If you have a sprinkler system installed for irrigation around your home, you will have to prepare it for winter months in the fall. This includes blowing the system out to remove any water and prevent damage from freezing. You may also have to reconnect a backflow prevention device in the spring to begin using the system again. Here are four things that you will want to know about preparing your sprinkler system for the winter:
1. Shutting Off The Service And Disconnecting The Backflow Prevention Device
The first things that you will want to do is disconnect the backflow prevention device and shut off the service valve to the system. There is a valve with a handle that you can use to turn off the main service to your sprinkler system. You will want to close this valve before you continue with some of the other steps of winterizing your sprinkler system.
2. Blowing Out Your System To Remove Water For The Winter
You will be able to blow out your sprinkler system with an air compressor connected to valves on the backflow prevention device. You will want to connect a small compressor to the valve and then go through the different stages of your sprinkler controller to blow out all the water in the entire system with air. This will prevent any problems with freezing and burst pipes during the winter months.
3. Installing Caps On Exposed Valves, Sprinkler Heads And Other Parts
You may have some valves or distribution boxes that are at the ground level. You want to go make sure you close and cap off any of these things. If you have plastic sprinkler heads, you may want to remove them and replace them with caps to store them in a safe place and prevent any damage over the winter months.
4. Insulating Parts To Get Extra Protection From Winter Freezing
The backflow prevention valve, distribution boxes and other components of your system can be vulnerable to winter freezing. You may want to insulate these parts to add extra protection. For any buried valves or manifolds, putting a piece of fiberglass insulation over them can protect them from freezing. If there are any exposed pipes, you may want to cover them with insulation and tape it up with duct tape. You can also leave the valves open to allow any excess water to drain out if they do freeze.
These are some things that you want to know about preparing your sprinkler system in the winter. If you need help with repairs or winterizing your system, contact a professional sprinkler service, like Heads Up Sprinkler Systems, to get the help you need for your system.
