[Shop-talk] Winterizing Sprinkler System

[Scott Hall]

Jim,

I'm going to assume this is a similar thing to winterizing a swimming
pool.

For pools, there are frequent warnings abounot using a compressor to blow
the lines, or to make sure to keep the PSI below 20.

It is frequently mentioned that a shop vac or dedicated blower tool is
preferred.  The thought is that to remove the air high pressure is not the
goal (and that high pressure and damage the PVC pipe and related fittings)
but rather high volume.  And that a shop vac is the better way to achieve
that.

At least that's what the internet said.

I used my compressor, set to 15 psi.  I guess we'll know in the spring how
I did--it just hit 18 degrees here this morning.

It sounds like your sprinkler system operates similarly.

On Fri, Nov 8, 2019, 8:24 AM Jim Stone via Shop-talk <
shop-talk at autox.team.net> wrote:

> The Amazon adaptor arrived yesterday, so I thought I’d update this with
> some new information.  The adaptor was well made and the shut-off valve
> proved to be very handy; it was well worth the $20.  It also came with
> excellent instructions that mostly agreed with what was said here, with one
> exception: it said “avoid blowing compressed air through the PVB because
> doing so may damage the BVP.”  I assume my system has a BVP in it, but
> can’t find it and just went ahead and blew it out from the basement as
> discussed.
>
> The instructions also recommend that the compressor should be "as large as
> possible, preferably 15 gallons or larger.”  I think that is good advice,
> as my little HF 8 gallon compressor was barely (I think) up to the task.  I
> initially set it to 50 lbs, the recommended pressure, but it was only
> putting out about 40 lbs during use, so I turned that up to get it a little
> higher.  Even so, the compressor would fully extend the spray heads for the
> first 15 seconds or so, then just bubble water out with the head
> retracted.  The compressor ran constantly while the system was on, so I
> gave it a rest between blowing out each zone.  I also blew out each zone at
> least three times, but there was sill some spray at the beginning each
> time.  I am going to do it one more time today, but know it won’t be
> completely dry.  I assume it won’t be an issue when the little bit of water
> remaining in the system freezes, but someone please let me know if I am
> wrong about this.  My 60 gal compressor is about 150 yards away from the
> water inlet, but I could make that work if necessary.
>
> Just in time, as the cold weather arrived today, with the first below
> freezing temps expected tonight.
>
> Cheers,
> Jim
>
> On Nov 5, 2019, at 11:32 AM, Jim Stone <1789alpine at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I need to drain and winterize my new sprinkler system and can’t imagine I
> need to pay someone to do that job.  While I understand the ‘proper’ way to
> do it is to manually open each valve, I was told a few years ago that it is
> easier to just pressurize the system at the drain valve and then use the
> manual function on the controller to run through each zone until no more
> water comes out.  (FWIW, my system is not that large and has 6 zones.). I
> was thinking about rigging something up that would allow me to attach my
> compressor and walk away, but found this on Amazon, which seems like a good
> investment that would pay for itself on the first use:
> https://www.amazon.com/Winterize-Sprinkler-Systems-Outdoor-Faucets/dp/B0055QAAIQ/ref=asc_df_B0055QAAIQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309735714375&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11131050794144962178&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004590&hvtargid=pla-570302725618&psc=1.
> I could save around $10 and just buy a hose to quick disconnect fitting,
> but the shut off valve seems like a good addition.
>
> I have fairly large compressor, but think it will be more trouble than it
> is worth to get air to the master drain valve.  Instead, I was planning on
> just using my Harbor Freight 8 gal portable compressor.  (
> https://www.harborfreight.com/8-gal-2-hp-125-psi-oil-lube-air-compressor-68740.html).
>   My water pressure is regulated to 60 lbs, so I figured something around
> this should be sufficient.
>
> Am I missing anything?  Is there any good reason to pay a professional to
> do this job?  It seems like a no-brainer to me, but I’ve been called a
> no-brainer before.
>
> Thanks,
> Jim
>
>
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