Do you have a sprinkler system in your yard or garden? If you do, it needs special care to be at its best during the winter. Otherwise, too much pressure in the pipes can cause scouring.
While a sprinkler system is expected to last up to 20 years, many common sprinkler problems exist, and it can be challenging to identify them. The winter can freeze your irrigation system, and water won’t flow properly, leading to valve failure. Plus, your property is vulnerable to frost heave without a proper winterization system for your home.
So how can you winterize your sprinkler system? Keep reading for the expert info you need to prepare your sprinklers for the cold weather.
Switch Off The Water
Suppose you want to avoid costly repairs to your sprinkler system. In that case, it’s essential to winterize it before the cold weather sets in.
The first thing you can do is turn off the water supply. You can do this by shutting off the main valve to your sprinkler system.
Drain The Water From The Pipes
If you live in an area where the temperatures tend to get cold enough to freeze water, you must take some precautions to winterize your sprinkler system. The most important thing to do is drain the water from the pipes. Then open all of the valves and sprinkler heads in the system. Let all of the water drain out until the system is dry.
Make sure to remove any backflow preventers or valves. Then open the ends of the lateral pipes to release any remaining water.
Cover the Mainline Pipe
If you are expecting a harsh winter, make sure to cover the mainline pipe to winterize your sprinkler system. This will protect the line from freezing and bursting.
You’ll need to purchase a pipe cover or wrap to do this. Alternatively, you can also use insulation or a tarp.
Lastly, protect your lateral pipes from freezing by using soil to cover them up. Be sure to secure the cover or wrap so it doesn’t blow away in the wind.
Reattach a Backflow Preventer or Valve and Do A Test
After following the previous steps, you can go ahead and reattach everything back together from the backflow preventers to the valves. You can then switch the water back on the main valve. Remember to test your system to ensure everything is working.
You can follow these steps to winterize your sprinkler system or hire professionals. When hiring professionals, you can check out different websites like Localsprinklers.com as their services will suit your needs.
Get Your Sprinkler System Ready for The Winter Season
If you want to avoid costly repairs and disruptions to your landscaping, it’s important to winterize your sprinkler system. You can even go the extra mile and add an antifreeze solution to your system.
By winterizing your system, you will extend the life of your system and avoid having to replace it prematurely. Contact a qualified irrigation professional to help winterize your irrigation system to get the most out of it.
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