HOW TO DRAIN THE SRINKLER SYSTEM BASEMENT PIPE
You Don't Need to Be Home for a Sprinkler Blowout Service
If You Drain Your Basement Pipe!
If you were not home during the sprinkler blowout service or would like to drain the sprinkler system’s pipes before our arrival, please follow the instructions below carefully. It is important to complete all steps in the process, as skipping any may result in damage to your sprinkler system next spring. Here’s how to properly drain the sprinkler system for winter.
Easy to Follow Step-by-Step Instructions
Step #1 - Turning off the Water to the Sprinkler System
Locate the Sprinkler Water Shutoff
Find the sprinkler system’s water shutoff valve, typically located in the crawlspace or basement. This valve may be either a lever-style ball valve or a twist-handle gate valve, similar to an outdoor spigot.
If it is a Ball Valve – Lever (See Photo Below)
To close a ball valve, turn the lever until it is perpendicular to the pipe. This indicates the valve is fully shut. To open it, turn the lever so it is parallel with the pipe.
If it is a Gate Valve – Circular (See Photo Below)
If you have a gate valve, turn it clockwise until it is fully closed. Be sure to tighten it securely, as gate valves can sometimes leak if not completely shut.
Make Sure You Turned Off Only the Sprinkler Water
Please be aware that there can be many pipes in the basement, and identifying the one for the sprinkler system can be somewhat confusing. If you’re unsure where your sprinkler shutoff valve is located, start by locating the vacuum breaker (the pipe structure outside – see Illustration A). Trace the pipe backward until you reach the first valve you encounter; this will be your sprinkler shutoff valve.
Water Shut Off Valves
Ball Valve
This is a ball valve. This is what a basement pipe sprinkler system shutoff usually looks like.
Gate Valve
This is a gate valve. To close this you need to turn the handle area all the way clockwise until it stops moving. Then you need to turn it very hard to make sure it is 100% closed.
Step #2 - Verify the Water to the Sprinkler System is Off
(Not the Water to the House)
The Kitchen Sink Check
Before heading outside, double-check that you have turned off the correct valve for the sprinkler system and not the main water supply.
To verify, turn on the kitchen sink faucet and let the water run for about 10 seconds. If the water continues flowing with normal pressure, you’ve turned off the right valve and can proceed to the next steps outside.
However, if the water stops flowing, you’ve likely shut off the main water supply. In that case, reopen the valve and try a different one until you find the sprinkler shutoff.
Once you’ve identified the correct valve, label it “Sprinkler Shutoff” so it’s easy to locate next year.
Locate the Vacuum Breaker
With the sprinkler water now turned off, head outside to locate the vacuum breaker.
Vacuum Breaker
Step #3A – Draining the Basement Pipe Before the System has been Winterized
The Water in the Basement Should be Off! – Now You Can Go Outside
Before Draining the Basement Pipe – Open the Test Cocks to Create Air Flow
The test cocks on the vacuum breaker should be in the closed position (perpendicular). To open them, use a flathead screwdriver to turn the screws located on the side of each test cock. Rotate each screw a quarter turn until the flathead screwdriver line is parallel to the test cocks. If you’re unsure, simply turn the screw a quarter turn. It is important to open the test cocks because if they remain closed, no water will drain from the basement due to a lack of airflow in the pipes.
A Little Water May Come Out of the Test Cock
Please note that a small amount of water may briefly flow from the test cock, which is normal. However, if the water continues to flow, you likely haven’t shut off the correct valve in the basement. If water is gushing from the test cock, turn it back to a closed position by adjusting it to a 90-degree angle until the water stops. Then, go back downstairs and locate the correct shutoff valve for the sprinkler system.
Open The Testcocks
Step #3B- If The Sprinkler System Has Already Been
Blown Out by Organo-Lawn
You Must Turn Off the Water in the Basement Before Doing Anything Else
Make Sure Basement Water is Off
Before adjusting any valves on the vacuum breaker, ensure the water supply is completely turned off.
Important: If you open a lever positioned at a 90-degree angle before shutting off the water, it will allow water to re-enter the system. This will require an additional visit to re-blow out the system.
Vacuum Breaker – One Valve Will be Set at 90 Degrees and One at 45 Degrees
If we have already blown out the sprinkler system, one valve on the vacuum breaker will be at a 90-degree angle (perpendicular or closed). The other valve will remain at a 45-degree angle.
Turn Both Handles to 45 Degrees
The lever positioned perpendicular to the pipe (closed) should be located on the pipe that runs directly from the house.
To properly drain the basement pipe, this ball valve must be opened to allow airflow. To do this, turn the valve to a 45-degree angle.
Why this is Important: Without proper airflow, the basement pipe will not fully drain, which could lead to water remaining in the system and potential damage.
Valves Set at 90 Degrees and 45 Degrees
If Water is Gushing Out?
If the water has been turned off correctly then no water will be gushing out of the testcocks. If water is gushing out of the test cocks, the correct shutoff valve in the basement has not been closed.
What to Do
- Immediately turn the ball valve back to a 90-degree angle (closed) to stop the water flow.
- Double-check the basement shutoff valve to ensure the correct one is fully closed.
- Contact our office for assistance, as water may have entered the vacuum breaker, requiring another blowout service.
If Water is Gushing Out of the Vacuum Breaker - Then Something is Wrong
Step #4 - Draining the Water From the Basement Pipe Into a Bucket
Grab a Bucket
Return to the sprinkler shutoff valve downstairs. Bring a bucket to avoid spilling water.
Find the Drain Nipple or Drain
Between the sprinkler shutoff valve and the vacuum breaker, there should be a water drain nipple. This is typically a small nipple (indicated by the arrow to the right) or, in some cases, a spigot drain similar to an outdoor hose spigot.
Open The Drain Nipple or Spigot
Once you’ve located the drain, position a bucket underneath the drain nipple or spigot. Then, unscrew the nipple or open the spigot to drain the water. Continue this process until all the water has been completely removed from the pipe.
If The Water Stops Your Are Good to Go
If the pipe stops draining, you are finished. If no water drains, please refer to the note below.
Drain Nipple
If No Water is Coming Out
To begin, ensure that the test cocks on the vacuum breaker are closed (they should be positioned perpendicular). Next, you will need to open both test cocks. Use a flathead screwdriver to turn the screw located on the side of each test cock until they are open. To do this, turn the screw a quarter turn so that the flathead screwdriver line is parallel to the test cocks.
Opening Test Cocks
If you’re uncertain about this step, simply turning the screw a quarter turn will suffice. Opening the test cocks is crucial; if they remain closed, no water will drain from the basement due to a lack of airflow in the pipes.
Please Note
A small amount of water may gush out when you open the test cocks, and this is normal. If the water continues to gush, it indicates that you have not shut off the correct valve in the basement. In such a case, close the test cock back to a 90-degree angle (to the closed position) until the water stops. Then, go back downstairs to locate the correct sprinkler shutoff valve.
Test Cock
1. Locate the small valve on the backflow preventer (also known as the vacuum breaker).
2. Use a flathead screwdriver to turn the valve a quarter turn.
3. When the line on the screwdriver is parallel to the test cocks, the valve is open. When it is perpendicular, the valve is closed.
What to do If the Water Doesn’t Drain From the Basement Pipe
Note: If no water comes out of the pipe this means you have a vacuum lock because there is no airflow in the pipe. You have either not opened the lever #2 to a 45-degree angle or the test cocks are closed. Close the water drain nipple and go back to the vacuum breaker and either open lever #2 or open the test cocks and try again. If this does not work please contact our office for advice.
If Nothing is Working
Contact our office and we can send someone out to take a look. (This may be for an additional charge)