How important is irrigation winterizing?
Winterizing your irrigation system is a safe guard in your investment against the cold snaps that have been known to blow by the southern BC coast. Will YOUR system freeze? Hard to say. If it stays cold long enough then the chances are you’ll have damage. The extent of damage will vary based on extent of cold exposure, pipe depth and amount of exposed components.
If your system was installed correctly by a reputable company with good installation standards then pipe depth should be good and all heads attached at bottom inlets instead of side inlets.
Winterizing a system is by no means a complicated procedure, just one that needs to be done properly. The correct pressure along with good volume is required to successfully clear all lines and components free of water. If done incorrectly a system can be damaged quite easily. Care needs to be taken so that fittings and components are not over stressed by excessive pressure and get blown apart.
Backflow preventers: These devices serve an important role to protect potable water from being contaminated with irrigation water. These should never have air blown through them as it can not only damage internal components but also will dry out the rubber discs and o- rings. If your backflow was Installed correctly below frost level then there is no reason why it cannot remain filled with water through out the entire year it is in use. It is good and common practice to have a blow key/ hose bibb after the backflow for winterizing purposes.
