Winterized Irrigation System

MorpheusPA · by **MorpheusPA** » October 22nd, 2011, 3:28 pm

We have first frost projected for tonight (maybe) and I just blew out my irrigation system today. I won't need it again for the year.

What's everybody else's timing? I noted that I did this in late November last year. This year I was just more on the ball with it...

andy10917 · by **andy10917** » October 22nd, 2011, 3:35 pm

My timing is usually sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving. I haven't used my irrigation system for four weeks, but used it today to hasten the decomposition of the supermulched leaves, as no real rain is forecasted until midweek, and the foliage season is pretty compressed this year here. I will pull the plug on it as soon as any temperatures are forecast that might mean soil freezes of any real duration.

I blow mine out with a beginning air pressure of 100 PSI. I think the water droplets expelled land somewhere in the Pacific. Don't do that if you don't know the system's maximum designed pressure.

EDIT: 20 minutes after I wrote this, I got the call that the 100 PSI tank is available tomorrow. The best laid plans of mice and men...

bernstem · by **bernstem** » October 22nd, 2011, 4:04 pm

First week in November for me.

jglongisland · by **jglongisland** » October 22nd, 2011, 9:42 pm

November 16th this year, I like to keep it on to wet down the leaf mulch. I have my irrigation contractor do it. Used to do it a bit later, but I remember them here one day blowing it out when the temp was about 29. With my hills and steps it was pretty dangerous, ice everywhere (we did make some snow).

Apparently you need temps into the mid-20's for 4-5 hours (if daytime temps are in the 40's) for it to really be an issue (according to my guy who is pretty honest). He said they like to get it all done by 11/20 for safety reasons but on LI he said unless there is an unusual cold snap he can push it to the first week in December.

napper · by **napper** » October 22nd, 2011, 10:48 pm

After I apply Urea in November probably around Thanksgiving. Applied Aerify Plus today and watered it in.

JC Paint Workz · by **JC Paint Workz** » October 24th, 2011, 12:59 pm

I'll roll up the hoses mid Nov this year! Still wishing I had a irrigation though!

MorpheusPA · by **MorpheusPA** » October 24th, 2011, 4:05 pm

Oh the hoses...those stay out all year (I drain the one that's actually outside, ignore the one in the garage where it doesn't go under freezing anyway).

If I need to use those, I will, no matter what the weather.

JC Paint Workz · by **JC Paint Workz** » October 24th, 2011, 4:10 pm

I've got my digital timers mounted on my reels with a whip hose to connect to faucet. Keeps the weight of the timer off the bib So I bring them both in. I shouldn't care about the hoses as they are the lifetime sears hoses.

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Michael Wise · by **Michael Wise** » November 5th, 2011, 2:27 pm

Blowin' mine out today. My Bermuda is heading to bed, so I might as well.

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dhou · by **dhou** » November 7th, 2011, 4:30 am

Sounds like a few of you guys do the winterization "blow out" yourself? I've been thinking about taking this on since I've got a decent sized compressor which I mostly use for woodworking. I've got a Febco PVB backflow device for my sprinkler system and a spigot upstream from it - unfortunately, no hookup downstream or it seems like it would be a no brainer. Should I just attach upstream and blow through the PVB or as some seem to do, attach and blow through the test cocks? Thoughts and suggestions?

eriocaulon · by **eriocaulon** » November 7th, 2011, 8:11 am

A spigot before the backflow device would work well. You want to clear out water from any pipe that will see freezing. My spigot is in my basement which is kind of a pain but at least I know all the pipe on the outside will be cleared out.

andy10917 · by **andy10917** » November 7th, 2011, 4:50 pm

I decided to turn my irrigation system back on this weekend to water in a late-season treatment. After I was done, I had one of my sons that generally doesn't help me blow-out the system helping me. Instead of slowly bringing the air pressure up to 100 PSI (needed for the hillside), he slammed it from 0 PSI to 100 PSI all at once. I watched a Hunter PGP unit get blown right out of the hole/canister, since the shock didn't give the spring time to react. BOOM !!!

MorpheusPA · by **MorpheusPA** » November 7th, 2011, 4:54 pm

I believe that method was tried for launching space ships. Did you achieve the first Hunter in orbit?

andy10917 · by **andy10917** » November 7th, 2011, 5:02 pm

No. The best I could achieve was the Mrs. walking away, shaking her head and muttering "Pollocks!!!".

Michael Wise · by **Michael Wise** » November 7th, 2011, 5:14 pm

I remove my RPZ and connect to the stub that is still connected to the irrigation.

The other side I use a wet/dry vac to remove the remaining water in that side. It is only about 70' worth of pipe.

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dhou · by **dhou** » November 7th, 2011, 7:55 pm

I'd love to remove my PVB and do the blowout downstream to avoid any possible damage to it - not to mention some seem to say that its worthwhile to remove and store it inside over the winter to prevent damage and extend its life. Unfortunately, I'm completely unfamiliar with piping etc. and wouldn't even know where/how to start!

Beyond slowly going from 0 to whatever peak PSI you are aiming for (yikes Andy!) is there any concern for damaging the PVB if blowing out upstream through it?

JC Paint Workz · by **JC Paint Workz** » November 11th, 2011, 6:51 pm

Just winterized mine today. It's getting pretty cold and even snow last night.

Here she is

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MorpheusPA · by **MorpheusPA** » November 11th, 2011, 9:58 pm

Easy winterization is an advantage of hose-run systems, yes. :-)

JC Paint Workz · by **JC Paint Workz** » November 11th, 2011, 11:42 pm

I still wish someday I'll have the real deal though!!

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gruckiii · by **gruckiii** » November 14th, 2011, 11:54 am

Cutting it close here. Having it done today.

Winterized Irrigation System

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