How to Drain Your Sprinkler System from Landscape Connection

As winter approaches, you will need to take the proper steps to ensure that no damage occurs to your sprinkler system from freezing pipes. The information in this guide is intended to help you through the correct procedure to drain your sprinkler system. If you have any questions or problems with the procedure please call us.

Colorado weather is highly variable and unpredictable; there is no exact time of when to drain your system. In most cases, end of October and the month of November is when systems should be drained. Freeze damage will generally occur in the vacuum breaker or valves when the outside temperature falls below freezing for more than six (6) hours. Due to location, elevation, depth of valves and rate of temperature change they do not always freeze.

The best prevention of freeze damage is to drain your system before temperatures are to drop below freezing. If you plan to be out of town during the late fall season it is best to drain your system prior to leaving.

Damage to your system can cause major damage to your house, sprinkler system and pocket book.

1. Turn off your water supply to the sprinkler in the basement. Turn all the way clockwise.
2. Open valve in valve box closest to vacuum breaker. Turn counter clockwise all the way.
3. Open both petcocks on the vacuum breaker with a screw driver counter clockwise. These are the two knobs on the vacuum breaker there should be one on the bottom and one on the side (different breakers will have them in different locations). Water should run out of the hole. After the water runs out, lightly insert the petcocks so you do not miss-place them.
4. Drain sprinkler supply line in basement. There are two valves, leave them half open and half shut (45 degrees). There is a small knob on the supply valve, remove quickly with a bucket in hand allow the water to drain completely into the bucket.*
5. Run through the system one time all the way through each zone to ensure the water has drained. Turn off sprinkler clock to prevent the need to reprogram in the spring. Turn the clock dial to OFF.

*If you have a knob on the bottom of your vacuum breaker there is no need to drain the inside one.