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In order to blow out the sprinkler system, you will need an air compressor that can produce air at a volume of at least 30 to 50 cubic feet per minute (cfm) and at pressures of 40 to 80 pounds per square inch (PSI).Even a powerful air compressor isn’t capable of blowing out the entire system without risking damage to the pipes and sprinklers, so you will need to open each zone of sprinklers, one at a time, starting with the furthest zone. Opening the sprinklers provides a path for the air to travel and it will allow the water to escape instead of building up pressure inside a closed system.

Begin the process of blowing out the lines by closing the backflow valves to help direct the flow of air in the opposite direction. With the farthest or highest sprinkler zone open, turn on the compressor and begin to add air to the sprinkler system. Slowly open the compressor valve, gradually adding additional air pressure as needed.

When the pressure is sufficient, you should start to see water coming through the sprinkler head. It should be noted that the air pressure should not exceed 80 PSI for PVC piping or 50 PSI for polyethylene piping.

Not all sprinkler systems run on a timer, but if your system does have a timer, then it’s advised to shut it down. The reason for this is to help protect the timer and the sprinkler system by reducing the risk of electrical or mechanical faults throughout the winter.Only attempt to blow out your sprinkler system if you have experience working with an air compressor. An air compressor can cause extensive damage to the sprinkler system and could put an inexperienced user or others at risk if the air pressure makes the water line burst.

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.Begin the process of winterizing your sprinkler system by turning off the isolation valve to the sprinkler system to prevent water from the main line from flowing into the pipes. There will be a hose bib (small faucet) located after the isolation valve, either inside the home or outside before the backflow preventer. Place a bucket underneath this faucet, then open the hose bib to drain the water from the main sprinkler line.

Open and close the valves on the backflow preventer and on the manual drain valves to release any air pressure that is still remaining in the system, then close the valves to keep the sprinkler system isolated for the winter. The irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads should now be clear of any water, preventing them from freezing in the winter weather.

Continue to blow water out of the sprinkler heads in the first zone until the spray of water ends, then open the next furthest or highest sprinkler zone and close the first zone. Move through each zone until all sprinkler zones have been blown out.This project describes one type of set-up, but there are other types. In some irrigation systems, the irrigation boxes are in a box in the ground, with a RPZ to protect the local water supply. Note which type of set-up you have before proceeding. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Note: the air pressure should not exceed 80 PSI if you have PVC piping or 50 PSI for polyethylene irrigation systems to avoid damaging the components. Excessive pressure can cause the pipes to burst open.Now starting with the irrigation head farthest from the compressor, turn on each sprinkler head. Do this for all the sprinkler heads as you work your way towards the main water line. Shut off each head when it stops spraying water. Depending on the type of timer you use, you can also set it to rain mode. That way, your programming will remain unchanged, and you can simply set it back to how it was after the winter. If your system is on uneven terrain, start your sprinkler blow out with the higher level zones first. The higher zones may need higher pressure, so you need to get them out of the way before lowering the pressure on the compressor. Don’t wait. Get in touch with the Sprinkler Supply Store today for excellent service and a wide range of tools and supplies to winterize your system. Don’t take our word for it,here’s what other happy customers had to say: The blow out method entails blowing in air at high pressure into the pipes to force all the water out of the irrigation system. The pressurized air pushes any water left in the lines and discharges it through the sprinkler heads.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.With the other methods like the automatic and manual drain methods, there’s no way to ensure that there are no trace amounts of water left inside the pipes.As the freezing winter season approaches, it’s critical to put your sprinklers to bed. Doing so prevents water freezing inside the irrigation pipes and system components which could cause cracks or damage.

If your watering system uses a timer, you will need to shut it down. This reduces the risk of electrical or mechanical faults while the irrigation system is offline.Once the lines start filling up with air, you will see the water coming out of all the water taps attached to the sprinkler line. When all the water sprays out of the open taps, close all of the taps except the one that’s attached to the air compressor.

Alternatively, you can turn on each zone manually or on the controller. Wait for the water spray to stop, then turn off that zone and proceed to the next.Close the airflow valves on the compressor and attach the coupler to the end of the air compressor hose, in turn attaching it to the air compressor blow out adapter on the irrigation system.

As the lines shift, they will cause the angle of drainage to change, affecting the gravitational flow of water. This will mean that the water may not drain out.

Smaller compressors will not be able to blow air through the underground piping over a long distance. You’ll need to buy or rent a large enough compressor for the job.

We guarantee all your sprinkler system parts against any damage when we do your sprinkler blowout. We are a licensed and insured company and take our time to make sure the job is done right.

Second, the blow-out process (which most systems will require) can cause damage to system components if it’s not performed properly. And finally, blowing out a sprinkler system requires a fairly powerful air compressor, which most homeowners don’t have in their garages. These can be rented (a 10 cubic-feet-per-minute model is recommended), but if you’re already going to that expense, you might be able to hire a pro for not much more.

That’s all there is to it! Stay warm for the next few months, and before you know it, it will be time to learn how to de-winterize irrigation system equipment for spring.Slowly open the air compressor valve to begin blowing air into the system. You or your spotter should see water coming from the zone’s drain valve, if not the sprinkler heads themselves. As soon as the water stops flowing, close the compressor valve. Failure to do so can cause your sprinkler head gears to spin so fast they could melt. When all the water is out of the line, close the drain valve at the end of the zone and move on to the next closest zone.

If your system is equipped with a removable pump, it’s also best to completely disconnect the pump and bring it inside for the winter. The pump may be located under a cover in an underground pit. If there’s a fully integrated pump, cover it with a plastic bag or insulating blanket.Unless you live in one of the southernmost regions of America, chances are there’s no need to irrigate your lawn in the winter. But simply shutting down your sprinkler system isn’t enough — you must also completely drain the water from the system to prevent it from freezing, expanding and cracking your underground pipes. Learning how to protect a sprinkler system from freezing isn’t rocket science, but it’s still worth thinking twice about whether to do it yourself.

Next, adjust the pressure gauge on the air compressor to 80 psi if you have a PVC pipe system, or 50 psi if you have a polyethylene pipe system. Exceeding these maximums could cause your pipes to crack.Begin by closing the main supply valve as well as the valves on either side of your system’s backflow device, which will protect it from damage caused by the compressed air. Make sure your air compressor hose valve is closed, then remove the cap on the blow-out port and use your quick connect adapter to connect the compressor hose to the port. You’re now ready to blow out the pipes zone by zone. Start with the zone farthest away and open the drain valve at the end of the line. Use the control panel to open that zone only and put on your eye protection. This goes for your spotter, too, if you have one — just in case you accidentally pressurize the line too much and pop off one or more sprinkler heads. After you’ve purged every zone, open the backflow device valves and the stop and waste valve to drain whatever water remains between your main valve and the backflow device. The system should be dry now, but you’re not quite finished.Welcome to the Take Charge of Your Home series from Direct Energy! Hiring a professional to perform household maintenance may offer convenience and peace of mind. You can do many of these jobs yourself with no experience or special tools. In the process, you’ll save money, learn about how your home works and gain a sense of accomplishment. A DIY task done well! There are a few more components of your system that may need protecting, most notably your main valve. There’s water sitting right behind it, and some of it is probably in a small section of pipe that is exposed to the elements. Wrap this length of pipe in insulating foam and secure it with zip ties, then tie a plastic bag over the entire valve. This will help prevent it from freezing in low winter temperatures. As winter approaches, we get our yards ready by trimming back branches, clearing out flower beds, and preparing our lawn for colder weather. Winterizing your sprinkler system is another important step in preparing for winter and must be done correctly to be effective.

With a simple adapter and pancake-style air compressor that is found in most garages or workshops, you can do the sprinkler blowout yourself in less than 1 hour!Sprinkler pipes burst when there is trapped water inside the pipe that freezes, then expands. When the pipe can no longer expand, it bursts, which will cause a lot of costly damage.

Typically, this is located in your yard underground. In our area, it’s covered with a green lid that says “control valve”. The water shut-off is also located inside this box and is usually a handle. When you’ve located this, turn the handle to shut off the water supply.

Need to blow out your sprinkler system to get ready for winter? Do it yourself! Follow along with this easy step-by-step tutorial for beginners to learn how to winterize sprinklers with an air compressor. As a side note, the system will sound much different during the blowout as there is air being pushed through the lines instead of water. You’ll also visually be able to see the water stop. If you can’t see the sprinkler zone while standing at your control box, have another person help you out. If you’ve ever had a pipe burst or know someone who has, you know it’s not a fun experience. Bursting pipes can flood an entire yard or home basement. It can also cost thousands of dollars to repair.A sprinkler blowout is the process of pushing pressurized air through the sprinkler system lines expelling all remaining water from the pipes. This prevents water from freezing inside of the pipes, causing corrosion, rot, and bursting pipes. Go zone by zone, running each zone for about 1-2 minutes each or until there is no more water coming through the sprinkler heads. Between each zone, allow a few minutes for the sprinkler lines to cool to avoid melting. Once the air compressor comes to full pressure, turn on the sprinkler system from the control box. This is the box on the side of your house with the buttons to schedule your automatic sprinklers or manually turn on your sprinkler.If you are installing your own sprinkler system, here are plenty of tips for installing a sprinkler valve manifold and other tips that are good to know before you begin preparing your landscaping for fall.

This tutorial to winterize your sprinkler system contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t recommend wholeheartedly. Read my full disclosure here. At 32 degrees Fahrenheit, your sprinkler system is at risk of freezing. Pipes with smaller amounts of water may freeze at temperatures slightly above freezing. If you live in a place where temperatures dip to freezing or close to it, a blowout is necessary to prevent bursting pipes. If the sprinklers are going to be turned off for an extended amount of time, a blowout is necessary.We’ve found that many couples don’t know how to start renovating their homes, which is why our passion is teaching others how to make their house a home they love – one DIY at a time.

Learning how to winterize your sprinkler system is easy and something every homeowner should learn. You definitely want to have this skill up your sleeve (even if it’s something you usually hire out). What happens if you get an early freeze and need to take care of the sprinkler blowout yourself before your landscaping crew can make it to your house?But, you can do this simple landscape chore within a few hours to prevent bursting pipes. While this chore is critical for a healthy sprinkler system, it’s also easy enough for any DIYer. All you need is a simple adapter, 4-6-gallon air compressor, and a hose long enough to reach from the sprinkler control valve to the compressor.

Now that the water is off, manually drain the excess water from the sprinkler’s water supply line. Do this by removing the top to the line with a crescent wrench. This relieves pressure from the inside of the sprinkler lines before we blow out the water.

They’ve worked hard and fast to get our yard done and haven’t once told me “no” on any changes or extras I’ve wanted done. Prices are very reasonable considering the work they are doing 😊😊No. But our technicians must have access to your control box to finish the job. The only thing we want from you is that your water supply should be turned off already. You have to shut off the valve in the basement for that.

James took care of my aunts new house. Highly recommend. He called me back quickly, showed up on time and put in concrete curbing and pavers. It looks really nice. At James’s Sprinkler & Landscape, we guarantee to provide budget-friendly winterization services. This blowout process takes a little time & this investment is worth the cost. No. Our compressors come with the governor on it to maintain the pressure of 60-80 psi & more. This amount of pressure is safe for all the sprinklers, pipes and fittings.Senske has a team of professional technicians who have the latest equipment to tackle your sprinkler blowout. We also carry insurance and stand behind our work with guarantees that protect you. By hiring us, you can be confident that your property is protected and your sprinkler will be ready for winter.

If you’re ready to protect your sprinkler system, hire the pros from Senske. Enjoy the confidence that comes with the Senske guarantee, and know that we will send a licensed, insured, and bonded professional to your home, with top-of-the-line equipment to do the job well. Contact our team today to learn more about our sprinkler blowout services, and do what you can to protect your home.A sprinkler blowout will force out all of that water, so you can be certain the system is dry. This prevents cracked or burst pipes around your home. It’s an important part of preparing your system for freezing weather.A sprinkler blowout takes the process a step further. It uses an industrial grade air compressor to blow all of the water out of the system. After the water has been expelled using high pressure air, the system is examined carefully to ensure it is ready for the winter. Winterization combined with a sprinkler blowout gives you the best opportunity of getting through winter without damage to your sprinkler system.As you prepare your yard and home for winter, it’s easy to forget about your sprinkler system. Yet the sprinkler system needs some attention beyond simply shutting off the water at the end of fall. A sprinkler blowout is an important part of this process. Here’s a closer look at this important winterization step, and why you need to tackle it before you turn off the sprinkler for the winter.

Your sprinkler system is made up of a network of hoses and pipes that run to the sprinkler heads. Water is constantly in these, which is why the sprinklers start flowing quickly when you turn the system on. Yet in the winter when temperatures dip below freezing, the water inside those pipes expands. This can lead to cracks and leaks. Replacing the sprinkler system can cost thousands of dollars, and repairs are cumbersome and costly.Blowing out water from the pipes ensures there is enough room within the pipes for any residual moisture to freeze and expand without breaking the pipes.

Although 20-50 CFM is the most common air compressor recommendation for landscapers, some professionals are comfortable with air compressors that produce higher CFM than the standard guidelines and have learned how to use these compressors without damaging the sprinkler system.

Reciprocating air compressors are popular with landscapers because they can often meet air demand with a minimal price point. However, it’s important to note that reciprocating air compressors don’t always produce the volume of air that their CFM rating suggests.

To recap, landscapers can quickly calculate their CFM requirements using the GPM per zone / 7.5 = CFM formula. Alternatively, use this chart to eliminate the math and find out how much CFM you need:The UNDERHOOD is a belt-driven air compressor that uses the vehicle’s engine to power the system. As the truck or van idles up and down, the air compressor also idles up and down. Because the air compressor integrates with the vehicle, landscapers with UNDERHOOD air compressors have instant air on demand anywhere their vehicle goes.

Landscapers need to ensure that their air compressors can run at the desired CFM for at least five minutes at a time. Most reciprocating air compressors will require an air receiver tank that is at least 10 gallons to accomplish this, but a 20-, 30- or 50-gallon air tank may be required for larger sprinkler systems with multiple zones.Landscapers with diesel trucks may prefer VMAC’s D60 diesel driven air compressor, which can plumb directly into the truck’s fuel source. This feature eliminates the need to think about refueling the air compressor, as it gets fuel right from the truck. After a reciprocating air compressor builds up air in its tank, the compressor produces a burst of air that initially meets the CFM rating. But the air quickly loses its volume as the tank empties, which means some of the air leaving the compressor is significantly lower than the CFM rating. Nothing ruins someone’s day like a burst pipe, which is why it’s crucial to winterize sprinkler pipes and irrigation pipes every year. One of the most effective ways to winterize these systems is using the blowout method, in which landscapers use an air compressor to blow out the water in pipes.In other words, take the GPM of each sprinkler zone and divide it by 7.5 to get a quick estimate of the CFM requirements. (Source.) For example, a 225 GPM system divided by 7.5 would require 30 CFM of compressed air. If you plan to blow out multiple zones at a time, your CFM requirements will increase.

The G30 weighs only 205 pounds, making it significantly lighter than reciprocating gas powered air compressors. It is also 50% smaller than competitive models, allowing landscapers to fit more tools, supplies, and equipment on their trucks.The D60 has an optional wheel kit accessory, making it easy to wheel around various job sites. Alternatively, the D60 can be mounted directly to a landscaping truck. Either option provides great versatility and easy access to work sites.

If an air compressor doesn’t produce enough air, water will remain in the pipes. If the air compressor pushes too much air or is pressurized too high, the compressed air can crack pipes and break sprinkler heads, causing permanent damage to the irrigation system. Lower CFM ranges are ideal for smaller pipes under 1”, while larger CFM ranges may be required for pipes larger than 1”.

Landscapers can also choose between two models: a standard horizontal design, and a stacked design that is made to fit within a work truck compartment.

When it comes to choosing an air compressor for winterization, landscapers need to consider both CFM, the volume of air, and psi, the pressure of that air. The ideal air compressor for winterization typically produces between 20 to 50 CFM at 50 psi.By contrast, rotary screw air compressors operate at 100% duty cycle and produce a steady stream of compressed air at their CFM rating. For this reason, rotary screw air compressors typically do not require an air receiver tank for landscapers to perform winterization work.Regardless of CFM, the psi should always remain low, as pipes are prone to cracking when the air pressure is too high. Rigid PVC pipe can handle slightly higher pressures of up to 80 psi, while polyethylene pipe is more likely to break above 50 psi.

Another highly innovative air compressor solution for landscapers is the UNDERHOOD air compressor series. UNDERHOOD air compressors are mounted directly to the engine compartment of the work truck, which means they take up minimal deck space. It is an excellent choice for landscapers who need to save cargo space and reduce their GVW.

VMAC’s G30 gas driven air compressor is the most affordable rotary screw air compressor available in the market. It produces 30 CFM of air at continuous duty, providing ample air for blowing out pipes and sprinkler systems. The default setting is 100 psi, which should be reduced using a pressure regulator valve to 50 psi for winterization work.

Below is an example of the damage caused by water freezing in PVC pipe. The particular section was 10 feet long, but we also replaced a 3-foot section in the parking strip, and another broken pipe under the driveway that was almost 20 feet long. When PVC pipe freezes it usually ends up with a spiral crack that runs the entire length of the pipe from coupling to coupling. By the time we were finished with all the sprinkler system repairs at this home the bill was near $400.00. All because the system was not blown out the previous fall. This was nearly 15 years ago, and would cost considerably more now to repair. For those of you who have been priveleged enough to have met him, this picture is a 15-16 year old Jacob!These terms are often used synonymously when it comes to protecting your irrigation lines from freezing. A blowout is the most common method of winterizing your sprinkler system and is the service Warner’s recommends. There are a couple of scenarios where a blow out isn’t needed. The first is if you are using a high-end irrigation system with automatic sprinkler draining. The second is if your irrigation lines were installed on a slope; in that case, you can simply open your drain valves and shut off the main water supply to the system so all the water can trickle out. We do not recommend this, as there isn’t a way to be 100% certain that all water is cleared from the lines.

Water left in your sprinkler system will freeze over the winter, and as the water expands into ice it can damage your system components. Our sprinkler system blowout in the fall is the best way to avoid this damage and prepare your system for a smooth start-up in the spring. Learn more about sprinkler blowouts below and contact Warner’s to schedule your sprinkler blowout.A sprinkler system must be blown out using an air compressor to eliminate standing water that can freeze, and expand during the winter months. All lines in your sprinkler system are blown out, zone by zone

Mike’s Backflow are trained in the proper procedures to winterize and blow out any size underground lawn sprinkler, garden, or drip irrigations system. The equipment used is specifically regulated to deliver the precise amount of compressed air (based on manufacturer specifications) that will correctly remove the residual water in all of the systems’ main lines, lateral lines, manifold, and solenoid valves. When properly performed, the sprinkler heads, solenoid valves and piping will not be compromised by excess pressure or friction by an improperly regulated air compressor. Winterizing an irrigation system is essentially a way to protect yard irrigation systems from damage during the freezing months of winter. What some people may not know is that if you do not prepare your sprinklers, valves and pipes for the onslaught of freezing weather, you will end up with a damaged sprinkler system when spring arrives. This would mean huge costs in repairs or even the replacement of your entire irrigation system. Draining your system using the blow out method is not as easy as it may sound. Since you will need to use pressurized air to remove all of the water from your irrigation system. There are also rules that need to be followed when this method is used to clear sprinkler system pipes and heads of water for winterization. This is why you should entrust this task to professionals at Mike’s Backflow.October 1st thru November 15th (temperature permitting) is the optimal time window to winterize and blow out your lawn sprinkler irrigation system. Mike’s Backflow will have already scheduled your planned maintenance visit and will be contacting you to remind you of that day and time window. We guarantee all our work.When winterized correctly, your lawn sprinkler system will be ready to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at it over the winter season. As spring rolls around again and the temperatures begin to increase, you can be assured that the friendly and knowledgeable staff at Mike’s Backflow will be on the job and ready to do it all over again.

If not performed properly, damage can result to the irrigation system and will be evident the following season when the sprinkler system is started up again. That is why it is very important to avoid the seasonally advertised “SPECIAL” for this service. In the end, it will cost you more money to repair the damage done by a “DIY guy” or handyman who is not fully licensed, insured, trained, or equipped.Being located in a region where temperatures can dip below freezing for an extended period of time requires every exterior lawn sprinkler system to be winterized, blown out, and shut down at the end of the season. The process will help to assure that the coming winter and freezing temperatures do not damage your lawn sprinkler system’s components and piping. This service needs to be performed by not only a trained lawn sprinkler technician, but it requires the correct use of specialized equipment.

When a yard sprinkler system is winterized, what happens is all water from all your sprinkler heads, pipes and sprinkler valves is removed. This is done so that when freezing temperatures happen, the water remaining in these sprinkler parts do not freeze up and damage them. Since water expands when ice is formed, the tendency is for your pipes and other sprinkler parts to crack from this expansion. Winterizing prevents such damage from happening.

Time of Service: $55 flat fee up to 10 stations, and $4 per zone above 10. Extra fee for obstructed valves, pump winterizations, and commercial systems.Our sprinkler winterization method is to blow out all the water in the lines, then open your drain and backflow valves to prevent water collecting and expanding. It is very important to keep the backflow valve handles at a 45 degree angle, something the fly by night blowout guys may forget, which can lead to an unpleasant leak in the spring when the system is turned on again.We blowout all types of sprinkler systems across the Treasure Valley: Residential, Home Owners Associations, Property Management Companies, and Lawn Care Companies in Boise, Meridian and Eagle.

The time is here once again to schedule your sprinkler system “blow out” to prevent damage from frost, before October 31st to be the safest, and certainly before the end of November.From Business: Pipos Lawn Care provides Lawn Care Services, Mowing Services, Shrub and Garden Care, and Commercial Grounds Maintenance for residential and commercial property…

From Business: We provide seasonal and year-round landscape maintenance, tree service and preventative weed and disease control, as well as professional pest control services YP – The Real Yellow Pages – helps you find the right local businesses to meet your specific needs. Search results are sorted by a combination of factors to give you a set of choices in response to your search criteria. These factors are similar to those you might use to determine which business to select from a local Yellow Pages directory, including proximity to where you are searching, expertise in the specific services or products you need, and comprehensive business information to help evaluate a business’s suitability for you. “Preferred” listings, or those with featured website buttons, indicate YP advertisers who directly provide information about their businesses to help consumers make more informed buying decisions. YP advertisers receive higher placement in the default ordering of search results and may appear in sponsored listings on the top, side, or bottom of the search results page. From Business: Heritage Professional Landscaping and Maintenance can handle all your landscaping and yard maintenance. From start to finish, your project will be our priority.…

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