what psi do i need to winterize my sprinkler system

What PSI Do I need to winterize my sprinkler system? Set the compressor air pressure regulator to a maximum of 80 psi for rigid PVC

pipe systems, or 50 psi for flexible black polyethylene pipe. Then turn off the water supply and set the system timer to open just one zone.

Full Answer

How do I winterize my sprinkler system?

What PSI Do I need to winterize my sprinkler system? Set the compressor air pressure regulator to a maximum of 80 psi for rigid PVC pipe systems, or 50 psi for flexible black polyethylene pipe. Then turn off the water supply and set the system timer to open just one zone. Next, open the manual drain valve at the end of that zone (if equipped).

Do you need a professional sprinkler winterization service?

Oct 29, 2021 · Set the compressor air pressure regulator to a maximum of 80 psi for rigid PVC pipe systems, or 50 psi for flexible black polyethylene pipe. Now, each system is different, but I've had no problems running my compressor at full volume through my black polyethylene pipe. Then turn off the water supply. Step 2 Follow the Hookup Procedure

How big of a compressor is needed to blow out a sprinkler system?

Generally, stick to 80 PSI for PVC piping or 50 PSI if you have polyethylene piping. Image courtesy Starting with the sprinkler head farthest from the compressor, open each sprinkler head in turn. Now repeat this process on each head, working your way from zone to zone as you move to the zone nearest to the air compressor.

How much CFM do I need to run a sprinkler system?

Dec 11, 2021 · Take care not to exceed the maximum recommended pressure for your sprinkler system; refer to your manual for guidance. Generally speaking, don’t go above 80 PSI on PVC piping or 50 PSI for...

Why You Need to Winterize Your Sprinkler System

If you live where the ground temperatures drop well below freezing point, your irrigation system is susceptible to damage and cracks because of the cold temperature.

The Sprinkler Winterizing Process

Winterizing the sprinkler system involves removing all the remaining water from the system to prevent ice damage. Here’s how.

Taking Care of Your Lawn Sprinkler System

Winterizing your sprinkler system is the best way to protect your investment in your irrigation system. If you do it right and on time, your system will be as good as new, ready to keep your lawn looking magnificent when spring hits.

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.

What pressure do all terrain sprinklers use?

The compressors we use at All Terrain do not use a ton of pressure (think 55-65 psi to blow out a sprinkler), but they DO have a rating of 185 CFM which mimics water; after all, it’s not the pressure that’s the issue, it’s the volume. Often, your DIY projects result in using TOO much pressure and not enough CFM – and while your system may take it, over time the heads will simply fall apart.

What happens when water freezes in sprinkler system?

When the water freezes and expands, the PVC pipe will likely burst in multiple places. Furthermore, frozen water trapped in the backflow assembly will cause destruction to the internal components of the pipe. This kind of damage would cost much more than the cost of having All Terrain do a professional sprinkler blowout from Fort Collins to Boulder and anywhere in between.

How does all terrain landscape winterize?

How does All Terrain Landscaping winterize your sprinkler system? The blow out method involves placing a small amount of pressure behind the sprinkler system using a commercial air compressor at only 55-65 psi delivering 185 CFM. When properly done, the blow out method forces all of the water out of the sprinkler system so there is no chance of freeze damage throughout the winter months.

How does an auto drain sprinkler work?

Let’s explain how these work: your auto drain sprinkler system has a spring. When there’s pressure, it pushes the spring closed. When you turn off the pressure, the spring opens and allows the water to run out. Or that’s the plan anyway. If that spring doesn’t open for some reason, you have cracks in your pipe…or worse.

How long does a sprinkler system last?

Take a little care when you schedule a sprinkler blowout in Boulder, Greeley, or Fort Collins and you’ll get 40-60 years of life out of your sprinkler system!

Can you blow out a sprinkler system in Colorado?

When properly done, the blow out method forces all of the water out of the sprinkler system so there is no chance of freeze damage throughout the winter months. Let All Terrain blow out your sprinkler in Boulder to save them from the intense Colorado winter damage so you don’t have to deal with any of the risks.

How to determine the CFM of a sprinkler system?

As a fast rule, if you know the size and GPM of each sprinkler head in your system, simply divide the total GPM of each zone by 7.5 to get the recommended CFM requirements per zone. You can also read our guide on how to size a sprinkler system if you are building one for the first time or would like more information about sprinkler pumps.

How long does an air compressor need to be on a sprinkler system?

A good rule of thumb is that the air compressor needs to be able to sustain the recommended PSI and CFM requirements (read below) for at least 2 minutes per zone on a sprinkler system to be effective. The bigger tank your compressor has, the less time you'll be waiting for it to refill during a blowout, referred to as a duty cycle.

How many PSI to blow out water lines?

Using an air compressor with the recommended PSI and CFM ratings (50 PSI and 20-50 CFM), the steps below outline the general process of blowing out water lines on an irrigation system. Always read your owner's manual for recommendations on proper use and safety before attempting the blowout. Consult an irrigation professional or seek additional help if needed. It's also recommended that a sprinkler system is blown out one zone at a time.

How much air compressor do I need for irrigation?

The minimum volume an air compressor must be able to provide to properly blowout an irrigation system is 20 cubic feet per meter (CFM). Still, many professionals recommend up to 50 CFM at under 50 PSI for optimal performance, assuming the water lines are less than an inch in diameter. The larger the pipe, the higher CFM (volume) it will take to do the job as well.

What is the recommended PSI for blowouts?

The recommended PSI ratings for blowouts are not to exceed 50 PSI for general safety and efficiency. Never exceed this PSI when the system is using PVC piping, or you can crack the pipes. If nothing else, absolutely do not run any compressor higher than 80 PSI in your lines, or damage will be more than likely to occur.

How to prevent water leaks in sprinkler system?

The best way to prevent this is to properly protect your water lines by blowing them out every season before winter. A badly damaged sprinkler system may need to be replaced and reinstalled, which carries a price tag in the thousands of dollars.

How to stop water from flowing into irrigation lines?

During this step, make sure the pressure sensors on an irrigation system are disconnected and protected so they won't be damaged during the spray. Close the backflow preventer isolation valves to ensure no air can enter. Remember, whichever zone you are working in first, make sure those valves are opened fully to prevent damage to the closing components.

How much pressure should I use for PVC pipe?

If you have rigid PVC piping, use a maximum of 80 psi and 50 psi for flexible black polyethylene pipe. You need to make sure you use the right amount of pressure. Make sure you turn off the water supply and open the manual drain valve at the end of the zone if the timer opens just one area.

How to keep a main valve from freezing?

Insulate Your System. You shut off the main valve whenever you drained the pipes, but this valve needs to be protected against freezing as well. The best way to do this is to wrap the main valve with insulation, typically foam insulation tape and a plastic bag. Insulation is an essential step to winterization.

What do you do when water is drained from the mainline?

Once all of the water is drained out of the mainline, you can open the boiler drain valve or the drain cap on the stop and waste valve. This is when you need to drain all of the remaining water that is between the irrigation water shut off valve and backflow device.

Where is the main shut off point for sprinkler systems?

All sprinkler systems have a main shut-off point. It might be located in your basement, a crawlspace, or underground in a valve box. Valve boxes can be buried up to 5 feet underground.

Can PVC piping break in winter?

Some water always remains, and that water can freeze, expand, and crack PVC piping. Yes, that rigid white piping can break under the expansion of freezing and unfreezing water.

Do you need to know your sprinkler system for winterization?

While winterization is typically an easy DIY job, it does require working knowledge of your specific sprinkler system, including each irrigation zone. So, if you don’t understand your system well, having a trained professional ensures nothing goes wrong.

Can you close a manual drain valve?

It’s essential to pay attention to make sure all of the water has drained out of the backflow, piping, and sprinklers. Once you are sure all of the water has been drained out, you can close all of the manual drain valves. The gravity approach isn’t foolproof because low spots can collect water, so be cautious if you opt for this method.

What temperature should a sprinkler system be before a hard freeze?

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. Below the freezing point, some of the most critical components of a sprinkler system can be damaged.

Why do you winterize sprinklers?

But at the end of the watering season, it's important to winterize your sprinklers so that the water does not freeze inside the system and cause damage.

What happens if you freeze water pipes?

Effects of Frozen Pipes. If you fail to blow out your pipes before the first freeze of the season, it's likely that the water inside will freeze. With no room for the freezing water to expand, the pipes can crack or burst in large sections. Frozen pipes are one of the most costly and difficult repairs to make, given that ...

What happens if water freezes in sprinkler pipe?

If water is allowed to freeze inside the main pipe, it can crack the plastic and damage the attached valves. Replacing a damaged manifold is the most labor-intensive part of any sprinkler repair and should be avoided by draining as much water as possible from inside the manifold.

Can water freeze in sprinkler heads?

Water can also freeze inside sprinkler heads themselves. As the frozen water expands, the pressure from the ice can pop off sprinkler heads. Another possible effect is that the water will expand inside the plastic body of the sprinkler, cracking the sprinkler down the side.

Methods for Winterizing Irrigation Systems

There are three basic methods for draining leftover water from your sprinkler or irrigation system: manual drain, automatic drain and blow-out. The method you use depends on the type of irrigation you have in place.

Manual Drain Method

Some irrigation systems are equipped with manual drainage. These systems allow you to empty excess water from the system by simply opening a valve.

Automatic Drain Method

An auto drain system has valves that automatically drain water from the pipes. This happens only when the water pressure falls below a certain number of pounds per square inch.

Blow-Out Method Overview

The final way of draining an irrigation system is known as the blow-out method. To drain the pipes, you force compressed air through the irrigation system. This discharges excess water through the sprinkler heads. It only works successfully if you’ve got the proper irrigation system to handle that amount of pressure.

Blow-Out Method Procedure

Put on your safety glasses, then assemble your compressor and coupler. For clarity, these instructions are provided in two sets.