Winterize Sprinklers With Air Compressor | EASY Step by Step for Beginners! 

Ya, you could do that too! We just happened to have a long air compressor hose and didn't have a long extension cord handy!

extension cords, at least right now, are more expensive then air hoses. so use what you got and what youre willing to spend.

Most air compressors, if you read the manual, recommend that you get a longer hose rather than run an extension cord. If the extension cord is not highly rated it could damage the motor. Having said that, I've run extension cords and air compressors. Lol

How did it work out?

I haven’t done it yet.

Glad this video was helpful!

@@watchmebarf how much would they charge for 12 stations ?

Did the air compressor drop pressure quickly in 1 min. And did you have to turn on/off the regulator valve to build the pressure each time through out the process? I have craftman 150 psi 6 gallon as well

Glad it was helpful!

I was waiting for them to turn the valve off inside the house but maybe they forgot to show that. Def a crucial step

Glad you found it helpful!

Or just use a large tank compressor or a large tank to hold the air as a reservoir. Doesn't have to be expensive at all.

@@adamr8628 my zone is super large, so I dunno if I can DIY it. The same zone does both the front and back yard.

Not a misconception, just science :) Air heats up as it gets compressed (or pressurized), so the air coming out of your air compressor can be hot...When applied into the sprinkler system without water, it can cause the plastic sprinkler heads to melt. Although it is unlikely to happen, don't let your air compressor to continue to push air through the system once the water is gone.

@@MakingManzanitaCompressing the air will make it hot yes, but releasing it makes it cold!?

@@lavilev9961 plus this is far more likely to kill the air compressor from overheating than damage the sprinkler heads. That air compressor is way to small for this sort of job.

Over simplfied: the sprinkler heads are driven by a hydraulic gear. Running air through them changes it to a pneumatic system. Typically, the air flow will be (much) faster than the water flow, which is how the little plastic gears in the head "burn out." So you can't just hook up a compressor, let the system cycle normally, and go watch the football game. You can't / shouldn't trade less CFM for more time, unfortunately. But I'd be more concerned about burning out the motor on the compressor. Those little pancake compressors are designed for a low duty cycle - charging the tank in short infrequent bursts. Not for continuous use. The explanation that the compressed air will stay hot when released isn't how I'd describe what's going on. Expansion is a cooling process. But I agree that leaving the air flow on too long can do harm, as they warned.

@@user-my5ey6ow7m So you will kill an air compressor by simply running it for an hour? 🤣

Here's the entire process in bullet point format: - Shut off water to sprinkler system - Manually drain the excess water from the sprinkler’s water supply line - Connect adapter to water line opening & water supply line - Connect air hose from compressor to other end of adapter - Turn on compressor and adjust settings - Allow compressor to come to full pressure (once the noise stops) - Turn on sprinkler system from control box manually, 1-2 min or until there is no more water coming out of sprinkler heads. Alternate between zones so it allows a few minutes of cool down for the spinkler lines to avoid melting. When the water has stopped coming through, turn off the system immediately. Do not continue to blow out the system with air as you will melt the sprinkler heads and interior pieces. - After each zone has been emptied of water completely, head back to the sprinkler control valve box where the air compressor is plugged in and remove compressor line from the adapter. - Allow excess air to flow from the pipe. This will make a loud hissing noise as the air comes out. - Remove adapter and place cap back on water pipe. - Be sure to leave the water off for the remainder of the winter.

Could maybe at a cheap regulator from harbor freight if you are worried about your sprinkler line? Our is 1" schedule 40 pvc which is rated to 450 psi so I usually don't worry about letting it rip. Pancake only hits 120 psi.

There is a link in the video description

Yes, they usually have drain screws on them.

thanks for the tip, haven't blown a head yet but I'll try this in the fall this year.

Welcome 👍

Yes, its full of insulation.

The big brass piece with multiple valves is the backflow

Usually a big brass piece like @benbigh said, always at the start of your sprinkler system and they have a vale before and after the big brass with bleeder valves.

Before lows hit freezing. Blew mine out today, as night temps are dipping into the 20s this weekend in my area. Please watch several videos if it's your first time.

We got it at Home Depot. There's a link in the video description.

Here's the link to purchase on The Home Depot. rstyle.me/+-r2v6rEpEe9MZPvVApH1jA It is called a "sprinkler system winterization kit" or "quick connect blowout adapter".

Your adaptor may vary based off the type of connection on your air hose and what is needed for your system. I would not blindly order the same one as the content creator.

Links to sources are typically in the "Description" in RU-vid. Here it is: rstyle.me/+swy2TAr3fMEcm-FQa1qMXA Thanks for watching.

Thanks for the reply

Should work fine, just need to run each zone individually...so it may take you a while! Why each zone? A 4-6 gallon air compressor doesn’t have enough power to blow the entire sprinkler system at one time.

Doubtful

We have 5/8" and its worked for the last 10 years.

Haha! It does take me about an hour but sometimes we just got to use what we have. One day I'll get a proper sized compressor.

“Cool down”. As if you are pumping molten lava into the system and not ambient temperature air. Absurd.

@@benbigh Do a little research before commenting, because he is absolutely correct and you are wrong!

@@rickreallylikedthevideobut7899 I have done my research by winterizing hundreds of systems over the last 20 years.