HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SPRINKLER SYSTEM FROM A SUDDEN FREEZE:
- Locate the controller (clock) for your sprinkler system. If your clock has small tubes, rather than wires coming
out of it, you have a hydraulic system and need to call the office at (303) 934-9134. If your clock only
has wires attached to it, proceed:
- Manually or semi-automatically start a zone running (you should be able to see sprinklers running somewhere in your
yard).
- Locate the water supply to your sprinkler system and, while that zone is running, turn the water to the sprinkler system
off.
There are several kinds of water shutoffs for sprinkler systems:
- Stop and waste valve--this valve requires a long key, which is inserted into a tube in the yard and turns
a quarter-turn to shutoff the water to your sprinkler system. This valve drains the system automatically.
- Gate or ball valve - usually located in the basement or crawl space. Close this valve, then find the
drain fitting located on or near the valve and open it. Catch the water released, if necessary, and leave this drain open.
- Manual angle valves - These are usually located in an 8" diameter tube somewhere in the yard. Using
a flashlight, you will see two valves - upper and lower. Using your sprinkler key, close the upper valve tightly by
turning it clockwise until it stops. Now open the lower valve - which is a drain valve - by turning it to the left.
- Vacuum-breakers - There are several types. The primary concern here is whether your vacuum-breaker is
above ground or not.
- If your vacuum-breaker is underground, you are finished preparing for a sudden freeze.
If
your vacuum-breaker is above ground - that brass thing sticking up - it needs to be prepared for a freeze.
If your vacuum-breaker has no valves or test-cocks (tiny valves sticking out at a right angle) on it, then you're ready. If
your vacuum-breaker does have valves on it, they need to be put in a half-open position. Most of these valves will be ball
valves, which are open when the handle is aligned with the body of the valve and closed when the handle is across the body
of the valve. Put these handles at a 45-degree angle to the body of the valve. Test cocks should be put in an
open position using a screwdriver or a pair of pliers. You can look into the test cock to see the valve opening and closing
- leave them open.
- You may now want to put some insulation, such as a towel or blanket over the vacuum-breaker followed by an airtight covering,
such as a trash bag or bucket.
