How to Turn Off a Sprinkler System for Repairs or Winterization
Don’t get swamped with a sprinkler system leak
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- Safety goggles
- Work gloves
- Flathead screwdriver (Optional)
Whether you’re prepping for winter’s deep freezes or have a leak, knowing how to turn off a sprinkler system is essential. In the middle of summer, there’s nothing better than having an automatic sprinkler system take care of your watering duties. But sprinklers need maintenance and, occasionally, repair. Let’s review how to turn off your sprinkler system before the sprinkler professional arrives.
Prepping to Turn Off Sprinkler System
It’s vital to know how to turn off sprinklers correctly to prevent damage and water waste in an emergency or to prepare it to winterize the system. Remember to always proceed with caution and wear protective gear such as gloves and eyewear to prevent personal injuries. When in doubt, call an irrigation professional to assist in the task.
Turn Off the System at the Control Panel
Most outdoor sprinkler systems have an indoor control panel, usually in the garage or an exterior wall. Turn the setting to the “off” position. If your control panel is digital, it likely has a button to turn on “rain mode,” which is a simple way to turn your system off, but save the settings.
For long-term shut-off, you can simply power down the entire system. Each sprinkler system manufacturer has a different shutdown procedure. Check your manual or the manufacturer's website for step-by-step instructions so you know how to turn off the sprinkler system at the control box correctly.
Locate and Close the Shut-Off Valve
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Photo: Steven White / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesThe next step is to locate your shut-off valve so you can turn it off. The valve is usually a ball valve with a lever handle. It can be located above or below ground. If it is above ground, it is located near the water source, which is near the house or garage. Check around the home behind bushes or any plants that may be covering it. However, in some cases, it can also be in the basement, garage, or utility closet.
Typically, shut-off valves are buried in the ground. So, you will need to locate the valve box to find the valve itself. The box can be oval or rectangle-shaped and may have a lid that is visible above ground. However, some boxes may be buried beneath the ground, and they are usually located near a well or water meter. If that’s the case, you should contact a professional to avoid digging and risking hitting pipes or utility lines.
If you dig to find it, always call 811 beforehand to ensure no utility lines are near the site. This step can prevent personal injury and property damage. It’s also the law, so you will avoid hefty fines too.
To close the valve, carefully turn the handle perpendicular to the waterline it’s attached to.
Drain Water From the System
The process to drain the remaining water from the sprinklers depends on the type of system. Some systems may have an automatic draining function, which simplifies the process. To ensure you do it correctly, you should always refer to the manufacturer’s user manual before attempting to drain the system.
If you have a system that needs to be manually drained, you should contact a sprinkler repair pro to do it for you. If you are a handy DIYer, you may be able to tackle the task, but keep in mind that if not properly drained, you can cause damage or leave remaining water in the system that could freeze and crack the tubing.
The drain valves are located downstream from each zone of your system. You will need to slowly open the valves one at a time to drain water remaining in the system. If your sprinkler system has a backflow preventer, you will need to open the test cocks to drain any remaining water. You will need a flathead screwdriver to carefully turn the test cocks to allow the water to drain out.
Drain Sprinkler Heads
The final step of this process is to drain the remaining water from the sprinkler heads. If your sprinklers have check valves, then you can lift the sprinkler heads to drain the remaining water. Once the system is drained, you can close the test cocks and valves.
Taking Care of Your Sprinkler System
If you’re learning how to turn off a sprinkler system, chances are good that it’s for repairs or winterization. Great work! Keeping up with repairs and protecting your system during the winter are great ways to ensure the longevity of your sprinklers. Here are more tips for taking care of a sprinkler system and decreasing the amount of repairs you need.
Clean your sprinkler heads regularly, around once per month.
Call a pro at least one a year for a professional inspection.
Do a walk-around of your system every so often to check for leaks or other obvious issues.
Never dig in your yard before marking off where your irrigation lines are; you could hit and rupture them.
Don’t ignore strange symptoms with your system. If you notice your sprinklers have too much or too little water pressure, pooling water where there wasn’t any before, or visible damage, call in a pro as soon as you can for a repair.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Shutting down your sprinkler system manually is a reasonably simple task as long as the components of your system are in working condition. It shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes alone. However, draining the system and winterizing it can be complex, so it’s best to hire a local sprinkler company to assist you.
The cost to winterize a sprinkler system depends on many factors, such as the size of the system and your location, but typically ranges between $50 and $140. Paying a pro is worth the investment because they have the tools and expertise to do the job right and save your system from potential damage. While there are ways to winterize your sprinkler system without a blowout, it may be the best way to prepare it for frigid temperatures to ensure all the remaining water is out of the system.
You may need to shut off your system for repairs. You’ll also need to shut your sprinkler system off for the winter to winterize it, which prevents damage when freezing temps roll in. If you don’t shut off your system, the water inside will freeze and expand in the pipes.
This expansion will quickly damage your pipes, potentially even leading to a pipe burst, massive leaking and flooding, and damage to your yard and home’s foundation. Turning off your system allows you to properly drain it of water and avoid some costly issues.
To manually turn off your sprinkler system, locate the control panel and turn it off. Then, find your sprinkler system’s water shut-off valve. This is usually in a garage or basement. Turn the handle perpendicular to the water line. This will shut off all water access to your sprinkler system.
Your sprinkler system water shut-off valve may be in one of several locations. Check your basement or your garage, specifically the exterior walls of those areas. You may also want to look in closets or utility rooms if you can’t find it in the basement or garage (or if you don’t have those). The valve is usually a ball valve, which has a long handle.
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