Sprink

To drain/winterize your sprinkler system, do the following steps. Remember this is to assist, if in doubt seek a professional!

Sprinkler systems in Salt Lake county need to be winterized due to the cold. They work by tapping in to the main water line that comes from the water meter to the interior of the house. This main sprinkler line is diverted from the main line and still has a high amount of pressure. They are always between the meter and where the line enters in the house. This can be either outside or inside, but both before the regulator (see photos). As the main sprinkler line splits/diverts off, it goes to a stop and waste valve outside, or valve if inside (see photos). These valves allow the water to pass on to the individual station values (located in the valve box) that when opened, allow the different stations/areas of the lawn/yard to be watered. If not properly winterized, the water will be high pressure right up to the individual station values and can break lines, damage parts, and flood basements. Having this happen in the middle of winter with all the snow is a pain. To winterize your sprinklers, do the following:

1. Locate your exterior stop and waste valve and turn off clockwise. It will be approximately a 2 inch hole that goes some 5+/- feet down in the ground. You will need a long 5 foot key that can be purchased at any hardware store. At times you can feel the key fit in the slot when put down in the hole. If not use a flash light. If your shut off valve comes in the house it will look like the photo to the right. The valve you shut off will be the one (in most cases) that is the first one after the water line enters the basement. You can also follow this line after to valve in question to see where is goes. You may also find a drain valve to then drain the water in a bucket/bowl.
2. Once the main sprinkler supply line is shut off, locate you individual timers/stations. These are located in the valve boxes in the yard (typically green and no more than 2 or 3). Open the lid of the box, and find the little "bleeder" screw next to the station motor, and open in counter clockwise. Again, this releases any pressure in the line to enable the water to drain. At the end of most sprinklers lines (if done properly), there are automatic drain valves to allow the water to drain and not expand and further crack or break any sprinkler supplies.
3. Go ahead and turn your clock to the "off" position. At this time make sure the internally clock battery is good so that you can keep all of your times programmed in the clock (if you have an electronic timer). Then unplug your clock.
4. It is also good at this time to disconnect all exterior hoses from the valves. This will keep water from freezing in the line. You won't know your line has cracked/broke until spring when the basement floods.

You are done! Hope it helps!