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Irrigation System Winterizing Water expands when frozen Frozen water expands in pipes and can burst Pipes broken with ice usually have long (length wise) spiraling cracks

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Winterizing in two ways: Manually draining or by blowing it out Blow out winterizing is the more common on large systems. Ball fields/residential may use drain valves.

1.Manually
To winterize a system manually there has to be drain off valves strategically located Drain off valves are costly to install Usually -2 Usually placed in a box over a gravel sump Pipe should maintain a slope of 1 % to the low points Make sure to have detailed as built to locate drains Drain valves MUST be in low spots of system

Grounds Maintenance October 1988

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Automatic drain valves available but they drain down after every water cycle.

Grounds Maintenance October 1988

2.Blow out:
Note for first one or two times to blow out hire a contractor and take detailed notes. Blowing a system out can be dangerous when disconnecting BE CAREFUL Blow out will do a better job than manual or gravity drains especially older systems that have experienced frost heaving of pipe leaving low areas! To blow out a system a compressor has to be rented or purchased

If renting a compressor reserve early If renting consider sharing with other local clubs A contractor may be hired Contractor blow out costs are high If hiring a contractor warrantees are often available

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Compressor ratings visualize ball of air the diameter of the pipe rolling along pushing air towards an open valve making sure no water gets over or behind the ball
Air front Water

Toro recommends air pressure 40psi or damage to sprinklers may occur.

If compressor is to small the air has a hard time pushing the water and may actually flow over the top of the water.
Water

Air front

Water

Compressor ratings continued:

Key to success is cfm (volume of air) not so much pressure For large systems should have a minimum compress or 600cfm. 25 cfm or larger for small residential 750 cfm for a mainline system with 14 pipe (may use two 900 cfm for a system with 16 mainline pipe

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Compressor ratings continued:

Do not exceed 50psi or damage may result to sprinklers Do not open or drain any pipe before hooking up compressor (it may not work well to reach pressure to push water) Do not open too many valves at one time.

Blowing out the system: 1.Hook up Compressor minimum (on large system 11/2 ) 2.Use a length of galvanized pipe between compressor and pvc as heat can build up.

Blowing out the system continued:

3.Begin blowing out system from farthest and highest point 4.Familiarize yourself with irrigation system Know- flow or laterals to Know where dead-ends are and work towards those areas 5.When air is expelled begin activating valves 6.When head starts blowing air move to next sprinkler

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Blowing out the system continued:

7.Gear driven heads turn much faster with air then water Dont have them operate for prolonged periods on air movement (more than 1 minute)

Blowing out the system continued:

7.Greens and tees (I did last). 8.Switch with assistant and go through everything one more time 9.1 to 2 sprinklers on each (Supt. and Assist.) or loss of head pressure.

Controllers Mouse proof Leave power on to keep transformers (for mechanical clocks) working, this aids in keeping them dry. Solid State (in 1990) Toro recommended they be taken in ????

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Pump / Backflow Winterization:

Improper winterization of can cost big $. Improper winterization of pumps can lead to broken: Casings Main control valves Isolation valves Check valves

If an unexpected freeze in forecast (more than 24 hrs. at 28 or less) (before winterization of pump or backflow) - then consider: Anything to keep the pump area above freezing Heat strips Electric heaters Kerosene heaters Electric light bulbs Crack a valve just a little to keep water flowing For new construction many pump houses are now heated!

Winterizing
Refer to manual Start by closing the inlet isolation valve Manually Drain down valves from drain plugs Drain and pull out suction lines Use a small compressor to blow out areas that water may become trapped. Leaves drain plugs open Make the priming systems of pumps is drained down Common mistake -leaving water in pressure relief valves- drain in turbine pump by removing bonnet valve and draining.

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After winterizing it may be a good time to begin preparing for the next season!!
Clean and sandpaper rust Paint pumps or rusted areas with a good quality rust proof paint Check all fittings (electrical as well) Grease all fittings on pump station Change oil if turbine pumps

Landscape winterization
Be aware shrub risers will be susceptible to earlier freezing May have manual drains Open and drain above ground fittings and hose bibs Open petcocks and drain down back flow devices Be aware that frost free hose bibs may not function properly when vacuum breakers are installed

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Drip emitters Usually self draining Excessive pressures could damage barbed fittings PVC fill lines should be graded with drains in the low lying areas Drain all filtration devices

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