As temperatures drop below freezing temps, water well owners should prepare to winterize their pumps.
The pump in your water well is winterized to keep it from freezing. Water expands as it freezes. As the ice seeks additional space to spread, it breaks the pump’s case, causing damage to the system. The water pump is less likely to freeze if you have a deep well.
Shallow wells, ponds, and fountains, on the other hand, must be safeguarded throughout the winter. You don’t want your surface water pumps to freeze under any circumstances.
Understanding how to winterize a well pump sprinkler system is essential for keeping the pipes and valves safe from the elements. In this article, you’ll learn about the actions you’ll need to take.
When it comes to producing and keeping a lush, green lawn, sprinklers save you time and work. However, this does not negate that the sprinklers themselves require upkeep. In most country regions, your sprinkler system should be turned off in the autumn and turned back on in the spring.
You’ll want to ensure that you’ve correctly prepped the system for winter weather by emptying the water and insulating the sprinkler components, especially if you live in an area where ground temperatures drop below freezing. We’ll show you how to winterize a well pump sprinkler system in four simple steps.
Some of these stages are simple to complete on your own, while others need special equipment and the knowledge of a professional. Redford provides the best Sprinkler Valve cover.
Step 1: Turn off the water supply.
The first step is to turn off the water to the system using the main valve, which is located near your water meter. If your unit has backflow prevention valves, turn them off. If two of these valves lead into the backflow device, make sure they’re both turned off.
Step 2: Remove the timer from the equation.
Make sure you turn off your system’s automatic timer as well. Some timers offer a “rain mode” that allows you to turn off the timer without losing any programmed data or settings. Allowing the system to operate in rain mode throughout winter is typically safe and won’t raise your energy bills. You may disable the spring’s rain option, and the timer should function correctly again.
Step 3: Getting Rid of the Water
It’s not enough to prevent water from entering the system; you must also drain the already water. This is the most time-consuming and challenging stage in the process, but it is critical. Depending on the sprinkler system you have, there are three basic drainage options.
1. Draining by Hand
Some sprinkler systems allow you to drain the water manually. Shut-off valves are installed at low places or the ends of the pipework in these systems. Since the water supply in the unit is under pressure, wear protective eyewear while performing this step.
Keep opening the valves one by one slowly, allowing the water to drain before closing them.
2. Auto Drainage
When the main valve is cut off, and the water pressure lowers, some systems have components that automatically remove the water. The system is normally activated by turning on one of the sprinkler heads while turning off the water supply.
Some water will, however, remain trapped inside the valves themselves. Loosen the solenoid and each valve, a plastic cover with wires coming out of the top. This will allow air and water to flow into and out of the system.
3. Draining With a Blow-Out
You may connect an air compressor to the pipes in specific sprinkler systems to drive the leftover water out from the spray heads. When used on a sprinkler system that isn’t designed for it, this practice is damaging and potentially hazardous. It’s also worth noting that a standard DIYer’s air compressor may be capable of producing the 50 PSI of required pressure to clear PVC plumbing. At-home machines, on the other hand, at-home devices are rarely capable of producing the 10 CFM of the volume necessary to swiftly and totally remove the water.
We don’t advocate performing the blow-out draining procedure on your own for these reasons. Even though you don’t damage the unit, you may not complete the job, and even a small amount of water left in sprinklers throughout the winter might cause issues. Hiring the right for this task is a one-time investment that pays off handsomely.
Step 4: Wrap Above-Ground Components in Insulation
Finally, ensure that all of the sprinkler system’s above-ground components are appropriately weatherproofed. Foam coverings or insulation tape should be put around the main shut-off valve and any uncovered pipes or backflow preventers. Make sure no vents or draining outlets are blocked while installing backflow preventers.
Double Check the User Guide
Make sure you double-check the manufacturer’s user handbook, especially if you’re winterizing your sprinkler system for the first time. The methods to winterize a well pump sprinkler system are typical for most setups, but you should check to determine whether your sprinklers require any special attention.
