Winterizing a sprinkler system

[rnelson0]

All,

I am trying to winter proof my sprinkler system. Yes, it is still July, bear with me!

Where the sprinkler system exits the house, it is a few inches above the soil. The pipes run parallel to the house for a little over 5' before going down and into a box where the electric controls, selenoids, and splits are. Each section is of course underground until you reach the head, with just a small part of one run against the house peeking up in a spot or two. At the bottom of that run is the drain.

In the winter, the previous owner had two screw-on couplers that when disconnect would let him remove a 3' section between the house egress and the junction box. Undoing the drain and leaving it for a few days would allow all the water to evaporate.

Yours truly managed to drain the runs last winter but forgot to remove the section of pipe. When I had that replaced, both screw-on couplers blew out and the whole section was replaced with a single 5' section with no screw-on couplers, so I'm thinking I may be screwed this winter (pardon the pun!).

Here's the possible saving grace. I am extending the garden bed over against the side of the house where the sprinkler system is. I'll be adding some dirt to bring the level up a bit and I can bury the line while I'm there. Before I do that, I need to know - if I bury the line under the ground, will I still have issues with freezing water possibly bursting the pipes? If so, then burying it would be bad and I'll have to replace that section *again*. On the other hand, if burying the line would protect it, then I just need to haul a bit more topsoil in order to bury it, which is easier (I have a shovel, but no experience with PVC connections!).

Any tips would be appreciated.

[JR]

Yes, burying the line would tend to protect it from the effects of frost, but I don't think that's really your problem. Since the system was designed to be drained, you want to make sure the water is out so it doesn't freeze. Otherwise you'd have to have a lot of confidence that your pipes were below the frost line.

That goes to the issue of the disconnect. Is that section of pipe where it leaves the house made of PVC? It would be extremely easy to put a union in that section to facilitate draining.

JR

[Uncle Cracker]

Here is a previous thread that has some info...

[shoottx]

Just sell the house and move next to Uncle Cracker, no winter weather to worry about

[Uncle Cracker]

Just sell the house and move next to Uncle Cracker, no winter weather to worry about

Know what we use around here for frost protection in the winter?? Our sprinkler systems...

[rnelson0]

That goes to the issue of the disconnect. Is that section of pipe where it leaves the house made of PVC? It would be extremely easy to put a union in that section to facilitate draining.

Yes, that section is PVC. I don't have any of the glue solutions for PVC and I didn't really want to buy it, I was hoping someone would provide an alternative, but it looks like I'll need to spend some money.

At least I haven't buried it yet. That would suck.

[JR]

Well, i think you really want to drain this system in the winter, so the coupla bucks for a small can of PVC cement would be a good investment. Besides, how do you repair the system? Please don't tell my your sprinklers don't require constant vigilance, like mine!

JR

[crokett]

You could cut out a section of PVC and then add expansion fittings or rubber Ferncos to connect it back in. These are both more expensive options than the glue is though.

[rnelson0]

Please don't tell my your sprinklers don't require constant vigilance, like mine!

Once I stopped hitting the heads with the mower, they've been maintenance free. Except for when I forgot to drain them and had to get the initial service replaced. I've only been here a year though, I'm sure that will change

[Kristofor]

Besides, how do you repair the system? Please don't tell my your sprinklers don't require constant vigilance, like mine!

JR

3.5 years and counting. Total issues = 1 stuck (closed) valve that was happy once I opened it and "jiggled" it.

You know JR, the sprinklers are supposed to be there to save time spent on lawn upkeep.

[JR]

You know JR, the sprinklers are supposed to be there to save time spent on lawn upkeep.

Oh, very funny - not!

Truth be told, most of the stuff I do with sprinklers is self-induced. Like driving over the sprinklers located next to the driveway, one of my favorite tricks.

And a complete overhaul/replacement of the valve assembly last summer. The older ones were leaking and not easily maintained.

I usually spend the end of each weekend day wandering around with the parts bin looking for trouble. This part involves adding to or maintaining the fairly extensive drip system. It's also a thinly disguised opportunity to run through the sprinklers on a warm day!

JR