When should I blowout my sprinklers?

A good rule of thumb is to have your sprinkler system winterized in early fall, but we recommend keeping an eye on the weather, and ensure that your watering system is drained and blown out at least one week prior to the seasons first freeze.

At what temperature should I blowout my sprinklers?

Regardless of where you live, it is important to have your system winterized before the temperatures consistently fall below 32°F (0°C) to avoid damage to your irrigation system.

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.

Do all sprinkler systems need to be blown out?

Not all systems need to have the water blown out of them. You can winterize a sprinkler system without an air compressor if all of your irrigation lines are buried at a slight downhill slope. Simply shut off the main water supply to your system and open the drain valves at the end of each zone.

Will sprinkler pipes freeze at 32 degrees?

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 to Winterize a Sprinkler System - Blow Out Method

How long does it take pipes to freeze at 32 degrees?

With this in mind, expect most pipes to freeze within six to eight hours. Uninsulated exterior pipes can freeze in under six hours if the temperature is below 20 degrees. It takes at least 12 hours for unprotected pipes to freeze at 32 degrees.

Will my sprinklers freeze at 28 degrees?

It takes a sustained hard freeze of around 28 degrees to potentially cause sprinkler damage.

Can I blowout my sprinklers myself?

Sprinkler systems need to have all the water blown out of them before the winter freeze. If you have an air compressor you can do the job yourself and save the service fee.

What is the average life of a sprinkler head?

The Life Expectancy of an Irrigation System

While different parts of your system may need replacing throughout its life, you can expect the average sprinkler system to last for upwards of 20 years. During that time, you'll likely need to replace your sprinkler heads around the 10-year mark if using high-quality heads.

Are sprinkler lines always full of water?

The pipe is not constantly filled with water. Instead, the water is held behind a dry pipe valve usually some distance away from where the sprinklers are located.

What month should I stop watering my lawn?

You might be surprised by how late you can mow and water your lawn. Fernandes says to continue watering until the ground freezes, but take care not to overwater. Gradually reduce watering until the average nighttime temperatures are in the low 30s, then stop. Water won't penetrate once the ground freezes.

What month should you winterize your sprinkler system?

Timing for winterizing your sprinkler system comes down to the weather. It's best to aim for the middle of fall between October 1st and Thanksgiving. You want to have it winterized before the first hard freeze of the season.

Is it better to run sprinklers at night or morning?

To water well, timing is everything. Water in the early morning – between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Midday watering leads to wasteful evaporation, while nighttime watering causes droplets to cling to grass overnight, increasing the chance of lawn diseases.

What is the 18 inch rule for sprinkler heads?

Nothing should be in that area between the bottom of the sprinkler heads and the imaginary horizontal plane parallel to the ceiling that is 18 inches below. This is done to allow an even and unobstructed spray pattern from the sprinklers when triggered to extinguish the fire.

How hot is too hot for sprinklers?

Avoid watering grass on a hot afternoon when it's 95 degrees or higher. The best time to water grass is at dawn or in the early evening. Water deeply three times a week instead of a little water daily. Test whether your sprinkler system is watering your lawn evenly.

What psi should I winterize my sprinkler system?

Ideal pressures are in the range of 40 to 80 pounds per square inch (psi) for the air compressor with 80 psi being the maximum for rigid PVC pipe and 50 psi for polyethylene pipe (flexible black pipe). Set the pressure regulator on the air compressor accordingly.

What is the #1 cause of sprinkler system failure?

By far the top reason is because of corrosion. Corrosion, both external and internal, can fuse a water seal to the frame. This is why NFPA 25 also states that during your floor level inspection, you are to replace any sprinkler that shows signs of corrosion that is detrimental to performance.

Will touching a sprinkler head set it off?

Do fire sprinklers go off if you hit or touch them? To trigger a fire sprinkler you would have to hit the bulb itself within the sprinkler head. This is virtually impossible to do accidentally.

How many sprinkler heads can I run off one zone?

Typically, though, a sprinkler system zone will boast 5 to 6 rotor heads and/or 8 to 10 spray heads.

How do I prepare for sprinkler blowout?

Before you proceed, you will need to turn off the main water supply. This ensures that no additional water flows into the piping. Once you turn off the water, you'll also need to open the hose bib on the main water supply that's connected to the irrigation system to let the remaining water drain out.

How do I turn my sprinklers back on after a blowout?

If your sprinkler system has a bleeder nipple on the main valve, place the metal cap on the nipple and tighten until it's snug. Slowly open the main valve. It's very important to turn on the water gradually, otherwise you can create a water hammer that can damage your system.

How do I turn my sprinklers back on after blowing out?

Slowly open the main shutoff valve to let water into the sprinkler system. For a ball valve, turn the lever handle one-quarter turn until the handle is parallel to the pipe; this is the fully open position. For an in-ground shutoff valve, use a sprinkler valve key to turn the valve counterclockwise until it stops.

Will pipes freeze at 29 degrees?

Pipes are at risk of freezing when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but they most commonly freeze at temperatures of 20 degrees and below. (Keep in mind, wind chill increases the risk of freezing.)

How long does it take water pipes to freeze at 30 degrees?

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.

Will pipes freeze at 38 degrees?

As a general rule, temperatures outside must drop to at least 20 degrees or lower to cause pipes to freeze. In northern climates, where the temperatures regularly fall below freezing, modern homes tend to be well insulated and water pipes are located on the inner parts of the house for extra protection.