It is a tasteless problem many home owners encounter each early winter: They fail to winterize their sprinkler theory before the first freeze. They simply wait too long, and the results can be nightmarish.
There is a process to winterizing your sprinkler theory properly. It is not sufficient to simply drain or publish the water from the system. The problem is that if there is any residue water in the Pvc pipes, and there is a freeze, these pipes will very likely improve and crack.
Also, if there is any residue water left in the backflow assembly, which can typically be placed under your house, and it freezes this assembly can also be damaged and this assembly includes brass parts. So it is very leading to winterize your sprinkler theory before the first freeze.
Compressor Troubleshooting Guide
There are 3 methods, or techniques, to winterizing your sprinkler system.
Manual Drain Method:
This is used when hand-operated valves are placed at the end and low points of the irrigation piping. The first step is shut off the sprinkler water supply, which will very likely be placed in the basement. This valve can come in any configurations but it simply needs to be shut off. Next open up all the hand-operated drain valves and this allows the water to drain from the mainline.
Their still could be residual water so next open the boiler drain valve, so then after the water has been drained from the mainline, reopen the sprinkler shut off valve. This should drain the remaining water that is left from the shut off valve to the backflow.
Next, open the test cocks on the backflow devices. If your sprinklers have check valves you'll need to pull up on the sprinklers to allow the water to drain out the lowest of the sprinkler body. Depending on the location of the drain valves, there may still be some water left in the backflow, the piping and the sprinklers themselves. When all the water has drained out, close all the hand-operated drain valves.
Automatic Drain Method
Start off by Shutting off the water provide which will relax the water theory pressure to drain the water from the mainline. When the mainline is drained of water, open the boiler drain. This should empty out any residual water that is caught in the middle of the shut off valve and the back flow instrument.
Open the boiler drain once the water is out of the mainline. Drain the rest of the water that is caught in the middle of the shut off valve and the back flow mechanism. And, finally, make sure you open the test cocks on the back flow instrument to let any remaining water drain out.
Air Compressor Method
Some homeowners may consider hiring a noteworthy licensed contractor to winterize a sprinkler theory with this method.
You will need to rent an air compressor from your local equipment rental place. They will get you the proper compressor (appropriate Psi pressure, or lbs per square inch).
Shut off the main water supply. Now attach the compressor with the proper connector, such as a hose bib or quick coupler to the mainline. When you rent the air compressor the equipment rental store should provide you with the right couplers.
Make sure you open the test cocks on the back flow instrument to that t the water drain out. Now open the compressor valve gradually, slowly, which will originate the airflow into the system. The minimum air pressure should be 50 pounds per square inch.
You or an connect should be watching the sprinkler heads to see when they pop up, which would mean the lines are clear. Growth the air pressure if the sprinkler heads don't pop up. Never allow the air pressure to get above 80 psi. For other answers to your plumbing, heating and A/C fix questions please visit http://lafayetteplumbingandheating.com/
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