As the seasons change, most homeowners complete a checklist of items to prepare for winter. What’s on your list? Did you remember to include winterizing your sprinkler system in Burlington County, NJ? This step is essential for the health and longevity of your system.
It’s also essential to do this process properly to avoid damage to your irrigation system, as well as to prevent personal injury. Following are the three main types of winterizing procedures available.
Manual Drain Method
If your manual valves are located at the end of your irrigation piping and at a low point, you can use a manual drain method. First, shut off the water supply to your system. Then, open all the manual drain valves.
When the water has finished draining from the lines, open the boiler drain valve to drain the rest of the water that is trapped near the backflow device. For sprinklers with check valves, you must next pull the sprinklers up to allow additional water to drain out.
This method is fairly simple; however, it can leave some water trapped in the piping, sprinklers and backflow, which poses a risk to your system when freezing temperatures arrive.
Automatic Drain Method
Your system may include automatic drains if the valves are located in low points at the end of your piping. If your piping pressure reaches less than 10 PSI, these automatically open and drain water. If you need to activate these drains, simply shut off the irrigation water supply.
After the water has drained from the mainline, drain the water from the irrigation water shut off valve and the backflow device by opening the boiler drain valve. As with the manual method, this process could leave water in your backflow, piping and sprinklers.
Blow-out Method
This method uses a compressor to blow out all remaining water from your system. First, shut off the irrigation water supply. Then, attach the air compressor hose to the system. Starting with zones in the highest elevation, blow out each zone by activating each station on the controller.
You should also begin with the zone farthest from the compressor and work your way toward the compressor. Close the backflow isolation valve, then slowly open the compressor valve. Expect to run each zone for approximately two minutes. At the end of this period, no water should be seen exiting the heads.
This method effectively removes all water from your system for winter. It protects your sprinklers from frozen water which can crack the piping and cause severe damage to your sprinkler system in Burlington County, NJ. To ensure this method is done properly, contact a professional. The high pressure used can be hazardous if not handled properly.
Contact the Pros for Winter Protection
Are you working on your winter checklist? To complete a winter blow-out or other winterizing for your sprinkler system in Burlington County, NJ, contact the irrigation experts at Star Sprinkler Systems Inc. Our experienced technicians will complete your winterization quickly and efficiently, providing peace of mind for the winter season.