When should I have my irrigation system blown out?

When temperatures start to fall, it’s time to consider winterizing your sprinkler system. Your lines must be drained or blown out using an air compressor before the first hard freeze. A hard freeze is when the outdoor air dips below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

What happens if sprinklers are blown out?

Professional Sprinkler Blow Out Too much pressure can cause damage to the valves or piping and using a small shop compressor will result in it not having enough “free” air to properly winterize the system.

What happens if sprinklers don’t get blown out?

If an irrigation system isn’t properly winterized, water will be left in the pipes all winter. When temperatures get below freezing, the water will freeze and expand in the pipes, which could cause cracks in the pipe or on the fittings.

How long does a home irrigation system last?

about 20 years
Generally speaking, the life expectancy of a sprinkler system is about 20 years, on average. As for its components taken separately, good quality heads will last you anywhere between 10 to 15 years, while inexpensive ones will only be good for 2 or 3 years.

Do my sprinklers need to be blown out?

Most lawn sprinkler developers recommend the air blow out system to winterize an irrigation system. Forcing air through the valves, pipes and sprinkler heads completely rids the system of water. If you’re a DIY’er, you’ll need an air compressor that’s able to put out the right air volume and pressure at the same time.

Is draining sprinklers enough?

But simply shutting down your sprinkler system isn’t enough — you must also completely drain the water from the system to prevent it from freezing, expanding and cracking your underground pipes.

Can sprinklers be blown out in snow?

A little snow won’t hurt though. Just don’t let it run and freeze sprinkler heads or put ice on walkways, etc. If the temps go down to 28 or so, I have an insulation cover for the pipes/backflow valve that is above ground.

What to do if your irrigation system blows out?

Following a few key steps will ensure your lines are blown out safely. Shut off the main valve that supplies water to your sprinklers. The valve is usually near where the pipe exits the house to the sprinkler valves. Turn the valve clockwise to stop the flow of water.

What are the symptoms of an irrigation system problem?

Problems with an irrigation system typically make themselves evident with several common symptoms: Individual sprinkler heads not working Low water pressure at the sprinkler heads Sprinkler zones do not turn on Leaking around a zone valve Leak at the sprinkler head furthest from the valve

How does an automated irrigation system get power?

Automated irrigation systems make use of solenoid valves, which open and close to release water to your pipes and sprinklers. Power to the solenoid coils is supplied from the controller through cabling, with each station having its own cable and a shared common wire.

Where is the backflow device on a lawn irrigation system?

The backflow device is normally located above ground, just above where the water pipe descends down to the valves that split the water into separate sources. A more serious cause is when there is a water pipe leak somewhere along one of the underground irrigation lines.

Why is it important to remove water from irrigation system?

Sprinkler systems that have water left inside the pipes can freeze even during light frosts, leading to potentially catastrophic damage to your pipe, sprinkler heads and valves. To prevent this damage, it’s important to remove as much water as possible from inside the irrigation pipes.