HOW TO DRAIN THE BASEMENT PIPE OF A SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Sprinkler Irrigation Services – Boulder and Fort Collins Area
If You Can Do This
You Don’t Need to Be Home for a Sprinkler Blowout Service
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
Locate the water shutoff valve for the sprinkler system, which is usually found in the crawlspace or basement. Look for the shutoff valve, which may either be a lever (ball valve – see Illustration B) or a twist handle similar to your outdoor spigot (gate valve – see Illustration C).
If it is a Ball Valve – Lever (See Photo)
To operate a ball valve, turn the lever until it is perpendicular to the pipe. When the lever is perpendicular to the pipe, the valve is closed. Conversely, when the lever is parallel to the pipe, the valve is open.
If it is a Gate Valve – Circular (See Photo)
If the valve is a gate valve (C), please turn it clockwise to close it. When dealing with a gate valve (C), make sure to tighten it as much as possible, as these valves can often leak water if they are not fully closed.
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 Valve Styles
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
Make sure you have turned off the correct valve for the sprinkler system, not another water valve. To verify, turn on the faucet at your kitchen sink. Water should still be flowing; if it isn’t, you may have shut off the main water supply to the entire house. If that’s the case, go back and adjust a different lever until you find the correct one for the sprinkler shutoff. Once you identify the right lever, label it “sprinkler shutoff” so that next year you’ll know exactly which lever controls the sprinklers.
Locate the Vacuum Breaker
Now that the sprinkler water is off, go outside to locate the vacuum breaker. This can be found at the front, back, or either side of the house.
Vacuum Breaker
Step #3A- If it is Before Organo-Lawn Has Blown Out the Sprinkler System
Draining the Basement Pipe Before the System has been Winterized
Before Draining the Pipe You Need to Go To the Vacuum Breaker
If you are draining the water from the basement pipe before our arrival, please ensure the lever is positioned parallel to the pipe (open). You can either leave the lever in the open position or set it at a 45-degree angle. Do not shut it or place it at a 90-degree angle. Keeping it open or at a 45-degree angle allows air to flow into the basement pipe, which will help the water drain properly.
Open the Testcocks 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 Testcock
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
Draining the Basement Pipe
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.
Make Sure Basement Water is Off
Make sure to turn off the water before adjusting the other valve to a 45-degree angle. If you open the lever that is positioned at a 90-degree angle before turning off the water, it will allow water to enter the vacuum breaker, and we will need to return to blow out the system again.
Turn Both Handles to 45 Degrees
The lever that is perpendicular and closed should be located on the pipe that comes directly from the house. To allow airflow into the basement pipe, turn the valve to a 45-degree angle. It is crucial to open this airflow because, without it, the basement pipe will not fully drain.
Important Note
If water is gushing out of the test cocks, it means you have not shut off the correct valve in the basement. In this case, turn the valve back to a 90-degree angle (closed) until the water stops. Please contact our office for assistance. We will need to blow out the system again, as water may have entered the vacuum breaker.
Valves Set at 90 Degrees and 45 Degrees
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 Testcocks
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.
Testcock
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)