How to Winterize a Sprinkler System and Backflow Preventer
- Step 1: Turn off Water to the System Your sprinkler system will have piping branching off your main water line. ...
- Step 2: Drain Water from Backflow Preventer Now it’s time to take care of your backflow preventer. ...
- Step 3: Drain Water from Sprinkler Pipes ...
- Step 4: Blowout the Pipes with Air Compressor ...
- Step 5: Insulate Exposed Pipes and Set the Valves ...
How do you insulate a backflow preventer?
After drainage of the preventer and the entire irrigation system, you may wish to insulate certain parts of the system, including the preventer, to further protect them from the harsh weather. Wrap R-11 fiberglass insulation all around the components of the backflow preventer, being careful not to cover the drain outlets and air vents of the unit.
How do you winterize a sprinkler backflow preventer?
Winterize a Sprinkler System Through a Backflow Preventer. There is a great deal of misinformation out there as to how to properly winterize your backflow to avoid a frozen backflow preventer. The most common misconception is that you should simply turn the backflow handles off and wrap the device up during the winter or when a hard freeze comes.
How do I Stop my sprinkler system from leaking water?
STEP 1: Turn off the main water supply and if present, the backflow preventer. First, turn off the main water supply, often found near your water meter. If your sprinkler has manual drain valves, also shut off the valves on the backflow preventer.
How do I prepare my sprinkler system for cold weather?
To avoid this, follow the steps below to prepare your system for the cold: 1 Turn off and drain water supply to the system 2 Drain water from the backflow preventer 3 Drain water from sprinkler pipes 4 Blow compressed air into the system to further clear the water 5 Insulate exposed pipes and properly set the valves
How to prevent backflow?
How to keep fiberglass insulation from getting wet?
Why do you loosen a bag?
What is the purpose of placing insulation in a valve manifold?
Can insulation bags fly off of a preventer?
When did Whitney Houston start writing?
See 3 more
About this website
Can you insulate a backflow preventer?
The easiest way to winterize backflow preventers is to purchase something with which to insulate it. There are insulating bags, sometimes called blankets, on the market that will fit on small backflow valves for less than $100.
Do I need to insulate backflow preventer?
Pressure device assembly systems and backflow devices help keep pollutants from irrigation systems and keep potable water supplies safe. Backflow preventers can freeze when temperatures drop below freezing, though, so insulating them ahead of time is a wise idea.
How do you winterize irrigation backflow?
Turn off water to the backflow preventer. Most have an isolation shutoff valve located below ground before the backflow preventer. Open test cocks on the backflow preventer to drain all the water from it. Once water is drained, close both shutoff valves with a one-quarter counterclockwise turn.
How do I insulate my sprinkler system?
First, shut off the water supply that runs to the irrigation system. The main shut off valve for your sprinkler system needs protection against freezing, so wrap it with insulation such as a plastic bag and foam insulation tape. This protects it from the severity of winter and prevents it from freezing.
Should I cover my backflow preventer in winter?
Once again; if you do not have an isolation valve then leave the backflow device alone (do NOT turn it off) and simply wrap it up during the freeze. Give your local irrigation professional a call and have an isolation valve installed for proper backflow winterization in the future.
How do you wrap a backflow?
0:503:45How to Wrap an Irrigation Backflow Preventer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSomething that you can also use if you don't have the ability to run to the hardware store is youMoreSomething that you can also use if you don't have the ability to run to the hardware store is you can use an old hooded sweatshirt an old sweatshirt towel.
What temperature will backflow preventer freeze?
Unfortunately, backflow preventers have precise and integral components that can be easily damaged by the forces of frozen water. Be prepared to protect your backflow preventers when the temperature drops below 32 degrees…or be prepared to repair and replace all the valves in your system.
Can you winterize sprinkler system without blowout?
Not all systems need to have the water blown out of them. You can winterize a sprinkler system without an air compressor if all of your irrigation lines are buried at a slight downhill slope. Simply shut off the main water supply to your system and open the drain valves at the end of each zone.
What is the best way to winterize sprinkler system?
Blow-Out Method ProcedureShut down the water supply and connect the air compressor to the irrigation system using the coupler. ... Find the sprinkler station highest and farther from the compressor and turn it on.Close the backflow valves.Slowly open the valve on the compressor.Gradually add more air pressure.More items...
How do you wrap a sprinkler system?
4:318:52Winterizing Your PVB Sprinkler System Backflow Freeze PreventionYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's important to ensure that we have a good tight. Fit around there you want to ensure that. YouMoreIt's important to ensure that we have a good tight. Fit around there you want to ensure that. You want to wrap it around a couple of times to ensure that you don't have any kind of exposure.
Should sprinkler pipes be insulated?
If you have a water pipe sprinkler system, insulating the pipes is an effective way to prevent the water from freezing. A well-performing insulation system slows heat transfer, helping to keep the water above its freezing point, even if the temperature around the pipes is below freezing.
Do sprinkler pipes need insulation?
Pipe insulation: If you have a wet pipe sprinkler system where water sits at the ready at all times, insulating the pipes is an effective way to prevent the water from freezing. Insulation slows heat transfer, helping to keep the water above freezing even as the temperature around the pipes falls.
How do you winterize a reduced pressure backflow preventer?
How do you Winterize Your Backflow Preventer Devices? ... Insulate the RPZ by wrapping the device in foam insulation around all exposed pipes. ... After wrapping the device in foam and tape, cover the backflow device with an insulated bag to provide additional protection.More items...
Why are my backflow protectors wet?
Milk in the back flow protector is completely normal It's the backflow protector's job to keep milk from entering the tubing, protecting the pump motor from damage from moisture, mold and bacteria.
How high off the ground should a backflow preventer be?
Backflow preventers installed inside must be a minimum distance of twelve (12) inches above the floor, and no higher than four (4) foot above the floor, with adequate clearance around the backflow preventer for testing and/or repair.
Why do backflow preventers need to be above ground?
When a backflow preventer is installed below grade, the vault or pit in which an assembly is installed may fill up with water — possibly contaminated water. The water in the pit could create a cross-connection between the water in the pit and the backflow preventer through the test cocks.
How to Insulate An Underground Sprinkler Vault - HomeOwnersHub
This system orig. was installed in a tiny space only a foot deep. I believe the previous owners froze up one year, and hired a plumber to extend the shut-off valve underneath the house.
Garden Guides | How to Insulate Your Sprinkler System
Sprinkler systems are built to withstand most of the elements, but a frozen sprinkler system can be a nightmare to repair. As water freezes, it expands inside sprinkler pipes and equipment. The pressure from this expansion can cause your pipes to burst or sprinkler heads to pop off. An important step in the sprinkler ...
How To Winterize A Sprinkler System With A Backflow Preventer
It’s starting to get cold outside and you don’t want to pay someone $50-$100 dollars to winterize your sprinkler system right? Good news, you have come to the right place.
What to do if your pipes are below freezing?
If you are in an area that will drop below freezing, then it’s good practice to insulate your exposed pipes – this usually includes the backflow preventer. Also, set all valves to half-open, except for the main valve. This will ensure that any residual water can escape.
What happens when you winterize something?
When you winterize anything, there is one primary concern: water. Freezing water has the power to wreak anything near it. It expands with immense pressure. Freezing ice can exert over 100,000 psi of pressure if it is unable to expand. That much pressure can damage almost everything – and copper pipes are no exception.
Where is the backflow preventer located?
Your backflow preventer should be located near your house and in the vicinity of your water’s mainline. Sometimes, your backflow preventer is covered by overgrown shrubs. Be sure to look all around the outside of your house if you can’t find it. If you still can’t find it, ask a professional to come out and check. It could be your system wasn’t installed properly.
How to clear water from sprinkler system?
Alternate between the zones until the sprinklers are only blowing a fog. You want to clear as much water as possible.
Can you remove a backflow preventer?
First, if it is simple, you can remove the backflow preventer and store it inside for the winter. Sometimes the unit will have simple couplings that will be unscrewed. If your unit doesn’t have these couplings, you can have them installed by a professional for easy winterizing in the future.
What pressure should I use for a water heater?
Most systems recommend you don’t exceed pressures of 80 psi. Some prefer even lower, around 40-60 psi. Again, if you are unsure what your system can handle, consult the owner’s manual or employ professional help. Sometimes, you can watch how a professional clears your system, and then you’ll be able to clear it on your own in seasons to come.
Is it time to winterize sprinklers?
Cold weather is on the way. That means it is time to winterize your sprinkler system and backflow preventer. Forgetting to prepare your sprinkler for the off-season can result in cracked pipes. If you aren’t sure how to do it, follow the guide below. We will give you some general guidelines to follow. Winterizing your sprinkler system ensures it will function properly for many years to come.
What is PVB irrigation?
A PVB is the most commonly used residential backflow device in the city of Houston. Let’s start by learning just a little more about the purpose of the backflow device because it is the most important component of your irrigation system. The backflow device is NOT an irrigation “shut-off” though it does turn water off to ...
How long does it take to winterize a backflow device?
Winterizing your backflow device properly can save you a great deal of grief and money, and it only takes one or two minutes.
Why is it important to have a backflow device installed?
The backflow device prevents the contaminated water from mixing with the potable water you and your family use daily so it is very important the backflow device is installed up to code, is well maintained and functioning properly at all times.
What is the purpose of a backflow device?
The sole purpose of a backflow device, which is required by state and local code, is to protect your family’s tap water from harmful contaminants present on the lawn. Things like; fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides and animal droppings are present on most all lawns as well as the surrounding areas. These contaminants are pulled into the irrigation ...
How to turn off isolation valve?
You may first have to remove some dirt from the valve box. Give it a quarter of a turn so that the handle cuts across the direction of the pipe as seen on the right. This valve is now in the “off” position.
Where is the isolation valve on an irrigation system?
We often see them mounted at the bottom of the inlet leg of the backflow device which is not ideal as it is subject to freezing which does not help. Isolation valves are standard components of an irrigation system and are currently state code though many older systems may not have one.
Where is the isolation valve located in Houston?
An isolation valve is most commonly a simple PVC ball valve that will be located in a small, round, green valve box near your meter or at the foot of your backflow (often under the dirt, mulch or grass).
How much air pressure do I need to blow out a sprinkler system?
Sure, you might own a similar machine to power your nail guns and other air tools; perhaps it even boasts the capability to generate more than the recommended 50 pounds per square inch (PSI) needed to clear a sprinkler system’s worth of flexible polyethylene pipes, or the 80 PSI needed to blow out rigid PVC pipes. Still, experts advise against DIYing this next step for two reasons. First, safety: All kinds of potential injuries can arise in air compressor use, from valve tops blasting off to flying debris. Second, the typical at-home air compressor might generate roughly the same force but not the same volume as the professionals’ machine (a 10 cubic-feet-per-minute compressor). Theirs has the capacity to work more quickly and more thoroughly, whereas homeowners’ equipment can take significantly longer and potentially leave water behind—not a risk anyone should take.
How to tell if sprinkler system is manual?
One way to tell if your system is manual-draining is if your sprinkler heads have check valves on them.
How to prevent frozen water lines from damaging sprinkler system?
Prevent frozen water lines from damaging your sprinkler system by performing this crucial seasonal maintenance. You rely on your sprinklers to keep your lawn looking great most of the year, but when autumn rolls along, you need to take some time to empty and insulate them, so they’ll be every bit as reliable next spring.
How does gravity affect sprinklers?
Assuming that your sprinklers are relatively new and installed correctly with the irrigation pipes sloping downward toward the valves (where water can release at the lowest point in the system), gravity will guide nearly all the water out after you’ve relieved the pressure in the mainline.
Do you insulate pipes above ground?
If your system—including pipes, backflow preventers, and main shut-off valves—is at all aboveground, it’s advisable to insulate the exposed parts . Your local hardware store should offer foam insulation tape, foam pipe covers, and other winterizing protection. Following package instructions for the foam insulating products, cover exposed pipes and other system parts to protect against afreezing or cracking, taking pains not to block valves or drainage ports.
Do you have to store valves in the winter?
Some systems require that valves be stored indoors and pipes capped during the winter. Consult your owner’s manual.
How to winterize a sprinkler system
1. Shut off the water — First, switch off the water supply to the system. This is usually via a main valve near your water meter. If your system has backflow preventing valves, then those need to be shut off too.
Manual Draining
This is a straightforward method. Essentially, the pipes are elevated so that they manually drain when you release a valve at the lowest point — this could be at the end of the pipes. Wearing goggles to protect your eyes, slowly release each valve to let the water drain until empty. Close them again once finished.
Automatic Draining
Some sprinkler systems can automatically drain, which is very useful. All you need to do is turn on the sprinklers while the water is shut off. This will drain the majority, but some residual water will still remain in the valves.
Blow-out Draining
This is the most complicated and time-consuming draining method. You essentially force compressed air into the system, blowing out any excess water through the sprinkler heads.
How to insulate a sprinkler system
This final step is simple: you’re going to want to insulate any exposed components. This means everything should be covered in insulation foam or tape, including the water supply shut-off valve, backflow preventers as well as any exposed pipes. Just be careful not to block any vents or drains on the backflow preventers.
How to prevent backflow?
Place a ready-made insulation blanket or bag over the top of the backflow preventer unit. A ready-made insulation bag might consist of fiberglass set in between two sheets of fabric with a durable outer cover. Leave space for drainage and airflow.
How to keep fiberglass insulation from getting wet?
Cover the backflow preventer and the fiberglass insulation with a black trash bag to secure the insulation, add further insulation and prevent the fiberglass insulation from getting wet. As with the fiberglass insulation, keep preventer drains uncovered. A heavier plastic can be used, if you don't trust the quality of a trash bag to last all winter.
Why do you loosen a bag?
Loosen the bag so that it's clear of drainage holes and air can flow through bottom of the bag. The preventer must be able to drain throughout the winter, if necessary.
What is the purpose of placing insulation in a valve manifold?
Place excess insulation in the valve manifold to protect irrigation valves.
Can insulation bags fly off of a preventer?
If the insulation bag features a snap at the bottom, then snap the bag closed and confirm the bag is unable to fly off of the preventer during strong winds. Some insulation bags come with padlocks to secure the bag to the preventer. If this is the case, then lock the padlock into place below the preventer. Advertisement.
When did Whitney Houston start writing?
Whitney Houston began writing in 2006. Her work has been published in "BUST" and PaperDolls magazines. Houston attended St. Edward's University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in photocommunications (photography and digital imaging). eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story.
