Historically, the first snow in Colorado Springs has fallen at the end of October, spelling cold doom for trick or treaters. However, in recent years, the first snowstorm has occurred in the first or second week of the hallow month, causing homeowners to rethink their irrigation strategy. Depending on the type of sprinkler system installed, Colorado residents need to prioritize either a sprinkler blowout or manually drain their sprinkler system with the help of automatic drains. But how do you know which winterization method is more appropriate? Read on to learn the nuts and bolts from the irrigation experts in Colorado Springs, CO at Peloquin Sprinklers and Landscaping.
Sprinkler Blowout
Perhaps the most common method to drain a sprinkler system of any lingering water is a blowout by a professional. While a homeowner can perform the draining steps on their own, unless they own a specific type of air compressor, it’s probably worth hiring an irrigation company to perform the service. Either way, it’s essential to understand the method behind the madness.
The sprinkler blowout process first involves shutting off the outside water by finding the master valve. Very often, this is located in the basement, utility closet, or laundry room. Next, the system requires a manual drain followed by attaching an air compressor to the backflow device via a hose bib or coupler. From here, each sprinkler zone should be activated individually while the air compressor blows air into the system. Once the water stops running from the heads (after about 2 minutes), it’s time to move to the next station.
Automatic Drains
Incorporating automatic drains into sprinkler system installations is Peloquin Sprinklers’ preferred method. If you’re in a position to install a new sprinkler system for your home and want to avoid the hassle of sprinkler blowouts each Fall, automatic drains are definitely worth the consideration.
For automatic drains to be effective, a sprinkler professional must install the drains at the lowest point of each zone. This allows the water to drain out of the system after each use slowly. Then, come Fall, homeowners can manually drain their sprinkler systems following the detailed instructions left by the sprinkler company and feel confident that they’ve correctly winterized their sprinkler system.
Conclusion
Unless you’re renovating your home landscaping or moving into a newly built home that doesn’t have strict HOA requirements, you’ll likely need to utilize the sprinkler blowout system. However, if you do have flexibility with your irrigation design, and live in a colder region like Colorado Springs, hiring a sprinkler professional who’s equipped to install a sprinkler system with automatic drains is worthwhile financially in the long haul.
