Winterizing your sprinkler system in Kansas City is an absolute must. Since our frost line is about 25-30 inches, that means that any water left in your pipes that are buried less than 30 inches can potentially freeze.
By winterizing your sprinkler system you’ll reduce the chances of cracked pipes, broken seals and broken valves. The benefits surely outweigh the costs. This preventative maintenance is the only way to steer clear of expensive repairs to an underground irrigation system. In addition to saving money, you avoid having to undergo a great deal construction.
Here are some basic steps on winterizing your sprinkler system steps:
- Shut off the water supply. Shutoff valves can be found in basement, crawl spaces, or buried in a valve box near your water meter.
- Drain your system. If you have a self draining system, open the drains and cycle through all of your zones on the controller. If you don’t have a self draining system (or are unsure), it’s best to blow your system out with an air compressor. Make sure you do not exceed 80 psi or you can damage equipment.
- Finalize the process. Make sure all the ball valves on your backflow device are left in the 45° position so they don’t split. Any above ground backflows need to be drained back into the house or below ground. Last, unplug your controller if it has an external condenser or turn it to the off position if it’s hard wired.