your irrigation systems backflow preventer and storing it for the season is a smart move when youre completing the other steps involved in winterization. This will prevent the possibility of the pump being accidentally activated which could cause damage from overheating. If your sprinklers have check valves make sure to raise them so that the water drains out. Wrap it around the backflow preventer, then use duct tape to secure a plastic bag around the whole thing. This final step is simple: youre going to want to insulate any exposed components. Anything smaller will make the job inefficient and may even make it impossible. Thats it!! Without proper preparation, your sprinkler system might be damaged by freezing temperatures. 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. Give your local irrigation professional a call and have an isolation valve installed for proper backflow winterization in the future. Hiring a pro to blow out a sprinkler system just isnt that expensive. Winterizing your sprinkler system is an important task that needs to be accomplished absolutely correctly. Can I Insulate the Backflow Preventer in My Lawn Irrigation System? Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Once you know what type of system you have, you can accomplish almost all the necessary winterization on your own with the information belowthough, of course, you should review the owners manual and keep it nearby for reference. Steffani Cameron, Gretchen Heber, Bob Vila. The first thing to do when beginning a sprinkler system winterizing project is to assess the best way to release water from your particular system. If youd like a free quote, fill out thisquick formor call1-866-817-2287to speak to a customer service representative. If there is no tap or other convenient option present, install a tee fitting just past the mainline. When the time to winterize your system rolls around, you will need to first shut off your water at the main valve. I turned the spigot to the off position and after about 30 minutes I noticed a slow leak coming from somewhere on top around the back flow area. This method is required if your manual drain valve is located at the lowest point. Particularly if you live in an area where ground temperatures dip below freezing, youll want to make sure that youve properly prepared the system for winter weather by draining out the water and insulating the sprinkler components. If your property is equipped with an .css-3wjtm9{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#1c6a65;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-3wjtm9:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}automatic lawn-sprinkler system, its been busy all summer keeping your grass lush and green. This means everything should be covered in insulation foam or tape, including the water supply shut-off valve, backflow preventers as well as any exposed pipes. 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. There are several ways to drain your pipes: a manual drain valve, an automatic drain valve or the compressed air blow-out method. Winterization is an important part of maintaining a properly running lawn sprinkler system. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. We review lawn care plans and packages, navigate the provider website and speak with customer service representatives, request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. Then, when you go to turn the irrigation system back on in the spring, youll be left scrambling to fix it! When done, go back and blow out each zone a second time. Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions | Copyright 2022 Sprinkler Warehouse, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Whichever method you choose, your sprinkler system should now be fully drained now youre ready to insulate. On each valve of the sprinkler system, locate the solenoid, which looks like a PVC cap with wires coming out of it, and loosen it by hand so air can flow inside the system. Then, you or a professional will blow the pipes clear with an air compressor. Please downloadtheRain Bird Homeowner's Guide to Winterizationfor detailed instructions on how to prepare your irrigation system for the winter months. 3. On mine, I switch it to standby mode. Insulate backflow preventers and valves if they are above ground. MPT x FPT with 1/8 in. 2. Dont worry. To determine the exact CFM your sprinkler system can handle, find the gallons-per-minute (GPM) rating of each sprinkler head. In the spring, simply turn off the rain mode and watering will resume like clockwork. Do you experience freezing? Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. It does not matter which ball valve handle you turn first. If you don't have insulation foam to hand, we recommend Frost King FV30 Foam and Foil Pipe Insulation ($15 at Amazon). Be sure to close the valves again afterwards. All Rights Reserved. Blue Heron Backflow Preventer Test Cock Winterization Blowout Fitting 1/4 in. Uh, Now What? Once this is done, water should drain out from each zone of the systems mainline. I included bonus preventative steps to ensure your backflow preventer won'. Just dont leave this chore unfinished a professional will be much cheaper than repairing the system! Use SUNDAY20TOH for $20 off the Smart Lawn Plan, honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services. Once you determine this, you can delve into the specifics. We repair many PVBs every year that were damaged from home owners, landscapers and even misinformed irrigators turning the backflow off in this manner. Theyre usually smaller than the regular valves and may require using a smaller flathead screwdriver. Those screws are closed in the left picture and open in the picture on the right. Now you need to remove the water from the pipes and sprinklers so that it won't freeze/expand and break the pipe. If your system has backflow preventing valves, then those need to be shut off too. If you do water during the winter then you will perform this winterization process before each freeze. For this step you will need to drain water out of any irrigation part that might freeze when subjected to freezing conditions. Now you will need to decide whether you need to use the Manual Drain Valve Method, the Automatic Drain Valve Method, or the Blow Out Method. You can use insulation on the exposed ends of the pipe to keep them safe from harm. If you don't, almost any part of the system can freezebursting pipes, cracking sprinkler heads, breaking valves or damage to the most expensive part of allthe backflow preventer, the big brass-and-copper . Houston, Texas is not known for its cold weather but anything more than a few hours below freezing can wreak havoc on your irrigation system because the backflow device, which must be a PVB or an RP within Houston city limits, is installed above ground. Following these steps can help you protect your backflow preventer device from freeze damage. Be sure not to block the air vents and drain outlets on backflow preventers. When the water draining from the device subsides, give the device a few light shakes to get a little more water out of the device. This is not true! It is always best to consult your personal landscaper, horticulturist, or Houston irrigation systems expert to find out what the winter water requirements are for your landscape before making this decision. Some sprinkler systems can automatically drain, which is very useful. SHOP FOR ALL IRRIGATION SUPPLIES ON SPRINKLER WAREHOUSE. At a minimum, you should use a 50 cubic feet per minute compressor to get the job done right. Generally speaking, dont go above 80 PSI on PVC piping or 50 PSI for polyethylene piping. You should also check your manual for direct guidance. I Dropped My Phone in Water. Shut off the water First, switch off the water supply to the system. If your system has backflow preventing valves, then those need . Step Three: First turn one ball valve to a forty-five degree angle and then turn the second ball valve to a forty-five degree angle so that your backflow looks like the one in the image on the lower right corner. After draining out most of the water from the sprinkler system, hook up an air compressor to blow the lines clear of any remaining water. . While the above steps should resolve any issues with freezing, some irrigation systems may require going the extra mile to remove as much water as possible from your system. All rights reserved. Remove the plug and screw in a brass quick-connect blow-out plug. The article above demonstrates how to winterize in cold climates and its easy to see that it doesnt have to be an impossible task. There are two types of controllers Solid State Controllers and Mechanical Controllers. A plus for gardens on municipal water systems. Some of these steps are easy to do on your own, but others require specialized machinery and the expertise of a professional. DO NOT turn the backflow off as this will significantly increase the chances of freeze damage and will usually result in a crack on the inside of the metal PVB body just above the first ball valve. Dont secure it too tightly just tight enough to keep it from blowing off. Theres a chance that youll be able to siphon water out of your irrigation systems risers. There are two main ways to go about this: One is to drain water from the valves, and the second is to use an air compressor to blow water out of the irrigation pipes. We discussed how to prevent pipes from freezing as well as the types of plumbing pipes most likely to freeze in other posts. Grab a bucket, open the drain, and let any remaining water drain from the line. 6. Although we will be outlining how a sprinkler system blowout works, it is best to have a professional perform this kind of work for you. Depending upon which type of controller you have you will either need to set the controller to rain modeor disconnected the power completely. Why Trust Us? How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes Using Home Remedies, Top 7 Houston Texas Landscaping Ideas for Every Taste, Easy Steps to a Trouble-Free Sod Installation in Houston, Texas, Definitive Guide to Safe and Effective Lawn Fertilization. One screw should be located near the irrigation shutoff valve, while the other is on the backflow preventer. You can also use foam insulating tubes just cut the tubes to size and wrap them around your pipes. If the appropriate air compressor is not available, please call an irrigation contractor. This lessens the chance that the system could over-pressurize. Blow out Sprinkler Line. There are usually two of these valves that lead into the backflow device; be sure to shut them both off. An alternative to using the rain mode is simply to shut off the power to the controller. How To Winterize A Sprinkler System With Backflow Preventer What you'll need: A flathead screwdriver Foam insulating tape Foam pipe covers How-to: Step 1: Shut The Main Valve Off Slowly shut the water off that's coming from the meter. Chat with us on the forum! Then remove the plug on the blow-out port, screw in a quick-connect hose adapter, and connect your compressor's air hose to the unit. Then put a threaded metal nipple and cap on the extra leg; you can use this as a connection to the air hose. The main shut-off valve, plus any exposed pipes or backflow preventers, should be wrapped in foam covers or insulation tape. The first thing you'll want to do before you start winterizing your sprinkler system is turn off the water. The most common misconception is that you should simply turn the backflow handles off and wrap the device up during the winter or when a hard freeze comes. Step 2 Follow the Hookup Procedure Close off both valves on the backflow preventer. Timothy is a lifelong DIY enthusiast who is fixated on smart home tech, beautiful tools, and wrenching on his FJ62 Land Cruiser. Things like; fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides and animal droppings are present on most all lawns as well as the surrounding areas. Here, we breakdown exactly what you need to do to winterize a sprinkler system. Buyers Guide: The Best Smart Sprinkler Controller, Angi estimates the cost to blow out a sprinkler system at $100 to $250, Garden Sprinklers for Every Yard: Our 15 Favorites, 11 Ways to Make the Most of Your Towns Curbside Cleanup Day, How to Replace a Sprinkler Head on an In-Ground Sprinkler System, How To: Install an Underground Sprinkler System, 6 Smart Ways to Prevent a Soggy Yard with Every Rain Shower. You will need to turn off the main shut-off valve and make sure that it is protected. If you plan to hire professionals to perform a blow-out, move on to Step 4. We recommend our users to update the browser. Thats it, your sprinkler system is now all set for winter. I like that I can close off the valve while the compressor builds up pressure between blowing out each zone.
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