How To Blow Out (Winterize) Your Inground Sprinkler System (2023)
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- Originally recorded October 19, 2023.
You don't need to call a professional to winterize or blow out your inground sprinklers. Just follow along with this video.
You will need:
1. An air compressor. The larger the tank capacity, the better. I have 22 gallons of air at my disposal, you may get by with a smaller one if you have a smaller property and less zones, or if you have larger property and more zones, you'll need a larger one.
2. A way to introduce air into the system. If you have a regular hose spigot on the pipe that feeds the inground sprinklers, and a shutoff valve before it, you're all set. I used an old washing machine fill hose with one end cut off. In the other end I coupled two male industrial air fittings together. The diameter of that was just right to fit in the hose, held in place with a hose clamp. You can see how to make this device here: • Make A Sprinkler Syste...
These devices are also available for sale ready-made.
You may wish to test the system first to ensure all heads are operating properly. Taking the time to do this now pays off later. If you've verified that all heads are working fine now, and properly blow out the system, if there is any problem next spring, you can be assured that the lines in the ground aren't cracked or broken, and you'd just have to adjust or replace the offending head.
Then just follow these steps:
1. Turn off the water supply to the sprinkler system.
2. Open the outdoor spigot, and open the draincock and allow the water to drain into a bucket. Close the draincock.
3. Turn on the first zone to a manual cycle at the sprinkler timer. Connect the hose to the spigot, and blast the zone out. Once no more water comes out of the heads, I recommend you disconnect the air, allow your compressor to refill the tank, and then blast the zone again.
4. Repeat step 3 for all other zones.
5. Turn the control on your sprinkler timer to off.
While you have your air hose out, it's a good idea to blow out your garden hose as well. You have everything you need right there, take a minute or two and do it. If you do need water outside over the colder months, as much as I am not a proponent of as-seen-on-TV gadgets, one of those "Pocket Hoses" they used to sell would actually be an excellent choice. Many people have had them and many people have had them burst and fail. But, if used occasionally, for very light-duty work, and drained and put away out of the elements immediately after use, they can last for years.
Do you have a pressure washer that you used this year? Often times, the pumps in them can fail if water is left in them over the winter. Take a minute and blow that out too.
You will be rewarded with a job well done, and a job done right, since you did it yourself. Not to mention, quite a few extra bucks in your pocket!
Dang, already time for this. Nice job as usual.
Yes! Sand gives me trouble around here, as well.
Just had a big Octember fail with my system, but it's all good now.
Thank you! Look forward to seeing what went wrong with yours.
Hi Jay! I have 9 sprinkler zones with 4-7 heads on each zones. What kind of compressor would you advise that I use? Thank you!
I use 22 gallons for my 7 zone system with 4-7 heads per zone. Anything from 20-30 gallons would be fine. Never buy a compressor based on price, buy based on if it has the proper capabilities for the job at hand, then based on price.
Jaykay18: Thank you very much!
@@StanleyWojcik-kc8dw You're welcome.
That humongous compressor ain't cheap. Not many people are likely to have one.
As stated in the video, I have seen this done with a 6 gallon compressor. In fact, I have used a 6 gallon compressor to do this job at another location.
A larger compressor, about 20 gallons, can cost less than $400. At 200 bucks a season, after 2 seasons it has paid for itself, with a little pocket change left over. Not to mention, you now also have a much more capable compressor that can be used to fill tires, run air tools, etc. So it's an investment, but a good investment. As time goes on, that same compressor will cost more, and the cost to have the system blown out will also cost even more.
I have a 12 gallon compressor. Wasn't a lot of money, it's sufficient for my system, and doesn't take up a lot of room. Already paid for itself, many times over, in money saved by not having to call a sprinkler company. Really an essential tool for a diy homeowner.
@@dynatrak What a feller might consider is an "air carry tank", it's just a tank that you can pressurize with air from any air compressor. You can plumb that in with your existing compressor and increase the capacity. Of course that also means longer run time of the compressor itself, but you are getting additional capacity. And, those air tanks can be had for not much money. That's exactly what I have on mine. 15 gallon compressor, 7 gallon auxiliary tank. If you have the room for the tank, it's worth the investment for those larger jobs.
@@jaykay18 I just happen to have one of those, gotten cheap as free, from my late grandfather's hoard! It lives in the back of my 2004 Silverado. Should I need extra chooch, I can easily make that happen!
Well there are all kinds of jokes to be made regarding male adapters etc. but being a respectable person I won't stoop that low. You can simply insert the appropriate off color joke where it would naturally fit even if the fit isn't exactly natural if you get my drift.
Har har!
Or you can do what I did and not watch your sprinkler videos. Forget all about the sprinklers and wait for the busted pipe. Luckily, mine was the main supply pipe near water shut off, so thereno need to dig up anything.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
@@jaykay18 right ain't that the truth.
@jaykay18 so the other day I was at Office Depot, and I saw a back light wirless mechanic keyboard from Logitech on display. 160 buck it is I tested it and well needless to say I bought ot and changed my office pcs keyboard out. I just liked the feel of it. I moved my old ps2 Microsoft internet keyboard over to my bookkeeping PC. The keyboard has a rechargeable battery.
I like that it's wireless being an office. I have enough wires. I also like the back light. The keys stand out when looking for them.
I'm actually considering changing out all the keyboard in the office and finding matching mouse for the ones that don't come with a mouse.
I already found a lower cost keyboard that the front desk lady would love. lol comes with a mouse.
Sales deskt they wouldn't care what I put there as long as it works.
The presentation computers I might upgrade I have the best looking equipment there as customers do see it. I also made sure the equipment is fast and works well.
Even though they aren't used as much inwant a good impression from my customers.
@@SuperJeremi10 Mechanical keyboards feel way better than traditional rubber-dome jobbies. 160 bucks is steep for that keyboard. There are less expensive mechanical ones out there that likely feel even better than that one.
Lighted keys are nice, but it's something I don't need since I generally don't look at the keyboard while typing. If you don't need lighted keys, a Unicomp Model M would have been a better choice, for considerably less.
@jaykay18 that one might would work well for my bookkeeping PC in my office or on my home PC, where it's just me or employees that see it.
The other machines I want nicer looking updated equipment and wireless showing as little clutter possible.
I like to have a nice showroom when customers walk in. Some of the computers are on nice custom-built quartz desks that double as workspace and also display the something I want something the looms stylish and clean on the surfaces this is also one of the reasons I got thr all in one stands for the computers. The computers on the presentation desk live off to the side of the desk so the desk can easily have 4 people looking at a nice 27-inch monitor wireless keyboard. There are a must.
The employees' desks aren't as strict but still stricter than my office or workroom where clients are prohibited from going only employees allowed.
The front desk computer is at the front and it also has a quartz table so neatness there is key but it is however still a work space so the restrictions there are not as stick as long as clutter is limited it's neat clean and organized. She is allowed to pick the equipment she likes and help her to do her job. The computer is provided obviously and needs equipment accessories like mice and keyboards she can bring anyone she likes. We even have an offer to buy some equipment within reason with an understanding that it's our equipment, so if she leaves, it stays here.
The sales area is now moor of an office type area in the work room area. we closed off part of the showroom, making the workroom larger. The sales desk clients still have access to with permission it's blocked by a door and sales desknis just a glass desk now. Clients rarely gontonthe sales desk. we usually show them the products, go back, price, and bring the quote to them so restrictions on equipment there are now minimal and a keyboard like the unicomp would work there as well but it wouldn't work at the front desk or the presentation areas.