Colorado is the most beautiful state in this great country. Even with all its beauty we have one thing that can cause a lot of damage - freezing temperatures.
This can cause serious damage to your sprinkler system! Everything varying from broken sprinkle heads, nozzles, lines, copper lines, ball valves, backflows, etc.
What do we reccomend?
The Blow Out Method
Be Careful! Wear safety eye protection!
The blow out method needs an air compressor with a CFM rating of 80 for most residential systems. Most of the time you can find these types of compressors at a local rental tool yard. Disclaimer: a small shop compressor will not have enough free air to winterize the system properly.
Then just follow these stpe below:
1. Attach the compressor to the mainline.
2. Begin the blow out, by shutting off the irrigation water supply and, with the compressor not running air, attach the air compressor hose to the fitting.
3. Activate a station on the controller. The station should be the largest, or highest in elevation.
4. Close the backflow ball valves.
5. Then slowly open the valve on the compressor; this should gradually introduce air into the irrigation system.
6. The blow out pressure should remain below the maximum operating pressure specification of the lowest pressure rated component on that zone and should NEVER exceed 80 PSI. If it goes above 80 PSI it may cause damage to your system!
7. Run each station or zone, working your farthest way to the compresor. Run each zone for approximately 2 minutes, ensuring all of the water is blown out of the line. Once the station is dry it is not good to have air be ran through the dry pipes.
*Never run the compressor without at least one irrigation control valve open.
WATCH OUT FOR THESE!
Do not allow the air pressure to exceed 80 PSI for systems with PVC piping and 50 PSI for systems with polyethylene piping.
Do not stand over component parts while the system is pressurized with air.
Do not leave the air compressor unattended.
Do not blow the system out through a backflow or pump. First blow out the system, then drain the backflow or pump.
Do not leave the manual drain valves open after the blow out.
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