Table of Contents
How do I prepare my sprinkler system for winter?
Steps for Winterizing Your Sprinkler System Step 1: Shut Off the Water. It will come as no surprise that the first step is turning off the water to the system with a main valve that’s usually found near your water meter. Step 2: Turn Off the Timer. Step 3: Drain the Water. Step 4: Insulate Above-Ground Components.
Can I winterize my sprinkler system myself?
You can winterize a sprinkler system without an air compressor if all of your irrigation lines are buried at a slight downhill slope. Simply shut off the main water supply to your system and open the drain valves at the end of each zone.
Should you leave sprinkler valves open in winter?
Manual valves should be left in the open position throughout winter to prevent repressurization. Some sprinkler heads have both side and bottom pipe inlets. If you use the side inlet, install a drain valve on the bottom inlet to prevent the case from freezing.
Should I run my sprinklers before a freeze?
It is best to turn on your system during the warmest time of the day when anticipating freezing conditions. Be sure the outside temperature is 37 degrees or above when you run your system. You ABSOLUTELY do not want to run your sprinkler system during a hard freeze as this will cause damage to your irrigation system.
How cold is too cold for sprinklers?
While you may be eager to get your lawn back to its pristine green state, it is important to remember that temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower put your sprinkler system at risk of freezing.
How do I bleed my sprinkler system?
Bleed your sprinkler system to avoid any potential problems. Bleeding, or “winterizing” your home’s sprinkler system is one way to protect your sprinkler system from freezing during winter. An easy way to do this is by draining the pipes and then blowing it out to dry with an air compressor.
How long does it take sprinkler pipes to freeze?
With a reasonable amount of insulation, even pipes in an unheated area could take up to 6-hours to freeze. This means that the air temperature has to remain at 20° for about 6-hours before there’s a risk of your pipes freezing.
What psi should I blowout my sprinklers?
Air pressure must not exceed 50 pounds per square inch (psi) during the blow out procedure. A pressure-regulating valve must be used to avoid over pressurization of the system. Air volume should be high and air pressure low.
What is the best time to turn on sprinklers?
Agricultural experts tend to agree that watering is best done very early in the morning, starting at or before dawn and concluding around 8 a.m. before air heats for the day. Cool morning hours let water absorb while providing time for the excess to evaporate.
How do I stop my sprinkler pipes from freezing?
To keep the water inside the pipes of a wet fire sprinkler system from freezing in areas where the temperature may drop below 50 degrees, an antifreeze loop is added. By adding antifreeze to the water in the fire sprinkler pipes, the freezing point is much lower, reducing the risk of the pipes freezing.
At what temperature should you stop watering grass?
Most lawn experts recommend watering your grass until the soil or ground temperature reaches the 40-degree Fahrenheit mark.
Should you water grass before a freeze?
You’ll need to water early in the day to avoid creating a sopping wet mess right before temperatures start dropping. When watering, try to do it without getting any of the actual foliage wet. Wet leaves will form frost that kills faster than just the cold air alone.
Is it too cold to water grass at 55?
Any temperature below 40℉ is too cold to use sprinklers to water your lawn. Although air temperatures are still above freezing, water droplets clinging to grass blades will be exposed to wind chill or colder nighttime temperatures, which may freeze them solid. This can result in brittle, frozen grass.
Should you water lawn winter?
Occasional rain or snow should provide enough moisture to maintain both warm-season and cool-season lawns through the winter. If rainfall is not sufficient, you’ll need to water during the winter to maintain a healthy lawn.
How do I know if my sprinklers are self draining?
Depending on the type of drain valve your system utilizes, draining could be truly automatic, or it could be manual, requiring that you pull a few levers to get things moving. One way to tell if your system is manual-draining is if your sprinkler heads have check valves on them.
Will pipes freeze at 28 degrees?
Pipes can freeze at 32 degrees or below, but it will take a sustained period of time for this to happen. In other words, a pipe needs to be at freezing temperatures for at least half a day before homeowners have to worry about any freezing occurring.
Can pipes freeze and not burst?
Frozen pipes do not always burst, if the expanding ice can push water out through an open faucet. However, pipes freeze quite quickly, so the time between freezing and bursting can be very short.
