Do not assume that simply turning off the water completely drains the backflow preventer.
A backflow preventer that contains trapped water can be damaged when that water freezes and expands.
What About the Water in the Irrigation Lines?
Turning off the water supply does not remove the water already inside your sprinkler lines.
A complete winterization removes water from the irrigation system and its components. Colorado State University Extension recommends properly blowing out irrigation systems rather than relying only on automatic or manual drain valves.
The procedure also needs to be done carefully. Using too much air pressure or the wrong equipment can damage irrigation components.
Important: Don’t Blow Compressed Air Through Your Backflow Preventer
This is especially important for homeowners who are trying to protect their system before a freeze.
PVB and RP backflow prevention devices should not be blown out with compressed air.
These devices require their own winterization procedure to remove trapped water and protect the internal components.
If you are not sure what type of backflow preventer you have, it is better to have the system properly winterized rather than guessing.
What Should You Do If a Freeze Is Coming?
If freezing temperatures are expected before your irrigation winterization appointment:
- Shut off the irrigation water supply.
- Do not assume the system is completely drained.
- Protect exposed irrigation equipment from freezing temperatures.
- Do not disassemble or blow out a backflow preventer unless you know the correct procedure for that specific device.
- Schedule irrigation winterization as soon as possible.
Backflow prevention devices can be damaged by freezing if they are not properly drained.
Don’t Wait Until Spring
Freeze damage can result in cracked backflow components, broken valves, damaged fittings and other irrigation repairs when the system is started again in the spring.
Proper winterization is much less expensive than discovering freeze damage after winter.
Need Help Before the Freeze?
If you’re not sure where your irrigation shutoff is located, what type of backflow preventer you have, or whether your system has been properly drained, CLC Landscape & Irrigation can help.
We provide irrigation winterization and irrigation services throughout Northern Colorado, including Windsor, Severance, Fort Collins, Loveland, Johnstown and surrounding communities.
Don’t wait until spring to find out that a freeze damaged your irrigation system.
Contact CLC Landscape & Irrigation to schedule your irrigation winterization.