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How To Winterize Your Below Ground Sprinkler System


Published on January 3, 2024
How To Winterize Your Below Ground Sprinkler System

As the crisp winter air sweeps through Georgetown, TX, residents eagerly embrace the season’s charm, from sipping hot cocoa at Cianfrani Coffee Co. to strolls by the San Gabriel River. Yet, amidst these seasonal joys, there’s an essential home maintenance task that shouldn’t be overlooked: winterizing your RP backflow preventers. 

These vital components of your sprinkler system play a crucial role in protecting your home’s water supply from contamination and damage. As temperatures drop, the risk of freezing and subsequent damage to these preventers increases, making proper winterization not just a recommendation but a necessity.

Ensuring the Safety and Efficiency of Your Sprinkler System

In Georgetown, where maintaining the pristine condition of our lawns and gardens is a cherished endeavor, understanding the importance of safeguarding your sprinkler system in winter, especially the RP backflow preventers, is crucial. At American Irrigation, we ensure that your sprinkler system in Georgetown, TX, including its backflow preventers, is thoroughly and effectively winterized.

This crucial step not only extends your system’s life but also preserves your lawn’s health and beauty throughout the winter months. Let us take the hassle out of sprinkler winterization for you, ensuring your system is well-prepared for the colder months ahead. Our team encourages you to watch this video with irrigation specialist, Sean Leschber who will go over tips for preparing and maintaining your sprinkler system for the winter. If your sprinkler is below ground make sure to shut it off and check the backflow connector.

Sprinkler System Preparation for the Winter Months

As the winter months approach in Georgetown, TX, homeowners must turn their attention to the maintenance of their sprinkler systems to prevent damage from freezing temperatures. One key aspect of this maintenance is ensuring that your sprinkler system, particularly the RP backflow preventer, is properly shut off and protected. Below, we delve into the crucial steps and measures you can take to safeguard your winter sprinkler system, ensuring it remains functional and efficient throughout the cold season. 

The following tips for sprinkler systems in winter are invaluable for every homeowner.

  • Understanding RP backflow preventers 
  • Draining the RP backflow preventer 
  • Adjusting ball valves and the importance of unions 
  • Insulation techniques for protection 
  • Preventing freezing and long-term cold exposure 
  • Application of anti-corrosion spray

Understanding RP Backflow Preventers

The winter maintenance of a sprinkler system is vital, especially concerning the Reduced Pressure (RP) backflow preventer. 

This key component, typically installed below ground, prevents contaminated water from reversing back into the clean supply. Its check valves and relief valves maintain a safe water pressure balance. 

However, its underground location exposes it to freezing and damage in winter. Therefore, sprinkler winterization involves thoroughly draining and insulating the RP backflow preventer, ensuring the sprinkler system remains functional and the water quality is intact during the colder months. Check out our 20 point inspection and analysis for seasonal optimizations.

Draining the RP Backflow Preventer

Winterizing sprinkler systems in Georgetown, TX, involves key steps to protect the RP backflow preventer from freezing. Initially, turn off the main water supply to prevent water flow during winter. Next, drain water from the backflow preventer; if removal is not possible, loosen screws and valves to release trapped water. Use a wet shop vac for any residual moisture.

Drain water from sprinkler pipes, often through outdoor drain valves, and consider professional assistance for blowing out the pipes with an air compressor. Finally, insulate exposed pipes and the backflow preventer with materials like foam and keep valves half-open for residual water drainage.

Adjusting Ball Valves and the Importance of Unions

Adjusting the ball valves of your sprinkler system’s backflow preventer is vital for winter management. Set these valves to a 45° angle, putting them in a half-open state, which helps prevent freezing damage by allowing space for any residual water to expand. Equally important is the installation of unions and fittings that enable easy disconnection and reconnection of pipes. 

These are particularly useful in winter, as they facilitate the removal and indoor storage of the backflow preventer, thus protecting it from freezing conditions. If removed, ensure to check and hand-tighten unions and connections when reactivating the sprinkler system in spring.

Insulation Techniques for Protection

Insulating your sprinkler system for winter protection is crucial. A common technique involves wrapping the main shutoff valve and backflow preventer in insulation tape and then covering them with a heavy-duty trash bag. This approach helps safeguard these components from freezing temperatures, thus preventing potential damage during hard freezes. 

Additionally, using insulating bags offers extra protection for exposed parts. Remember to cover the backflow preventer adequately while ensuring that air vents or drainage areas remain unobstructed to maintain the system’s functionality throughout the cold season.

Preventing Freezing and Long-Term Cold Exposure

Preventing freezing and long-term cold exposure is essential for maintaining your sprinkler system during winter, especially in areas with prolonged freezing temperatures. Despite proper insulation, the risk persists due to water expansion upon freezing, which can damage pipes and other system components. 

Additionally, installing unions in your sprinkler system provides significant advantages for winterization. These unions enable easy disconnection and removal of system parts in regions experiencing consistently sub-freezing temperatures for extended durations, offering an extra layer of protection against harsh winter conditions.

Application of Anti-Corrosion Spray

Applying anti-corrosion spray is a critical step in winterizing your sprinkler system. This preventative measure is crucial for preventing rust, a common issue in sprinkler systems. The spray forms a protective barrier on the metal components of the valve, shielding them from moisture and other environmental factors that can cause corrosion. 

This practice is essential during the winter months when these components are more vulnerable to damage. Regular application of anti-corrosion spray plays a significant role in ensuring the durability and long-term functionality of your sprinkler system.

Essential Winter Maintenance for Your Sprinkler System with American Irrigation

The key to maintaining sprinkler systems in Georgetown, TX, is through diligent winterization and regular upkeep, including the annual application of anti-corrosion spray. This routine care, especially for RP backflow preventers, is crucial in ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of your system. If your sprinkler system happens to be above ground, then switch over to this post. 

American Irrigation, with our expertise and commitment to quality, stands ready to assist you in preparing for a safe and well-prepared winter season. To guarantee your sprinkler system remains in top condition, we highly recommend scheduling regular maintenance with us. Don’t wait until it’s too late. 

Give us a call today at (512) 943-6080 to safeguard your system against the winter elements!

Devynn Photo, Owner photo
About The Author

Justin Wilson

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