How to Blow Out and Winterize a Sprinkler System using a small air compressor

[@retiredguy7785]

I have used a small compressor on my sprinkler system for the last several years. It does work as you have described. Never have had issues. I live in northern canada.

[@SuperStanislovas]

how small Yours is? I have 1 galon (3.75 liters) - does it look enough?

[@billboswell4509]

I've used a pancake type with 2.9 cfm on a larger 6 zone 16 head system for 18 years with no problem. Take your time and cycle each zone a few times while you put away patio furniture or rake the leaves. Beats paying $113 each year for my house and then again formy daughter's house.

[@retiredguy7785]

I use a makita 2.5 hp 4.2 gallon compressor. I use 80 psi when blowing out my lines. I have 3 zones and I cycle the compressor 10 times per zone. As I wrote, it has worked for me for the last 6-7 years without issue.

[@dinomartino8800]

Thanks Greg for this video! Rented a small Makita 3HP 6.5 CFM 110V compressor from Home Depot ($38 Cdn for 4 hours) 2 days ago, and your video was very helpful in helping me get the job done .... had to cycle about 5-6 times for each 'irrigation line station', as pressure would drop quickly when air put into line. Regulator on compressor wasn't working and air would discharge thru line no matter where regulator was set, so I ended up just disconnecting the air line from the 'water connection-pneumatic adapter' to allow compressor tank to build-up pressure to 80 psi before reconnecting. Took about an hour to do 6 irrigation station lines (4 sprinklers/line), but they are well cleaned out and saved me spending $90-100 for big compressor guys coming -sort of fun to do myself also. Ironically, I could tell by your video (eg. type & layout of backyard trees, walkway & driveway, etc.) that you must be a neighbor up on S. Hill area (SW).

[@gregs_garage]

Excellent. Buy a compressor for next year. Yes this SW has a unique look to it.

[@Micah6and8]

Finally, a great video on doing this. Thanks!

[@georgegeranios2918]

Thank you. My pancake won't do this and my neighbor has the big guy, but alas some clarity on a system that looks like mine.

[@chhinchhay5967]

this is my first year doing blowout, I have a pancake 6 gallon compressor but only 2.6cfm do you think that would be too small? I tried using it and the sprinkler heads didn't pop up, but I see some water flow out from those head.

[@gregs_garage]

You need the heads to pop up. 2.6 pancake is small. Charge it up full and release it all and see how it goes but I think you need maybe 5 cfm or so mine is 6.2 and small.

[@dougcoleburn1579]

Nice! Im on a half acre. 18 Zones. I have a stand up 40 gallon compressor that goes to 150 psi. Last time I tried it myself I could get the 14 zones done in front yard. Back yard I could not get it to work. Should I maybe try the backyard first? Thanks for any info.

[@gregs_garage]

sure try the back first. If water goes thru then air should go thru. Maybe there are leaks.

[@TwainsGhost]

I just saw this so pardon me if it's too late to post a question, but if I have a compressor (DeWalt double tank contractor style) that produces 150psi and has both a fill gauge and a gauge to control output, why can't I set the output to 60-70psi and let it run? I'm concerned about releasing more pressure than that into the system and risking blown lines/valves.

[@gregs_garage]

try it. it may run out of air. I have to cycle mine like in the video. every system is different - start slow and increase. Once the water is out of the lines it's unlikely to blow anything up. GO slow at first.

[@knight1987]

Thanks for this video. You are saving me a $100

[@gregs_garage]

cool. if everyone sent me 5% i'd be rich

[@AndrewAllen-jh3uh]

I’m going to have to blow out a customer’s system soon but I couldn’t find a port to hook up a compressor. The main water line runs from the front yard and the ball valve is in the front yard as well. could I just put a t on the output side of the back flow for the compressor? Or do I have to somehow drain the main waterline as well.

[@gregs_garage]

The main waterline valve is outside? Does it freeze there?

[@AndrewAllen-jh3uh]

@@gregs_garage most of them here in middle Tn are in a valve box in the front yard. Most of them have a T in the valve box that the main is housed in. However to answer your question, no they don’t freeze

[@Dan_Ger1]

Great video. Now I know I save $90 every winter by using a compressor that I already paid for.

[@12janicerd]

Thanks for sharing. So if I use the controller to open each zone is that the same as you manually opening the zones and if so do you start with the first or last.

[@gregs_garage]

controller is fine. open a zone then add the air. order likely doesn't matter.

[@12janicerd]

@@gregs_garage It worked like a charm. I used 75 PSI and started with zone 1, It took me about 45 minutes once I figured it all out. Saved 105.00 for doing a little bit of tinkering.

[@gregs_garage]

@@12janicerd very good. no need to hire it out in most cases. send me the 105 instead. LOL!

[@12janicerd]

@@gregs_garage It's already spent plus an additional 100.00 lol!! My biggest concern was opening the valves, but it turned out to be simple using the controller manual stations. I'm going to be looking forward to it next year!!

[@TLASPEK]

So is higher number SCFM is bigger and smaller number is weaker?

[@gregs_garage]

higher scfm is higher airflow. airflow is needed to blow out sprinklers.

[@richiet6513]

Great video! Thanks for sharing! I have been trying to figure out if my little compressor will work or if I need to rent a big one. I will definitely try your cycling technique to see if that works on mine.

[@gregs_garage]

Worth a try on a smaller system. Gets most water out anyway

[@Attila_V]

It’s my first year blowing out the sprinklers. It looks as though we have the same hose/piping supplying the system. Could please give me parts list for your setup to spice into the water line. It would be greatly appreciated. Since I’m way behind schedule. Thank you in advance.

[@gregs_garage]

home depot plumbing stuff. probably 3/4" tee. Some people use a garden hose tap. you need to teach yourself as there is no such "Parts list". You just need to tap into the line and have some fitting for an air hose.

[@Attila_V]

@@gregs_garage thx man. Between Home Depot and princess auto I got it all hooked up now.

[@gregs_garage]

@@Attila_V Princess Lotto - sometimes you win, usually you lose!

[@Attila_V]

@@gregs_garage yeah but they had all the fittings and the fittings fit. Lol. Also picked up some oscillating tool blades for some seriously deep discounts. It was def a worthwhile trip. This time.. it was a win :-D

[@ajw2985]

Good for a small property. Great video.

[@Burgafilms1]

Thank you for the demo ! Doing mine this weekend

[@danieldbarton]

Thank you!

[@davidh4921]

Thanks for this! I'm going to try it for the first time. I'll keep you posted

[@crownfire86]

How'd it go?

[@davidh4921]

Good. I think! I have a 10 gallon compressor that i would charge up to the zone controller. I set it at 60 psi and opened one zone at a time. The sprinkler heads would pop up for 5 seconds and then go back down. I repeated this until there wasn’t water coming out so i think im good. Ill see how it goes in spring.

[@crownfire86]

@@davidh4921 Nice!

[@KusHome12]

How was your spring?

[@davidh4921]

@@KusHome12 good. No issues with sprinklers. This was after a longer utah winter. With that said i had some neighbors who didnt blow out their sprinklers and their stuff runs just fine. Maybe they got lucky this year

[@hotshotbythemile2811]

Great job 👏

[@shellderp]

That's a pretty hefty air compressor still, but it'll pay itself off in two or three seasons

[@31acruz]

You are using 150 psi to blow your system ??? should not exceed 70 psi some say 65 psi

[@gregs_garage]

it's low volume so the 150 psi only lasts for a second. Not enough to damage the lines. With a big compressor it would damage the lines.

[@BeforeAndAfterScience]

I do this every year with a brand new compressor, and then I return the compressor. 6 years now and I haven't had to use the same retailer twice.

[@gregs_garage]

Nonsense

[@BeforeAndAfterScience]

@@gregs_garage How do you figure dude?

[@robertmartin8007]

I’m sure you can afford one, it’s a stupid selfish way to go through life

[@jayryan7473]

150 psi? You should learn how to do this before telling others how it's done.

[@gregs_garage]

not sure what you mean.

[@michaelmagidson4094]

Zurn, at least, recommends 30 psi.

[@gregs_garage]

@@michaelmagidson4094 "Professional" contractors with diesel trailer units are running 100-110 PSI so they say.

[@UffDaDan]

Irrigation hoses are usually rated to 90psi I thought. Some recommend 70 probably just for a factor of safety. Personally the higher pressure doesn't help noticeably so lower pressure. Higher CFM should make the job quicker

[@frogsmoker714]

@@gregs_garage Yes, and blowing my sprinkler heads to pieces. Hence why I'm here. Thanks Greg.

[@nilolee2426]

Compressor too small for the job

[@gregs_garage]

but it works - 17 years now.