Winterize it right!
SPECIAL SECTION
In areas with prolonged freezing, and even temperate climates, irrigation
winterizing can help avoid repair calls when spring rolls around.
Pumps, backflow preventers, pipe, valves and rotors can get damaged
if any water sitting in the system freezes and expands. Even controllers
and electronic components can be at risk from condensing moisture in
enclosures.
But these issues can be typically be avoided by winterizing —
removing water from an irrigation system so it doesn't get damaged when
temperatures drop. This can be accomplished with manual or automatic
drainage or a blowout method using a high-volume air compressor.
Some winterizing techniques can also pose risks however. As you
prepare for winter, here are some points to remember as you get your
irrigation systems ready for the cold.
1. SAFETY FIRST!
Always use eye protection when performing a blowout, and make sure no
one is standing near parts of the system while the air compressor is in use.
PVC pipe becomes like shrapnel if it explodes, so avoid applying air
pressure to PVC that is not buried, and keep your face and head protected.
2. ALLOW A PATH FOR WATER TO EXIT THE ZONE.
Remove the "guts" from the last sprinkler heads on large zones to allow
more volume out during the blowout process. This makes it easier for air
to drive out the water that cannot pass as effectively through nozzles at
lower pressures.
3. HIGH VOLUME AND LOW PRESSURE
SAVES COMPONENTS.
When using an air compressor to evacuate water from the system, you
want low pressure and high volume — a small air compressor won't cut it!
Avoid irrigation system damage
with these tips
■ BY TOM GLAZENER AND LAURA ORY
PHOTO
BY
AARON
BUDIMLIJA,
EWING
IRRIGATION
Blowout Quick Tips
1. Shut off water to the irrigation system and drain or prepare to
blow out the system.
2. With the air compressor attached to a proper point of
connection, use the controller or a remote to cycle through all the
valves to evacuate water.
3. Drain the backflow preventer and leave ball valves at a quarter
turn. Partially open any isolation gate valves.
4. Check any pump on system and evacuate water through drain
ports. Tend to lubrication and other maintenance needs.
5. Protect controllers from moisture with silica gel desiccant packs.
26 October 2015 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com