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

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2022
  • Winterize sprinkler system by blowing out your home underground irrigation sprinkler system using a small air compressor. Save money and blow out the sprinkler system.
    You do not need to hire someone with a huge high cfm diesel air compressor in most cases. A small compressor and some patience will often work.
    * * Disclaimer - not responsible for any direct or indirect damage done. This is an illustration only **
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ความคิดเห็น • 60

  • @dinomartino8800
    @dinomartino8800 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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
      @gregs_garage  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @retiredguy7785
    @retiredguy7785 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    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
      @SuperStanislovas ปีที่แล้ว

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

    • @billboswell4509
      @billboswell4509 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      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
      @retiredguy7785 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      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.

  • @Micah6and8
    @Micah6and8 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Finally, a great video on doing this. Thanks!

  • @Burgafilms1
    @Burgafilms1 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for the demo ! Doing mine this weekend

  • @knight1987
    @knight1987 ปีที่แล้ว +7

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

    • @gregs_garage
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว +5

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

  • @Dan_Ger1
    @Dan_Ger1 ปีที่แล้ว

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

  • @ajw2985
    @ajw2985 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good for a small property. Great video.

  • @hotshotbythemile2811
    @hotshotbythemile2811 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great job 👏

  • @danieldbarton
    @danieldbarton 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thank you!

  • @richiet6513
    @richiet6513 ปีที่แล้ว

    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
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว

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

  • @davidh4921
    @davidh4921 ปีที่แล้ว

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

    • @crownfire86
      @crownfire86 ปีที่แล้ว

      How'd it go?

    • @davidh4921
      @davidh4921 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      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
      @crownfire86 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@davidh4921 Nice!

    • @KusHome12
      @KusHome12 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      How was your spring?

    • @davidh4921
      @davidh4921 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@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

  • @dougcoleburn1579
    @dougcoleburn1579 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

  • @chhinchhay5967
    @chhinchhay5967 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    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
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      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.

  • @AndrewAllen-jh3uh
    @AndrewAllen-jh3uh ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

    • @AndrewAllen-jh3uh
      @AndrewAllen-jh3uh ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@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

  • @12janicerd
    @12janicerd ปีที่แล้ว

    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
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

    • @12janicerd
      @12janicerd ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@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
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว +3

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

    • @12janicerd
      @12janicerd ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@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
    @TLASPEK 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

    • @gregs_garage
      @gregs_garage  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @Attila_V
    @Attila_V ปีที่แล้ว

    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
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      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
      @Attila_V ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

    • @gregs_garage
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

    • @Attila_V
      @Attila_V ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@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

  • @31acruz
    @31acruz 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

    • @gregs_garage
      @gregs_garage  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      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
    @BeforeAndAfterScience ปีที่แล้ว +4

    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
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Nonsense

    • @BeforeAndAfterScience
      @BeforeAndAfterScience ปีที่แล้ว

      @@gregs_garage How do you figure dude?

    • @robertmartin8007
      @robertmartin8007 ปีที่แล้ว +9

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

  • @nilolee2426
    @nilolee2426 ปีที่แล้ว

    Compressor too small for the job

    • @gregs_garage
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว +11

      but it works - 17 years now.

  • @jayryan7473
    @jayryan7473 ปีที่แล้ว

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

    • @gregs_garage
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      not sure what you mean.

    • @michaelmagidson4094
      @michaelmagidson4094 ปีที่แล้ว

      Zurn, at least, recommends 30 psi.

    • @gregs_garage
      @gregs_garage  ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

    • @UffDaDan
      @UffDaDan ปีที่แล้ว +2

      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
      @frogsmoker714 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

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