Describe one common method of winterizing an irrigation system.

Describe one common method of winterizing an irrigation system.

• A. Blow-out with compressed air to remove water from pipes and prevent freezing (or using antifreeze in some systems).
• B. Leaving water in pipes for the winter.
• C. Running irrigation to freeze.
• D. Painting pipes.

Answer: (A)

Winterizing aims to protect the irrigation system from freeze damage by removing water from the lines. The most common method is blowing the water out with compressed air. A compressor is hooked up to the irrigation mainline or a blow-out port, and dry air is pushed through each zone to push water out of pipes, valves, risers, and sprinkler heads. With the water removed, there’s little that can crack or burst when temperatures drop below freezing. In many systems you’ll also drain or isolate the backflow preventer and other traps as part of the process, then perform the blow-out in stages, usually starting with the zones farthest from the compressor and moving back toward the mainline. Some setups may use antifreeze in certain components, but for typical installations the compressed-air method is preferred because it leaves no liquid water behind and avoids introducing chemicals. Leaving water in pipes or running irrigation to freeze would cause damage, and painting pipes provides no protection against freezing.

Winterizing aims to protect the irrigation system from freeze damage by removing water from the lines. The most common method is blowing the water out with compressed air. A compressor is hooked up to the irrigation mainline or a blow-out port, and dry air is pushed through each zone to push water out of pipes, valves, risers, and sprinkler heads. With the water removed, there’s little that can crack or burst when temperatures drop below freezing.

In many systems you’ll also drain or isolate the backflow preventer and other traps as part of the process, then perform the blow-out in stages, usually starting with the zones farthest from the compressor and moving back toward the mainline. Some setups may use antifreeze in certain components, but for typical installations the compressed-air method is preferred because it leaves no liquid water behind and avoids introducing chemicals. Leaving water in pipes or running irrigation to freeze would cause damage, and painting pipes provides no protection against freezing.