With winter just around the corner, homeowners turn their attention to preparing their homes for the cold weather. One such preparation is to blow out your sprinkler system, which must be done for winter and for repairs.

Determine What Type of Valves Your System Uses

Luckily, draining your sprinkler system is easily accomplished if you have manual or automatic valves. To determine which type of valve your system has, check the user guide that came with your system or call the installer of your system. If your system uses compressed air to push water from the valves, contact a professional such as Colorado Sprinkler Service for assistance as systems using compressed air require special safety precautions. Personal injury and/or damage to the sprinkler system can occur with the compressed air method.

How to Blow Out a Sprinkler System With Manual Valves

Locate the manual valves which are located at the end and low points of the system. These areas in the system are where the water collects when the system is turned off and can be found downstream from each zone valve.
Next, the water supply to the system must be turned off by closing the main valve. This valve can usually be located near the water meter and identified with by looking for a “T” connection.
Once the water supply has been turned off, open all of the downstream manual drain valves previously located in step 1. These valves should be left open for a few days if possible to allow all of the water to empty from the system.
Open the drain valves located upstream of each zone valve to empty the water from the main line.
Drain the water from each sprinkler head to remove any remaining water.
Close all valves.

How to Blow Out a Sprinkler System With Automatic Valves

Turn off the water supply to the main valve which, as previously stated, can usually be located near the water meter.
With automatic valves, the water will begin to drain when the water supply has been turned off.
Next, open the drain cap that can be located between the main valve and the backflow device found in automatic valve systems. Any trapped water should drain from this section of the system.
As with automatic valves, each sprinkler head should be lifted to drain any remaining water inside them.

Questions? Need Assistance? Contact the Professionals at Colorado Sprinkler System.