There are numerous reasons why you should winterize your irrigation system, but by far the most important one is that you will avoid damaging your very useful investment.
There are 3 different types of successful irrigation techniques:
Manual Drain Valve Method Requirements
You must have a properly designed irrigation system in order for this particular method to work properly, which means the valve should be installed at the lowest point of the system’s mainline. If you have a system with numerous low draining points, then several manual drain valves should be installed to ensure you are achieving maximum drainage.
It is also very important that your piping is sloped so that it is able to drain completely. Be aware if your valve happens to be located indoors, you should be able to drain an adequate amount of water without fear of overflow or flooding.
Automatic Drain Valve Method
The automatic drain valve is pretty self-explanatory… basically, every time the system shuts off, the valve opens on drains all the water from the pipes. The automatic valves should be installed at the lowest point of the sprinkler lines, below the sprinkler control valves, and at the lowest point of the sprinkler lines.
Compressed Air Blow-Out Method
The compressed air blow-out method typically involves extra care, and we recommend that it is attempted by professionals only. In this method, water is cleared from the mainline pipe, the sprinkler control valves, the lateral pipes, and sprinkler head using compressed air.
If you are unsure which method is best for winterizing your irrigation system, it is important that you speak to a professional who can guide you in the right direction and help you get the job done right. For more information on winterizing your irrigation system, contact Action Plumbing today.