How do I protect my sprinkler system from freezing?

Shut off the water supply to the irrigation system. The main shut off valve for your irrigation system needs to be protected against freezing. Make sure it is wrapped with insulation (foam insulation tape and a plastic bag) to protect it from harsh winter temperatures and prevent it from freezing.

What temperature will sprinkler pipes freeze?

A sprinkler system will freeze if the temperature falls below 32° F (0° Celsius). Now, most indoor sprinkler systems are inside of buildings or homes where the temperature won't ever drop into the danger zone.

Should I cover my sprinklers before a freeze?

It's important to keep them open until all water has been drained from pipes and sprinkler heads so that nothing can freeze. This may take several days, so start early! Finally, close all the drain valves so that snow or any winter rain doesn't get inside.

Should I run my sprinklers during a freeze?

It is best to turn on your system during the warmest time of the day when anticipating freezing conditions. Be sure the outside temperature is 37 degrees or above when you run your system. You ABSOLUTELY do not want to run your sprinkler system during a hard freeze as this will cause damage to your irrigation system.

Can you put antifreeze in a lawn sprinkler system?

"You can put 1 to 2 cups of RV anti-freeze into the pump to keep it from freezing through the winter," says DuBreuil. "It won't hurt the landscape when it goes through the system in spring." Blow out the water.

How to Protect Your Sprinkler System During an Overnight Freeze

How do I prepare my sprinkler system for winter?

Shut off the water supply to the irrigation system. The main shut off valve for your irrigation system needs to be protected against freezing. Make sure it is wrapped with insulation (foam insulation tape and a plastic bag) to protect it from harsh winter temperatures and prevent it from freezing.

What is an antifreeze sprinkler system?

Antifreeze is commonly used in HVAC systems, automobiles, and combustible engines, and the principle is the same in a fire sprinkler system. A solution of a water and an active antifreeze ingredient is flooded into wet pipe systems to keep the water from freezing.

Should you water lawn before a freeze?

It is best to water the grass the day before a freeze because the wet soil acts as insulation to the grassroots. Roots are more likely to freeze if the ground is too dry. Stop watering when the ground freezes.

When should I worry about sprinkler system freezing?

While you may be eager to get your lawn back to its pristine green state, it is important to remember that temperatures at and below 32 degrees Fahrenheit put your sprinkler system at risk of freezing.

How do I winterize my sprinkler system without a blowout?

How do you winterize an above ground sprinkler system?

What plants need to be covered when it freezes?

When the weather forecaster warns of an overnight freeze, cover your plants with burlap, an old sheet or blanket, or clear plastic. Covering plants helps protect them from a freeze because it helps retain heat radiating from the soil and keeps them warm overnight.

Can pipes freeze in one night?

Pipes can freeze in as little as six to eight hours, meaning they can freeze overnight. If the outside temperature is below 32 degrees F and your pipes are unprotected, your chances for a frozen pipe increase.

How do you keep fire sprinkler pipes from freezing?

To keep the water inside the pipes of a wet fire sprinkler system from freezing in areas where the temperature may drop below 50 degrees, some systems include an antifreeze loop. By adding antifreeze to the water in the fire sprinkler pipes, the freezing point is much lower, reducing the risk of the pipes freezing.

How do I protect my lawn from freezing?

Use linens or burlap to cover your plants and keep them shielded from the freeze. The cover should reach down to the roots to trap in heat. Avoid using plastics, as this will create condensation on the foliage. In the morning, once temperatures start rising, uncover your plants to keep condensation from forming.

Why do farmers spray water on plants before an overnight freeze?

So, spraying your plants with water before a cold night will prevent frosting, and the subsequent death of said plants, because the water will heat up your plants as the temperature drops.

When should I shut off my sprinkler system?

You should shut off your irrigation system just before temperatures in your region begin to dip below freezing at night. Don't shut off your irrigation system too early. Often homeowners shut their systems down as soon as the fall season arrives because they believe that their lawn requires less water.

How long does antifreeze last in sprinkler system?

In addition, NFPA 25 was updated to give an expiration date to antifreeze solutions in existing fire sprinkler systems. By September 30, 2022, existing antifreeze solutions must be replaced by alternative means of freeze protection. This marks the end of antifreeze in fire sprinkler systems.

What is an antifreeze loop?

Antifreeze loops protect areas in a building or outside a building that are prone to freezing. A check valve isolates the anti-freeze loop from the rest of the fire sprinkler system. There is also a main drain and a fill cup to assist in the draining and refilling of the loop.

Can you insulate fire sprinkler pipe?

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.

Should I leave sprinkler valves open in winter?

Manual valves should be left in the open position throughout winter to prevent repressurization. Some sprinkler heads have both side and bottom pipe inlets. If you use the side inlet, install a drain valve on the bottom inlet to prevent the case from freezing.

What happens if you don't winterize sprinklers?

If you forget to winterize your sprinklers, you run the risk that water will freeze in the irrigation valves, pipes and sprinkler heads. When water freezes, it expands causing the parts of your system to burst and destroying your sprinkler system.

How much psi do I need to winterize my sprinkler system?

Air pressure must not exceed 50 pounds per square inch (psi). Compressor must be capable of delivering 20 to 25 Cubic Feet Per Minute of air volume. Do not run equipment for longer than 1 minute on air.