Maintaining Your Landscape


 

Winterizing the system:

As the weather turns cold you will need to protect the system from freezing. This is done by:

1. Shutting off the water source

and

2. Draining the water from the pipes, valves, and backflow prevention device

We make this process simple for you, by installing gravity fed valves that will drain all of the necessary components. You will need to locate and become familiar with the following components of your system in order to properly winterize it:

A.  The Timer
B.  The Main Shut-Off (Usually at the street or in the basement)
C.  The Valve Manifold (The grey or green plastic valves with all the wires coming from them)
D.  The Backflow Prevention Device (This is the big brass apparatus)
E.  And if applicable: Mainline Drain Valves

Step One:  The Timer

Simply turn it to the "Off or Rain Position"  and forget about it.

Step Two: The Main Shut Off

This is the valve that normally requires the T-handled water key to open and close it. This needs to be turned 90 degrees clockwise to close it or until it stops.

Step Three: The Valve Manifold

Inside your valve manifold box you will find a "hose-bib" or similar valve that needs to be opened (counterclockwise) to allow water to escape and air to enter the system. Leave it open and replace lid on valve box.

Step Four: Backflow Prevention Device

This is a very important step. It is probably the most expensive component to replace in your system, and it can freeze and break. There are a series of valves on this unit. It is important to leave the two large handles at the inlet and outlet side of the unit open (These are for repair purposes only) The only valves you will be opening and closing are the "petcocks" on the side or bottom of the unit. These require the use of a flathead screwdriver to turn them. For the winter they need to be open. They can turn counter or clockwise to reach this position. You know you have it right if the slot for the screwdriver is in line with the outlet. Make sure you open all of them (There should be at least 3 and up to 6 depending on the model)

Step Five: Mainline Drain Valves

If there is a considerable distance between the Main Shut-Off and your Valve Manifold then you may have an additional drain between the two. This is usually located in a small round valve box. It will be similar to the valve in the Valve Manifold box. The procedure is the same as above, open it by turning it counterclockwise and leave it open.

Starting The System In Spring:

The procedure for "firing up" the system is essentially the reverse of the above. You know you have it right if water isn't gushing out of any of the valves!

It is always a good idea to replace your battery at the start of each season to maintain your timer's memory in the event of a power outage.