Why Winterize Your Sprinklers Video

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Yep it's finally finished -- the Winterization Video. 

I had the privilege to go out with one of our winterization teams and winterize several systems.  I have not seen this process so it was a real education for me. 

The first thing they did was turn off the water source and hookup the compressor.  The compressor fitting hooked into the quick coupler key, which fit into the quick coupler valve for easy access to the pipes.  The quick coupler valve is normally found in a round valve box.  Once this is all hooked up, each zone was turned on at either the controller or at each valve box.

I didn't realize what the sprinklers would look like when our technicians pushed all that compressed air through the sprinkler pipes to the sprinklers.  The sprinklers look normal at first and then they become all mystified and a bit scary, and then all you hear is air pushing up the sprinkler head, then it's time to do the next zone.  You keep doing the same process until all the zones are done and you turn the controller to the "off" position.

Thank you to David and Dustin for allowing me to tag along and ask so many questions.   

9 Steps to Winterizing Your Sprinkler System

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Hire a Professional to Winterize your Sprinkler System

A trained professional will be able to drain all the water from your system using a winterization blow out method – air compressor.  This method ensures that you will not have any extra water in the irrigation lines, valves, and sprinkler heads that can freeze resulting in breaks and damage to your system.

Generally, there are two types of systems: one that is automatically controlled with a clock and one that is controlled manually at each valve.  I will explain both winterization methods.

Caution:  If you attempt this on your own, wear protective eye protection and never stand over irrigation pipes, sprinklers, or valves during this process.  The manual drain valve or drain cap is pressurized and can cause injury if opened before the pressure is relieved.

For the automatic system, the technician will:

1. Close the mainline shutoff valve.
   
2. Activate a zone furthest from the air connection using the controller.
   This will relieve the water pressure on the mainline.  (Always keep a zone valve open from the time he/she starts the compressor to shut down.)
   
   
   
   
3. Attach the compressor hose to the quick coupler valve using the quick coupler key.
4. Set the pressure regulating valve on the compressor to 50 psi.
   
   
   
   
5. Turn on the compressor, gradually increasing the airflow until all the sprinkler heads pop up in that zone (be sure not to go over 2 min per zone.)
6. Switch to the next zone using the controller (never turn off the controller during the process).  Repeat until all zones have been blown out.
7. Repeat the cycle two or more times activating each zone until only a fine mist emerges from the heads.
8. Once he/she is done blowing out all zones, the technician will leave one zone on while turning off the compressor. 
9. Unhook the compressor from the mainline and turn the controller to the OFF position.

For the manual system, the technician will:

1. Close the mainline shutoff valve.
2. Open the manual shutoff handle on one of the irrigation zone control valves to relieve the water pressure on the mainline (Always keep a zone valve open from the time the compressor starts to shut down.)
3. Attach the compressor hose to the quick coupler valve using the quick coupler key.
4. Set the pressure regulating valve on the compressor to 50 psi.
5. Turn on the compressor, gradually increasing the airflow until all the sprinkler heads pop up in that zone (be sure not to go over 2 min per zone.)
6. Open the next control valve to winterize before turning off the control valve you just blew out.   Repeat until all zones have been blown out.
7. Repeat the cycle two or more times activating each zone until only a fine mist emerges from the heads.
8. Once he/she is done blowing out all zones, the technician will turn off compressor to allow any air in irrigation components to disperse before disconnecting the air hose or valves.    
9. Unhook the compressor from the mainline.

Why Use a Rain and Freeze Sensor on your Sprinkler System?

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With our Washington weather, you never know if the weather will be freezing out or sunny one minute and rainy the next. 

Have peace of mind knowing you are:

•       Watering when it’s nice outside, not raining or freezing out
•       Preventing overwatering
•       Conserving water
•       Saving money on water bills   
•       Preventing possible hazards

Rain Sensor:

With a rain sensor, you can have security knowing that you are only watering when it’s needed.  The sensor has a removable tipping rain bucket that measures the rainfall.  You can adjust the sensor to automatically stop watering when the bucket is filled to an 1/8" up to 3/4".

Rain/Freeze Sensor Combo:

The Rain/Freeze sensor is programmable.  Most people set it at 35 degrees to turn off the system.  This helps prevent possible hazards to pedestrians with icy sidewalks and damage to your sprinkler system and landscape. 

Either the Rain Sensor or Rain and Freeze Sensors connect to most sprinkler controllers.  It’s not too late to install the sensor this year.