Winter is Coming: Is Your Irrigation System Ready?

While Game of Thrones may now be over, still, winter is coming.

Is your irrigation, or lawn sprinkler, system winterized? For those in northern climates, summer days are drawing to an end and freezing temperatures will soon descend upon us. It is important to blow out sprinkler systems using an air compressor – the most simple and effective method.  Winterizing, or blowing out, irrigation systems requires the use of a commercial air compressor to remove water from the system by blowing out air through the piping. When temperatures drop below freezing, any remaining water in the sprinkler system irrigation pipes can freeze into ice, expand, and cause the pipes to burst. A properly executed shutdown protects the system’s components and minimizes the risk of weather-induced damage over the winter.

Engage a professional irrigation team to get your system ready for the cold winter months, where the general steps will entail:

1. Shutting off the water supply to your irrigation system using the master shut off valve
2. Draining water from the system through the use of an air compressor. Water should be removed from the pipes and sprinklers so it won’t freeze/expand and break the pipes. It is important to use the right equipment at the right pressure. Too much pressure and your system can be damaged.

For most general contractors, the Sullair 185 cfm portable diesel air compressor is an effective solution for general residential or small commercial applications. When blowing out golf courses or large commercial properties, some contractors use compressors as large as 900 or 1600 cfm.

While blowout in some regions begins as early as August, irrigation and blow out season can continue through early December, since ground temperatures cool slower than air temperatures. Sullair portable compressors offer the reliability and durability to last through the long blow out season, as well as improved efficiency for up to 10 hours of use without refueling.

Please be sure to follow appropriate air pressure and air flow rate to avoid over-pressurizing the irrigation system. This will also help you appropriately size the right air compressor for the job.