Failing to winterize your irrigation system can damage your pipes.
Winter is coming! In order to minimize the risk of freeze damage, you’ll need to winterize your irrigation system. Even if you’ve already drained the water from your irrigation system, some water that remains can freeze, expand and cause cracking to occur. Here are a few steps you should take to winterize your irrigation system.
Initial Steps
- The first thing you should do when anticipating freezing weather is turn off your main water supply to the irrigation system. You should also make sure that backflow devices, valves, filters, pressure regulators, pipes, sprinklers, drip hoses and drippers are free of water.
- Once the main water supply is shut down, run the timer/controller through the normal watering cycle, allowing each of the valves to open and relieve water pressure on the main line. Then turn off the controller or set it to rain off position.
- Leave the system off and drained during the height of winter. Use your hose to water plants as needed, although there is usually enough moisture in the ground to sustain plants during winter.
Draining Your Irrigation System
When manual valves are located at the end and low points of the irrigation system, use the manual drain method. Simply shut off the irrigation water supply and open all manual drain valves. Then open the boiler drain valve or drain cap and waste valve once all the water has drained from the mainline. Pull up sprinklers to allow water to drain from the bottom of the sprinkler body. Close all the manual valves once all the water has drained out.
Automatic Drain Method
Automatic drain valves will automatically open and drain water if the pressure in the piping is less than 10 PSI. Shut off the irrigation water supply to activate these. Repeat the rest of the steps the same as you would with manual drain valves.
Irrigation, Outdoor Lighting, and Drainage from Aqua-Bright
For more information about outdoor lighting, irrigation, and drainage for your Maryland home, call Aqua-Bright today at 410-489-9009 or take a tour of our website. We offer top notch irrigation services from seasoned professionals. You can follow Aqua-Bright Irrigation & Illumination on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn for more updates and information about our illumination and irrigation services! For examples of our work, check us out on Pinterest, too.