Winterization is an important process to perform when the temperature down south is low. Using the correct method for winterization can save you a lot of water and money, so do not forget about it!
Winterization is the process of removing excess water from a system before it is used. This helps preserve components such as water sensors and resistance wires, which would require additional water to operate.
By removing the excess water prior to use, you reduce the risk of freezing components, damaging those parts or causing improper operation. You also gain more control over the system as you can control how much water it needs to function properly.
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Check the sprinkler system valves
If your sprinkler system has a valve at the top, check it recently. The valve can break and cause flooding or drain plugs to fall out which results in loss of water or power.
If the valve is above ground, make sure it is winterized and functioning properly. That way, if there is a power outage, the water can still be controlled!
Winterization includes putting up heavy insulation blankets to help prevent cold condensation from forming on the outside of the system. It also includes checking to see if any of the valves are frozen, which could result in unintentional shutoffs.
Checking all of these out may seem complicated, but doing so could save you from having to use them in an emergency. It is also good practice to never leave a sprinkler system without checking everything out every few weeks.
Make sure water is flowing through the pipes
When you winterize your sprinkler system, you need to make sure the water is flowing through the pipes. This means that if your sprinkler system has a preventative system, you must turn it on and off for winterization.
Winterization involves opening up the shutoff valves to let water run through the system. This helps ensure that any minerals in water are dispersed throughout the pipes, and that it is flowing freely.
It also ensures that any bacteria and viruses are locked out from entering the system, allowing you to use it safely during winter months.
Run the sprinklers for a few minutes
After a rainfall, the fastest way to start the sprinklers is by opening the tank cover. This takes a few minutes to complete, so make sure you have time to do this!
After Opening the Tank Cover, You Need to Run the Sprinklers for A Short Time To Let Wetness Arrive At The Planting Opportunities. After That, Close Up the Tank Cover and Turn On The Sprinkler Network.
Close valve to house water heater
When winterize your sprinkler system, you need to close the valve to the house water heater when not in use. This allows water to flow through the system while it Winterizes.
This prevents freeze-thru scheduling of the water heater which can damage the system. It also ensures that no water flow occurs while the heater is Winterizing which can prolong its life!
Winterizing your sprinkler system can be nerve-wracking, but it needs to be done yearly due to rain and refill of the reservoir! Check with your irrigation company for guidelines on how often this must be done.
Close valve to pool pump
If you notice water coming out of your sprinkler system or seeing pools of water around your sprinkler system, it can be time to winterize it.
This may sound strange, but if you notice water disappearing quickly, then you need to close the valve on the pool pump. This will prevent icy fingers and toes when trying to open and close the sprinkler system.
Winterizing your sprinkler system will also reduce potential issues like bacteria growth or issues with automatic shutoffs. If you need to replace any parts, do it during winter so they are available!
Winterizing your sprinkler system can be tedious, take some time for it to sink in! Luckily, we have done this before and written this article for you so you may not have to completely do it by yourself.
Take some pictures of the entire sprinkler system including all covers, signs, and anything else pertinent to the review. Then take those pictures out in summer so that they match seasonappropriate equipment/coverings/etc.
Flush out pipes with running water
If a sprinkler system has pipes connected to it, you need to winterize them. These are the water lines that connect your house to the sprinkler system.
When they are frozen, these lines can be difficult to flush out. You must remove all the snow from these lines before you can connect your sprinkler system.
This is important because if the lines are frozen into a solid form, you could have trouble inserting and removing a water line. There may be a risk of fire as well, because if the water melted away during hot weather, there could be flames shooting high in the air.
Winterizing your sprinkler system will prevent problems such as freeze-throwing cracks in the pipes or heat- catastrophes like melting roads or buildings. You can do this by running cold tap water through them for several days in early winter until they thaw out.
Change your filter and clean your pump
If your sprinkler system has a filter, you should change it every week or so to ensure that the water stays filtered. This filters out debris such as leaves and pet hair.
The pump of your sprinkler system needs to be periodically cleaned to ensure that the water in the lines is being pumped into the house. If this pump is not being worked on, then it can become damaged.
To clean your pump, you will need to take off the cover and then remove the two screws that hold it in place. You should then take out the pump and wash it! It takes a little bit of effort to get it working, though.. so don’t worry about doing it soon!
To determine when you need a new filter, look at when your sprinklers start getting slower and slower and stoping up water. That means it’s time for a new system filter.
Prepare your home for winter
If you live in a warm climate, then don’t worry about winterization. If you have cold weather clothes, then pack those!
If not, there are a few things you can do to prepare your home for winter. Do some flooring shopping and shop around for ice chests and storage solutions to holdwinterized supplies.
Monitor your temperature thresholds and avoid exceeding them if possible. Keep windows and doors closed if they prevent heat from escaping the home. And last but not least, prepare for the night before every winter storm when it is predicted to snow heavily.