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www.pioneermidwest.com
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Below are Do-It-Yourself instructions to winterize your lawn sprinkler system.
If you live in the Twin Cities Metro area and would like to have one of our service technicians winterize your system, please call our call our store at (763) 420-8981 to schedule an appointment.
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Step 1: INSIDE - Close the sprinkler system shut-off valve to turn off water to the lawn sprinkler system. Make sure this valve is completely closed. An easy way to make sure this valve is closed is to make sure you have some sprinklers running as you close the valve (you will then be able to hear the water stop as you close the valve). See Figure 1.
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Step 2: OUTSIDE - Open the outside drain plug. Caution! If you did not have sprinklers running when you executed Step 1, your main line is still under pressure. This may cause your drain plug to "shoot off" when you loosen it and spray water all over you. See Figure 1.
If you have a self drain system you can skip to Step 4.
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Step 3: OUTSIDE - Hook up the air compressor to the drain plug fitting.
Note: If your you do not have a "Drain Plug" but you do have the "Optional Drain Valve" (see Figure 1) you will need to turn the valves on your PVB to the closed position as shown in Figure 2.
The minimum size compressor you will need is a 5HP with a 30 Gallon tank.
Turn on the compressor and let the tank fill to 70psi. (DO NOT EXCEED 75psi!)
Using your sprinkler system timer turn on zone #1. Open the valve on your air compressor to begin injecting air into your sprinkler system.
When the pressure gauge on you compressor drops below 40 psi close the valve on the compressor, advance your sprinkler timer to the next zone, and re-open the compressor valve when it reaches 70 psi.
A zone is 1/2 done once all the sprinkler heads on a zone start "fogging".
You will need to cycle through your entire system several times (3-4).
If you have a compressor that barely meets the minimum requirements you will need to cycle through your entire system even more (6-8 times).
Disconnect your air compressor.
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Step 4: OUTSIDE - Turn both handles on your PVB or RPZ (Backflow Prevention Device) so that they are in the 1/2 open 1/2 closed position. This helps protect the valve during the winter. See Figure 2.
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Step 5: OUTSIDE - You should open the test ports 1/2 way on your PVB or RPZ for extra insurance of water removal.
Do not replace the external drain plug. This provides protection against a leaky shut-off valve or someone accidentally turning on the shut-off valve. You can duct tape the drain plug to the pipe so you will know where the plug is in the spring.
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Step 6: INSIDE - Remove the drain plug inside (usually adjacent or built into the shut-off valve).
When you open this plug water will drain out.
This is the water left in the pipe between the outside drain fitting and the inside shut-off valve.
Again, we recommend leaving this drain open all winter for added protection against a leaky shut-off valve.
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© Pioneer Midwest Inc.
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