When should I winterize my sprinkler system in Utah?

You need to drain your sprinkler system and then shut it down completely before the first freezing temperatures arrive. Don't risk freezing pipes by waiting too long. Keep an eye on the forecast once temperatures start to dip. This will likely be sometime in October or November but will vary depending on the year.

Similarly one may ask, when should I winterize my sprinkler system?

As a general rule, you should winterize your system at least a week before the first freeze is expected. Your grass will survive without regular watering during that time, as the plants are already preparing for the dry winter season.

Also, when should I turn off my sprinklers? 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.

Also to know, when should I turn on my sprinkler system in Utah?

If you leave footprints on the grass, it is usually time to water. Turn your sprinkler system off during or after a rainstorm and leave it off until the plants need to be watered again.

What happens if you don't winterize your sprinkler system?

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.

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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.

How do I protect my sprinkler system from freezing?

Insulate your assets:

Shut off the water supply to the irrigation system. The main shut off valve for your irrigation system needs to be protected against freezing. Make sure it is wrapped with insulation (foam insulation tape and a plastic bag) to protect it from harsh winter temperatures and prevent it from freezing.

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.

At what temperature will sprinkler system freeze?

32 degrees

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 do I purge my sprinkler system for winter?

Set the compressor air pressure regulator to a maximum of 80 psi for rigid PVC pipe systems, or 50 psi for flexible black polyethylene pipe. Then turn off the water supply and set the system timer to open just one zone. Next, open the manual drain valve at the end of that zone (if equipped).

When should I stop watering my lawn in Utah?

Watering: It's time to cut back on watering the lawn in September. You should only need to water every six or so days through the month, tapering off to no water in the months of November and December. If you live outside of the Wasatch Front, you may not need to cut back until November.

Why is watering grass at night bad?

While watering during the day causes water to evaporate too quickly, watering in the evening allows water to cling to the grass for too long. Overnight, the water will continue to rest in the soil, around the roots, and on top the foliage, which will encourage it to rot, develop fungus, and attract insects.

Is it better to water your lawn in the morning or at night?

And watering in the morning keeps the turf cooler during the hot parts of the day, which means less stress on the grass. "A wet lawn at night is the perfect condition for fungus to grow." Along with cutting the lawn too short, watering a lawn at night is about the worst thing you can do to it, he says.

How long should you water each zone?

Try this: Cut in half the amount of time you water each zone, but run your watering program twice. In other words, instead of watering each zone for 30 minutes, water each zone for 15 minutes, then cycle through all the zones again for another 15 minutes.

What time of day should I water my lawn?

Daytime Watering

The best time of day to water your lawn is when air temperatures are lower and there is dew on the ground. Temperatures are usually at their lowest during the late evening or early morning. Most lawns benefit from watering two to three times per week.

How do I winterize my sprinkler system without a blowout?

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.

Should sprinkler valves be open or closed?

Make sure the sprinkler valve is closed, unless it's the valve farthest from the main water source. You'll want to leave this valve open and remove the sprinkler nozzle to allow air to escape when you turn on the water.

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.

Where is my sprinkler shut off valve?

Locate the main shutoff valve on your irrigation system. It is between the main water supply to your home and the sprinkler controller. Alternately, the main shutoff is located outdoors near a faucet bib. The main valve may be in a box in this area to protect it from the elements.

Do you need a backflow preventer on sprinkler system?

The key to preventing backflow is to have a properly installed, maintained, and inspected backflow prevention device as part of your culinary water system. The answer is: you need backflow prevention if you have a culinary water connection that may be used to supply a sprinkler system.

What is a fire backflow?

When used in the context of a fire sprinkler system, a backflow preventer device is used to ensure that water does not flow from the sprinkler system back into the municipal water supply, or other source of drinking water. The backflow preventer is intended to prevent water flowing back towards the main supply.