How Do You Winterize A Lawn Sprinkler?
Your lawn sprinkler system must be winterized to prevent damage from cold temperatures whether you live in a temperate climate or a colder climate. The valves, sprinkler heads, pipes and backflow preventer can all freeze and crack, rendering your lawn sprinkler system useless come spring. Follow some tips to safely winterize your lawn sprinkler system and prepare it for start up in the spring. Shut off the lawn sprinkler system water supply at the shut off valve. Set the controller to “Rain” mode, or disconnect the power to the system controller if the controller is connected to a pump to prevent accidental start up of the pump and subsequent damage. Remove the backflow preventer and drain out the water. Pump out the water from the risers with the shop vacuum and cap the risers. Drain any above ground valves, remove them and store them for the winter or place insulation blankets over them. Open the drain valves upstream of the valves, and let that section of the irrigation system drain
