DIY Winterize a Sprinkler System with a Small Pan Air Compressor 6 Gallon. Blowout Irrigation

[@kayhanyegenoglu]

Nicely done.

[@onesimpledad]

Thanks

[@joeyork9891]

Thank you. Very clear information

[@onesimpledad]

You're welcome, and thanks for watching

[@jeffsstuff6575]

Excellent video!

[@onesimpledad]

Thank you, and thanks for watching

[@BrianOMalley-xc1rq]

I'd recommend against DW-40. You can see already that your backflow is extremely rusted. WD-40 promotes more rust as time goes by because it is a binding agent. Use basic machine oil or lube if you want to keep your metal safe. WD-40 is best for items that may be destroyed as they are released from rust stiffness.

[@harrisonfu2277]

amazing video!!! I plan on getting a RIDGID 6 gal compressor. What hoses would I need to buy? Thank you.

[@onesimpledad]

If you click the description. I have a list of parts but also here are a few good hoses amzn.to/45B3aPA amzn.to/3Q4wZlI Thanks for watching

[@harrisonfu2277]

Appreciate for sharing the experience!

[@chipandputt]

the only thing I would do differently is to leave the test-cock valves at 1/2 open as well (2 small drain valves on the backflow preventer) leaving them fully open can seal water in the sealing area and can damage them upon freezing.

[@onesimpledad]

Thanks for the tip. Will do that for now on. Well, thanks for watching

[@brusind]

Nice video. Instead of disconnecting your hose each time, why don't you just close your valve?

[@onesimpledad]

So, I've thought about adding a ball valve to the end of the air hose and doing it that way. But what I have heard just using the valves in the sprinkler system is not a good I idea to use. They're designed to hold back water pressure and aren't designed to hold back air pressure. That's why I always make sure the valves are open before attaching the air hose.

[@WalknTasteEarth]

Great video. I have the same 6 gal pancake compressor with 7 zones . Do I need to power off the compressor before connecting the bleeding pipe to sprinkler system . Or compressor can remain on . I tried switching off the compressor after reaching 150 psi on tank and outlet I set for 40 psi. 4th zone onwards I am hearing a nuzzling sound at sprinkler connection place of air inlet of compressor and not Turing the spring head on. My zone is showing 3 minutes runtime i selected.

[@onesimpledad]

I leave my air compressor on so it can fill the tank when the air is released into the sprinkler system. I close off the back flow (pressure vacuum breaker) I make sure the sprinkler system is running and then connect the air compressor hose but I use 80 to 90 PSI you might be having trouble only using 40 PSI

[@parkerlyons8657]

Are you shutting off the main water line and the irrigation line?

[@onesimpledad]

I only shut off the irrigation line connected to the sprinkler system and then leave it off all winter. Well thanks for watching

[@-Vee_]

Is it ok if compresor kicks back ON to fill the tank while you are winterizing?

[@BrianOMalley-xc1rq]

Yes, run it as much as needed until the all sprinkler heads start misting water.

[@Ravi2412]

Is it safe to for first time diy’ers?

[@onesimpledad]

It's pretty easy to do.. im sure a first time DIYer can handle it... thanks for watching

[@zhenghan8428]

I had to connect my air compressor from the vacc breaker valve as my waterline was stupidly designed without any port. However, when my air compressor is on the pressure backflow preventer keeps generating loud noise and the sprinkler head never came out. Tried psi from 40 to 80 but none worked...

[@onesimpledad]

Never good to blow out through a vac breaker valve ... it would be best to add a blow out after the sprinkler vac breaker. Here's a video that might be helpful kzbin.info/www/bejne/hne1n3Rui7mdo6c

[@jeffsstuff6575]

Update: I bought a Rigid 6 gallon pancake compressor and could not get it to work on my system. Just didn’t seem to have the capacity to blow it out. 😢

[@onesimpledad]

Each system will be different. Did you turn the pressure up to 90 PSI? Also did you attach your hose after the back flow preventer?

[@jeffsstuff6575]

@@onesimpledad yes to both.

[@onesimpledad]

@jeffsstuff6575 Wow, I'm surprised since the water pressure going through the sprinkler system is usually only around 70 PSI. 90 PSI normally will get the job done. There were a lot of zones I had to blow out 2 to 4 times to get all the water out with the pancake air compressor. If i want to get the job done faster, my larger air compressor only has to blow out each zone once, and I can complete 11 zones in about 1 hour.

[@jeffsstuff6575]

@@onesimpledad Yeah, not sure why it didn’t work for me. Might have to save up for a higher capacity compressor.

[@brusind]

@@jeffsstuff6575 Try letting the compressor run through your system for a few minutes prior to turning your sprinkler zone on. I blow out my irrigation with the same pancake compressor as above. I find that if I just immediately turn a zone on, it only blows out a little water. I also only use 50PSI as most irrigation systems are around 40PSI water. You will also need to continuously let your compressor fill back up, it won't run at X PSI for more than a few minutes; it just doesn't have the CFM and size tank to hold that pressure. You may get 2 minutes before you need to disconnect and let the compressor charge back up.