Before the first freeze, it is essential to winterize a sprinkler system. Just draining water out of the system is not enough. Any water that remains in the piping will freeze and expand and crack the PVC piping.

While polyethylene pipe is more flexible and is able to expand under pressure, water left behind could still freeze and rupture the pipe walls. Any water that is left in the backflow assembly can damage the internal components and could crack the brass body. This is why it is important to winterize a sprinkler system.

Winterize Sprinkler System Method #1: Manual Drain Method

This is used when manual valves are located at the end and low points of the irrigation piping.

1Shut off irrigation water supply located in the basement. This will either be a gate/globe valve, ball valve or stop and waste valve.

2Open all the manual drain valves.

3After water has been drained from the mainline, open the boiler drain valve OR the drain cap on the stop and waste valve. This will drain the water that is left from the shut off valve to the backflow device.

4Open test cocks on backflow device.

5If sprinkler has a check valve, pull up on the sprinkler to allow water to drain out of the bottom of the sprinkler.

6Be sure to drain all the water from the backflow, piping and sprinklers.

7Close manual drain valves.

Winterize Sprinkler System Method #2: Automatic Drain Method

This is used when drain valves are located at the end and low points of the irrigation piping. They will automatically open and drain water when the pressure in the piping is less than 10 PSI.

1Activate valves by shutting off the irrigation water supply found in the basement.

2Activate a station to relieve the system pressure.

3After water has been drained from the mainline, open boiler drain valve or drain cap, depending on the type of shut of valve.

4Drain remaining water between irrigation water shut off valve and the backflow device.

5Open test cocks on backflow device.

6Pull up on sprinklers to drain if they have check valves.

7Be sure to drain all the water from the backflow, piping and sprinklers.

Winterize Sprinkler System Method #3: Blow-Out Method

Consider hiring a qualified licensed contractor to winterize a sprinkler system with this method. This method uses an air compressor with a Cubic Foot per Minute (CFM) rating of 125 to 185 for any mainline of 2” or less and a PSI of 50 to 80. You can rent a compressor.

1Attach the compressor to the mainline with a quick coupler or hose bib located before the backflow device.

2Open the test cocks on the vacuum breaker.

3Shut off the irrigation water supply.

4Open the drain on the supply line.

5Once line is drained, close the drain.

6Connect the air line.

7Attach the air compressor hose to the fitting.

8Activate the station on the controller of the sprinklers in the highest in elevation and furthest from the compressor.

9Do not close the backflow isolation or test cock valves.

10Slowly open the valve on the compressor to gradually allow air to enter into the irrigation system.

11Air pressure should be a constant 50 PSI.

12If sprinkler heads do not pop up and seal, increase the air until they do.

13Air pressure should NOT EVER go over 80 PSI.

14Activate each station from the furthest station from the compressor and slowly work your way to the compressor.

15Activate each station until you do not see water exiting from the heads. This will take around two to four minutes per station.

16Once station is dry, do not continue blowing out air as this can cause friction, which will create heat damage.

17Shut down the air compressor and release air pressure.

18Disconnect the air line.

19If backflow device has a ball valve, open and close the isolation valves on the backflow device several times.

20Leave isolation valves open at a 45 degree angle.

21Leave the test cocks open.

Remember, it is recommended that you hire someone to do professionally winterize a sprinkler system with this method.

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