FAQ: Why must I winterize my sprinkler system before the first freeze?
Answer: If you don’t winterize your in-ground water sprinkler, you risk water freezing and expanding in the pipes, which can lead to broken sprinkler heads, ruptured pipes, and flooding in your yard.

In this blog post, you’ll learn the following about winterizing your sprinkler system before the ground freezes for winter:

• The importance of winterizing your irrigation system now
• Essential tools and equipment for properly shutting off your sprinkler system
• How to close your sprinkler system
• Steer clear of these six mistakes when closing your sprinkler system.

The Importance of Winterizing Your Irrigation System Now

Sprinkler systems are a big investment that benefits your lawn and landscapes. To ensure that your irrigation system works seamlessly in the future, you must close off your system before the first freeze occurs.

When water reaches 32°F, it freezes, and the resulting ice expands in your pipes.

If you allow the water pressure to build with ice developing in your sprinklers, don’t be surprised when the pipes burst and the valves crack—your sprinkler heads and pump cases will also pop open.

Additionally, you’ll experience flooding in your lawn where the underground pipes open, which results in turf damage.

Essential Tools and Equipment for Properly Shutting Off Your Sprinkler System

If you choose to blow out your automatic sprinkler system, you’ll need the following tools and equipment:

• An air compressor with a capacity of 80-100 CFM (cubic feet per minute)
• A coupler that matches your sprinkler system
• Safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying parts.

How to Close Out Your Sprinkler System

There are three ways to close out your sprinkler system for the winter:

• The blow-out method
• The automatic drain method
• The manual drain method.

You’ll use an air compressor to “blow out” the water from your water sprinklers for the blow-out method. After you put on your safety glasses, you connect your compressor to the irrigation system using the coupler.

TheHomeDepot.com breaks down this method into two parts. The first part goes as follows:

• Turn off the water supply and connect the air compressor to your irrigation system using the appropriate coupler. Do not send compressed air directly through the backflow preventer.
• Activate the sprinkler zone that is farthest and highest from the compressor.
• Shut the valves on the backflow device to prevent damage.
• Slowly open the compressor valve to begin sending air into the system.
• Increase air pressure gradually so you can quickly stop if needed.
• Continue until water starts coming out of the sprinkler heads.
• Keep pressure within safe limits—no more than 80 PSI for PVC pipes or 50 PSI for polyethylene pipes.
• Stand clear of active sprinkler heads to avoid injury during the blowout process.

Once the water starts spraying from the active sprinkler head, follow these steps:

• Work through each sprinkler head, starting with the one farthest from the compressor and moving closer.
• Turn off each sprinkler head as soon as the water spray stops.
• After draining all the sprinkler heads, disconnect the air compressor.
• Release any remaining air pressure from the system.
• Open and close the backflow and manual drain valves to ensure any trapped air escapes.
• Double-check that all valves are securely closed before finishing.

You may prefer to employ the automatic drain method to close out your irrigation system for the winter. When you use this method, your irrigation system will have an auto drain system connected to it. The automatic drain method automatically drains water from your system’s pipes.

The water pressure must fall below a fixed PSI, pounds per square inch. Here are the steps for the automatic drain method:

• Shut off the water supply.
• Activate a sprinkler head momentarily to release any built-up pressure.
• Allow the automatic drainage process to start, emptying the pipes of leftover water.

Check the area between the shut-off valve and the backflow preventer, ensuring all water drains. If the sprinkler heads have check valves, empty each one separately.

The manual drain method is the third option for winterizing your automatic sprinkler system. You can empty the excess water via a valve. Follow these steps for manually draining your irrigation system:

• Turn off the water supply to the system.
• Locate the manual valves at the low points and ends of the pipes.
• Open all the valves to release the water from the system.
• Be sure to drain the backflow preventer as well.

Some sprinkler heads may have check valves, which only allow water to flow in one direction. If your system includes these, lift the sprinkler heads to help release any trapped water. After draining the entire system, close all the valves securely.

Steer Clear of These 6 Mistakes When Closing Your Sprinkler System

Unfortunately, taking shortcuts or neglecting to insulate exposed sprinkler parts over the winter may damage or break the system.

Here are six common mistakes many homeowners make while closing their sprinkler system for the winter.

1. Low air pressure will prevent you from completely emptying the water from your system, resulting in water freezing in the pipes.
2. Too much air pressure will also damage your irrigation system.
3. Not all air compressors are the same; you must ensure the one you’re using has the correct psi to blow water out of your irrigation system.
4. To drain your sprinkler system correctly, you need more than air pressure; you also need high volume with low pressure.
5. If you forget to drain the zones fully, you risk ice expanding and causing damage
6. If you skip insulating exposed sprinkler system parts in the winter, you again will have ice forming and causing damage.

Contact a K-Rain’s Premier Contractor Today to Winterize Your Sprinkler System

While you can close your K-Rain Sprinkler System yourself, you may prefer a pro to do the work. Then, you don’t need to worry about any leftover water in your system.

At K-Rain, we prequalify landscape and irrigation contractors in your area. Fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment to winterize your K-Rain sprinkler system with one of our contractors.

Sources:
BerardiIrrigation.com, Why Homeowners in Massachusetts Need to Winterize Sprinklers Before the First Freeze.
Extension.ColoState.edu, Home Sprinkler Systems: Preparing Your Sprinkler System for Winter.
GreenMountainTurf.com, Can I Blow Out My Sprinkler System?
HomeDepot.com, How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System.
NaturesHelperInc.com, How to Prevent Sprinkler Pipes from Freezing.