10-10-18 RE Weekly

OCTOBER 10, 2018 • Volume 13 • Issue 41

RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa

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Call Ali Eernisse 515-663-6956

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Winterize your

ways, depending on the type of system you have: manually, automatically, or with the help of an air compressor. Winterize your sprinkler system at the right time and save money and hassle, because you won’t have to repair the setup when spring rolls around again.

How to winterize a sprinkler system: manual or auto drain valve

sprinkler system

• If your system has manual or auto drain valves, you will see them at the irrigation piping’s low points and ends. To prep for winter, first close down the main water supply to your system.

• For a manual drain system, open all the manual drain valves and allow the water to flow out of the main line. Be sure to drain all liquid from the sprinkler heads, piping, and backflow device. Then close the manual drain valves.

• For an auto drain system, relieve the system pressure, which will activate the auto drain once the pressure has gone down below 10 PSI. open the backflow device’s test cocks. As with the manual drain system, take care to drain any liquid remaining in the sprinkler heads, piping, or backflow device.

How to winterize a sprinkler system: air compressor (‘blow-out’) method • Start by turning off the system’s water supply. To winterize your sprinkler system safely, you must also remove the remaining water from all components. This is done using an air compressor. A low-pressure flow of air is pushed through the system’s lines to drain the valves, heads, laterals, and mains.

• While air compressors can be rented, DIY sprinkler system blow-out is not recommended because the task can be very dangerous if not performed precisely. Here are the main caveats: • The compressor should provide the correct amount of pressure and the correct CFM. Otherwise, you face two potential dangers: 1) not draining all the water from your system and thus putting your system at risk of freezing or 2) causing damage to the pipes and/or valves.

• Working with compressed air often results in airborne debris. Protective eyewear approved by the ANSI is a must when blowing out a sprinkler system. Also, avoid standing over the sprinkler system while it is being blown out.

FREEIMAGES

• The compressed air must be shut off promptly as soon as the system is dry. If this is not done, the air movement may create friction on the dry piping, leading to heat damage.

By Laura Firszt

Sprinkler system winterization tips

More Content Now

• Gradually taper off the amount of water you give the lawn, starting a few weeks before you plan to winterize your sprinkler system. You’ll have healthier grass and soil next growing season.

F

all is the time to get moving and get your house and its equipment winterready. If you live in any part of the United States that experiences freezing winters, preparing your lawn sprinkler system for the cold is an important part of your fall home maintenance routine. Here’s why it’s essential to winterize your sprinkler system before the first frost is expected in your area.

• Take this opportunity to repair any damaged sprinkler components, so the system will be in great shape for spring.

Why winterize your sprinkler system?

• Whichever winterization method you use, once you’ve drained the water, protect the main water shutoff valve with foam insulating tape topped with a plastic bag.

After every watering, small amounts of liquid remain in your sprinkler system, even when it sits unused for a long period. If this water is left undrained through the cold weather, it will freeze and expand, damaging the system’s piping and other components.

Winterizing a lawn sprinkler system consists of draining out the water in one of three

• Don’t want to worry about scheduling sprinkler winterization? You can arrange a sprinkler maintenance contract with a reliable local landscaper.

Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.

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TIPS OF THE WEEK GARDENING

CLEANING

DESIGN

HELPFUL FALL TIPS

PREP FOR WINTER

The experts at Bonnie Plants offer tried-andtrue tips for fall gardening:

HouseLogic offers some tips for cleaning out the dirt before winter comes.

EXTERIOR MAKES IMPACT

• Consider raising the soil level about 8 inches to encourage proper drainage. Fill the bed with a soil mix specifically formulated for raised beds or use a mix of native soil and compost.

• Wash and disinfect garbage cans and wastebaskets with a solution of vinegar and water.

• Pay close attention to plant tag information for light requirements, spacing and “days to maturity” for varieties selected.

• To extend the harvest in colder climates, consider a cold frame, which protects plants long after unsheltered veggies start to fail.

• Turn over furniture and vacuum the bottoms to get rid of the dust bunnies.

• Winterize your entry with items like boot scrapers and outdoor mats.

Your home’s exterior gives off a powerful first impression.

A recent poll conducted by vinyl siding brand Mastic by Ply Gem showed that only half of homeowners say their home’s exterior reflects their personality. This is surprising since 81 percent say a home’s exterior shapes their impression of the homeowner.

— Brandpoint

Don’t see your home in the

RE WEEKLY Then contact a Realtor® today, because you are missing out on over 37,000+ potential buyers seeing your property for sale.

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REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, October 10, 2018 • Page RE7

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