Insulate your assets:
Shut off the water supply to the irrigation system. The main shut off valve for your irrigation system needs to be protected against freezing. Make sure it is wrapped with insulation (foam insulation tape and a plastic bag) to protect it from harsh winter temperatures and prevent it from freezing.
Also asked, when should I worry about sprinkler system freezing?
Sprinkler pipes and other components are at risk of freezing and breaking when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Immediate damage can occur to exposed pipes and sprinkler equipment with the first freeze of winter.
Secondly, what happens if you don’t winterize your sprinkler system? The Danger of Not Winterizing Your Sprinkler System If you forget to winterize your sprinklers, you run the risk that water will freeze in the irrigation valves, pipes and sprinkler heads. When water freezes, it expands causing the parts of your system to burst and destroying your sprinkler system.
In this regard, how do you insulate a backflow preventer?
Ready-Made Solution
- Place a ready-made insulation blanket or bag over the top of the backflow preventer unit.
- Loosen the bag so that it’s clear of drainage holes and air can flow through bottom of the bag.
- Tie the strings of the insulation bag below the backflow preventer.
How do I drain the water from my sprinkler system?
Manual Drain Valve
- Locate the manual drain valves situated downstream of each zone valve.
- Turn off the water supply by closing the main valve to the sprinkler system.
- Open all the manual drain valves for each zone in the system, and leave them open so that all the water drains from the pipes and sprinkler heads.
10 Related Question Answers Found
Should sprinkler valves be open or closed?
Make sure the sprinkler valve is closed, unless it’s the valve farthest from the main water source. You’ll want to leave this valve open and remove the sprinkler nozzle to allow air to escape when you turn on the water.
What month do you turn off sprinklers?
You should shut off your irrigation system just before temperatures in your region begin to dip below freezing at night. Don’t shut off your irrigation system too early. Often homeowners shut their systems down as soon as the fall season arrives because they believe that their lawn requires less water.
When should I blowout my sprinklers?
A sprinkler blowout is usually best done in October in the northern climate of the United States. When to turn off your sprinkler, however, can be a delicate balance of good timing and luck. Do it too early, and your lawn may lose precious water it needs to prepare for the winter.
At what temperature should you drain your sprinkler system?
So a good rule of thumb is when you see 32 degrees for the first time in the forecast, drain your sprinkler system as soon as possible.
How do I protect my sprinklers when freezing?
Shut off the water supply to the irrigation system. The main shut off valve for your irrigation system needs to be protected against freezing. Make sure it is wrapped with insulation (foam insulation tape and a plastic bag) to protect it from harsh winter temperatures and prevent it from freezing.
How much does winterizing sprinkler system cost?
Typical costs: Hiring a landscaping or sprinkler company to winterize/blow out a sprinkler system can cost $30-$160 or more, and typically costs about $55-$85 for an average home, depending on the number of irrigation zones in the system, the local cost of living and the month the work is done.
What happens if your sprinkler system freezes?
Freezing temperatures are one of the most common causes of damage to sprinkler systems. Frozen water expands, which can create tremendous pressure on pipes, manifolds and sprinkler heads. This pressure can cause serious damage to your irrigation system.
Will my sprinklers freeze at 20 degrees?
As a general rule, temperatures outside must drop to at least 20 degrees or lower to cause pipes to freeze.
What temperature is a hard freeze?
A hard freeze is a period of at least four consecutive hours of air temperatures that are below 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2°C).
Do I need to winterize my sprinkler system in Texas?
Winterizing Your Irrigation System. Now that the warm months are over, the chilly air of fall and winter is descending upon Texas. Depending on how much precipitation you receive during the winter months, you may not need to turn your irrigation system back on until late March or early April.