If you have an outdoor irrigation system, there are a few steps you can take to prepare it for winter. This includes draining leftover water, insulating the pipes, and protecting the main shut-off valve. It will also be helpful to bring your outdoor hoses inside, so they don’t freeze and crack.

Water pipes

To prevent damage to the irrigation system from freezing, it’s essential to winterize your water pipes. Proper winterization will prevent frozen pipes and costly repairs in the spring. There are a couple of methods you can use to winterize your lawn irrigation system.

Make sure the irrigation system’s backflow preventer is removed. It’s typically held in place by union connections. Disconnect the backflow preventer by unscrewing it from the bends. Wrap the insulation pipe with plastic or sheet insulation. Then secure the plastic with foam tape.

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Insulate backflow preventers

It is important to drain your lawn irrigation system and winterize backflow preventers for safety reasons. You can empty your lawn irrigation system, open the backflow preventer device, and blow out the water. If you are unsure how to do this, call us!

The backflow preventer is located outside your home or in the basement. It is usually near the water shutoff valve in a control box near the water meter. To access it, turn the ball valves in the control box to a 45-degree angle. You may need to open the test valves on the backflow preventer to ensure the water drains completely.

You can winterize your lawn irrigation system in cold climates by wrapping the backflow preventer with insulation. Use self-sticking foam insulating tape to cover the backflow preventer, but ensure that you don’t obstruct drain outlets or air vents.

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Drain leftover water

Before winter sets in, it’s essential to drain leftover water from your lawn irrigation system. The cold weather can cause these pipes to freeze and crack, so you should drain them before freezing temperatures begin. You can also use insulating tape or plastic bags to prevent freezing and bursting. But remember, this is a potentially dangerous task that should be done by an irrigation professional. You should also wear protective gear, such as eye and hand protection.

Several ways to winterize your lawn irrigation system include manually draining it or automatically turning off the water supply. Manual draining is preferred if your system has manual drain valves on low points. In addition, you should open the boiler drain valve to drain any remaining water.

You can also use an air compressor to empty the water from your irrigation system. If you don’t have one, you can use the hose spigot to disconnect the water supply. If the water supply is not shut off, you can use a wet/dry shop vac to remove the remaining water. Close the manual drain valves.

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Protect the main shut-off valve

Before winter sets in, ensure the main shut-off valve is protected from freezing. The valve should be wrapped in insulating foam or sealed with plastic. You can purchase this at your local home improvement store. This will prevent water from freezing and avoid damage to the valve.

You can also protect the valve by wrapping it in a heavy plastic bag. The main shut-off valve is usually located near the main water meter and should be protected from freezing. You can either install a valve inside a heated room, bury it below the frost line near the water meter, or mount it outdoors above ground.

If your lawn irrigation system has a main shut-off valve, you must winterize it to prevent freezing. You can also cover other valves to avoid condensation. Make sure the valve is insulated and that all above-ground piping is insulated. The backflow prevention device should also be drained and insulated.

 

Are you looking for professional irrigation sprinkler winterization and de-winterization services near you?

Waterworks Irrigation provides holistic assistance in effectively draining and winterizing irrigation sprinkler systems, whether a pesky leak plagues your system, a needed complete overhaul, or needs to be adequately drained and winterized for the season.

 

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If you want your water feature running all year, you need to follow simple steps. First, drain the water feature, including the central basin. Drain the plumbing lines. This will keep pipes freezing up during the winter. Secondly, apply a granular contact algaecide.

Precautions to take

Depending on the type of water feature, several precautions can be taken when winterizing it. For example, you should always drain the central basin and any plumbing lines. This will help prevent any water from freezing and cracking the foundation of your water feature.

While it’s possible to leave your water feature running for a few weeks in milder climates, most water features are best disassembled and stored indoors. This will prevent damage to the water pump and plumbing. This can save you time and money. Also, if you live in a temperate climate, you’ll need to remove the filter liners.

Covering your water feature

Depending on your climate, you may be able to leave your water feature running during the winter months. This can produce spectacular ice formations. To avoid this issue, you should cover your water feature before winter begins. You should also disconnect your pump and remove any water from your water feature. Once this is done, cover the water feature completely. Covering your water feature can help protect your investment and avoid expensive repairs.

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Using GreenClean

If you’re preparing to close your outdoor water feature for the winter, you need to winterize it properly. The first step is clearing away debris. You can do this by vacuuming or pressure washing it.

The next step is to drain the water feature. This ensures your water feature won’t break during winter. During the winter, a water feature can be a beautiful sight.

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Using a granular contact algaecide

As the cold weather sets in, it’s essential to winterize your water feature before the first frost. Removing plants and cleaning debris from the bottom of your pump vault is also necessary. Then apply a water-activated granular contact algaecide.

Algae can still accumulate even if you don’t have fish, leaves, or other organic debris. Beneficial bacteria can help clean the water and feed on string algae.

Using a fountain cover

The winter months can be harsh for water features, so protecting them from water accumulation is important. You can protect them with a fountain cover. Fountain covers are available in various sizes and should be tied securely to keep the water out. Without a cover, snow melt can accumulate and permanently damage your fountain. Since the concrete used in fountains is porous, water can quickly freeze and cause cracks in the stone. It can also split the fountain’s vessel.

A fountain cover can be made of tarpaulin or polyester-coated PVC. If you don’t want to buy a cover, you can use an old bath towel, burlap, or other dry fabric. A fabric cover will prevent water from freezing and expanding against the water fountain bowl, leading to damage and delays next spring.

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Turning off your water feature

If you’ve got a water feature in your yard, you may be tempted to leave it on during the winter. The freezing temperatures can cause cracks in rocks and stones in fountains, streams, and other water features. Winterization is essential to prevent damage, even if you don’t have a pond or a water feature with bubbling rocks.

You’ll also need to drain water from your water feature’s plumbing lines, and you’ll want to disconnect your water feature’s power source. This will prevent water from freezing inside the pipes, leading to costly damage.

 

Need help getting your Water Feature winter ready?

It’s time to prepare your water features for the cold weather. Here at Waterworks, we provide a range of water feature services – from installation to regular service checks to winterization. So if you’re worried about your fountain or pond freezing this winter, don’t be! Let us take care of everything. We can have your water feature looking great and running smoothly all winter long.

 

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