Exterior
Winterize the irrigation system
Freeze protection requires more than clearing the yard zones. Water trapped between the indoor irrigation shutoff and the backflow preventer is a commonly missed failure point.
Recommended timingBefore freezing weather
What to do
- Shut off the irrigation water supply at the dedicated main valve and place the controller in its off, rain or winter mode as the manual directs.
- Drain the section from the irrigation shutoff to the backflow device using the installed boiler drain or stop-and-waste drain; open the backflow test cocks only as the manufacturer directs.
- Drain manual systems only when they were designed with drains at the proper low points. Residual water can remain in an incorrectly drained system.
- Have a qualified irrigation professional perform compressed-air blowout. Never blow compressed air through a backflow preventer or stand over irrigation components.
- Protect exposed valves and piping without blocking required backflow vents or drain openings.
Compressed-air winterization can cause serious injury and equipment damage. This guide intentionally leaves the blowout procedure to a qualified irrigation professional.
Official guidance and sources
Product instructions and local requirements take priority for the equipment or material installed at your home.