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Sprinkler Winterization (Please, Backflow, Do Not Explode)
TyrantCow
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
For the past few years i've had this guy do my sprinkler blowouts every fall. Usually would call him up and he'd be there the next day or two and have everything cleared out. This year i called him up and he's not doing it. So, it's getting kind of late in the year and i got someone else to take care of it for me; but, it will be a week until he makes it to my place. Is there any sort of precaution to take to ensure nothing bad happens to the backflow valve in the meantime? Should i shut off the water and drain the pipe between the backflow and the water source? i've read that releasing the pressure in the backflow is a good precaution; but, if i do that i'll lose the pressure that would be used to help blow out the system later.
i'm in Colorado; so, the ground won't be freezing before the blowout guy gets here. But, i'm still paranoid about the above ground component and i've gathered that the brass umbrella shaped doohickey is the most likely thing to break when things get cold. It snowed last night and nothing blew up; so, i guess that's good.
Advice appreciated, thanks.
i'm in Colorado; so, the ground won't be freezing before the blowout guy gets here. But, i'm still paranoid about the above ground component and i've gathered that the brass umbrella shaped doohickey is the most likely thing to break when things get cold. It snowed last night and nothing blew up; so, i guess that's good.
Advice appreciated, thanks.
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Mine for shutdown is: turn off the water supply, open the main drain valve, open secondary drain valve, open the bleeder valves near diaphragm, put insulating bag over exposed bits.
If when you turn off the water, it drains down so there is nothing in that section to freeze it should be okay. They can turn the system back on to establish that water pressure later. I remember doing tricks like leaving the water trickling or getting heat tape to keep pipes from freezing up.
Actually, the best thing would be to give either your new or old shutdown person a call and ask them if you should do anything.