How To Winterize your Sprinkler System

STEP #1

Turn off the water to the sprinkler system by finding the underground valve near your back flow preventer. (Mine was right in front of it. It had a circular green cover, picture below). Turn the valve perpendicular to the pipe. You should hear a click once its closed. This will turn off the water to the sprinkler system.

Step #2

Locate the two back flow pressure valves on the back flow preventer ( on the above ground pipe, picture below). Release the pressurized water in the valves using a flathead screw driver . Turn the valves until the screw is parallel to the pipe. Water should shoot out. Keep these open and allow the water to drain. Close these after the freeze is over.

Step #3

To be on the safe side, turn off the irrigation system at the controller during the freeze. The control box should be located in the garage if you have one. It would be a Rainbird or Hunter.

Step #4

After the freeze, turn your controller back on, close the pressurized valves and then turn the underground water valve back on. Thats it! If you can't find the underground shutoff valve, you can follow the second method in the video. The first method is shown in the video too.