How do I winterize my Hunter irrigation system?

Locate the main drain valve, which is close to or on the main line shutoff valve, and place a bucket beneath it. Twist the valve open and allow the water to drain into the bucket completely. Leave the empty bucket beneath the open drain valve for the duration of winter.

Thereof, how do I winterize my irrigation system?

How Do I "Winterize" My Irrigation System

Insulate your assets: Shut off the water supply to the irrigation system.
Stay in control: If you have an automatic system then you will need to "shut down" the controller (timer).
Drain the pipes:
Protect valves and backflow preventers:

Similarly, when should I turn off my irrigation system? You should shut off your irrigation system just before temperatures in your region begin to dip below freezing at night. Don't shut off your irrigation system too early. Often homeowners shut their systems down as soon as the fall season arrives because they believe that their lawn requires less water.

In this regard, do I need to winterize my sprinkler system?

Watching the Weather. When temperatures start to fall, it's time to consider winterizing your sprinkler system. Your lines must be drained or blown out using an air compressor before the first hard freeze. As a general rule, you should winterize your system at least a week before the first freeze is expected.

What temperature will sprinklers freeze?

32 degrees

24 Related Question Answers Found

How do I drain the water from my sprinkler system?

Manual Drain Valve

Locate the manual drain valves situated downstream of each zone valve.
Turn off the water supply by closing the main valve to the sprinkler system.
Open all the manual drain valves for each zone in the system, and leave them open so that all the water drains from the pipes and sprinkler heads.

How much does it cost to winterize sprinkler system?

Sprinkler System Winterization Average Costs

Hiring a professional to winterize a sprinkler system typically costs $50 to $150 depending on the system size and local rates. Air compressor rental runs approximately $30 to $60 per day. A half-day rental, which should be sufficiently long for the job, is slightly cheaper.

What happens if you don't winterize sprinklers?

The Danger of Not Winterizing Your Sprinkler System

If you forget to winterize your sprinklers, you run the risk that water will freeze in the irrigation valves, pipes and sprinkler heads. When water freezes, it expands causing the parts of your system to burst and destroying your sprinkler system.

What month winterize sprinklers?

October 1st thru December 15th (temperature permitting) is the optimal time window to winterize your irrigation system! While the weather plays quite a big role each year in determining when clients want to winterize their system, we strongly recommend winterizing your system during this time frame.

How do I protect my sprinkler pipes from freezing?

Shut-off and drain in-ground sprinkler systems, including the backflow prevention device, then turn off the water to your sprinkler system. Wrap or cover exposed PVC pipes and above-ground backflow preventers. Simply turning off the controller will not protect your system against freeze damage.

How much does it cost to install an automatic sprinkler system?

A professionally installed system for a typical ¼-acre lot is $3,000 to $4,000. You can DIY it for under $1,500. The heart of an underground system is pop-up sprinkler heads. When working, the heads raise up a few inches to spray water on your landscape.

Will my sprinklers freeze at 20 degrees?

As a general rule, temperatures outside must drop to at least 20 degrees or lower to cause pipes to freeze.

When should I blowout my sprinklers?

A sprinkler blowout is usually best done in October in the northern climate of the United States. When to turn off your sprinkler, however, can be a delicate balance of good timing and luck. Do it too early, and your lawn may lose precious water it needs to prepare for the winter.

How do I winterize my sprinklers without a compressor?

You can winterize a sprinkler system without an air compressor if all of your irrigation lines are buried at a slight downhill slope. Simply shut off the main water supply to your system and open the drain valves at the end of each zone.

Why does my sprinkler system keep running?

There are two reasons why your sprinklers would continue running: It's possible your valves have been opened manually. You'll need to locate your valve box(es) and turn the solenoid(s) clockwise until snug. The solenoid is located on the top of the valve and looks like a cylinder with two wires protruding out of it.

Where can I turn off my sprinkler system?

The shutoff valve is often located in the basement, a utility room or closet. Most shutoff valves are ball valves that have a handle. If the handle is running with the pipe, the water is turned on to the system. To shut the water off, turn the handle 90 degrees until it stops.

Can it be too cold to water your lawn?

Watering the grass just before low temperatures hit can help protect it from frost damage. The water strengthens the grass, enabling it to fight the damage potentially caused by cold weather. Also, water releases heat more slowly than plant tissues, helping the blades retain heat longer than if they were dehydrated.

What temperature should I winterize my sprinkler system?

The reason is because you want to winterize your sprinkler system BEFORE we experience several days of freezing cold temperatures, specifically below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures drop below freezing, the water left inside in your sprinkler irrigation lines can freeze and cause extensive damage.

How do you turn off automatic sprinklers?

Turn the wheel clockwise as many times as you can so that it's completely closed. If you have a petcock (a round valve that looks like a large toothpaste cap) near your main shut-off valve, open that all the way. 3Turn off automatic controller. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, turn off the controller.

Do all sprinkler systems have a master valve?

A master valve is an automatic valve, typically an electric solenoid type valve, that is installed at the point where the irrigation system connects to the water supply. Most, but not all, irrigation controllers have a master valve circuit built in to them.