Experts share tips on how to winterize irrigation systems properly

Improperly winterizing your irrigation system can lead to major problems for golf course superintendents. (Photo: Joel Braun)

As superintendents prepare to winterize their irrigation systems, Joel Braun, owner of Medina, Ohio-based Technical Choice, advises them to review their historical records. Upon analyzing this data, they should choose whichever time frame their irrigation cycles have typically been completed each season.

For instance, in Northeast Ohio, Braun usually assists superintendents with their winterization processes in late October. From there, he assists superintendents at more southern courses throughout November. Ultimately, he completes his last winterizations in early December.

Joel Braun

While assisting superintendents, Braun drains out all their irrigation systems prior to performing blowouts. This speeds up the blowout process and minimizes any negative effects before each system is reused the following spring. Additionally, he uses a compressor that’s properly sized for each superintendent’s respective irrigation system.

“If a superintendent has 500 to 800 sprinkler heads, they can probably winterize their irrigation system with a 375 to 450 CFM compressor,” Braun says. “If they have 800 to 1,800 sprinkler heads, they should utilize a 750 CFM compressor, and if they have 1,800 or more sprinkler heads, I’d recommend a 900 CFM unit instead.”

Furthermore, he believes superintendents should use 2-inch air hoses, as the maximum flow rate through a 2-inch line is roughly 1,200 CFM. If they utilize smaller air hoses instead, superintendents simply won’t push enough air out to winterize their sprinkler heads properly, leading to potentially serious damage down the road.

Braun stresses that superintendents must use a pressure regulator when they blow out their systems too. Although most compressors have an internal regulator that superintendents can easily set, most can’t be set below 50 psi. Therefore, he recommends superintendents utilize an external pressure regulator on their air compressor’s discharge line.

(Photo: Joel Braun)

As air is pushed into their irrigation systems, superintendents must open their pressure relief points. All systems should be opened as well, and quick couplers should be placed on a golf course’s highest elevation areas.

“Drains, relief points and valves should only be closed (and quick couplers removed) once air and water are no longer being discharged,” he adds. “As a result, superintendents will minimize their likelihood of wintertime damage — and any associated costs — considerably.”

Hunter Industries

Carl Eberts

Carl Eberts

Golf Category Manager

It’s important for superintendents to stay proactive in managing their irrigation systems and courses. If action is not taken to properly shut down the irrigation, they risk severe damage to their entire system potentially. The main pipe, valves, swing joints and rotors are all susceptible to damage if excess water is left in the system and it freezes. Other parts of the system, such as water meters, flow sensors and backflow devices, can also be damaged by compressed air during the winterization process, so the air connection should be downstream of these sensitive components.

Due to the risks involved, I recommend that the blowout process be performed by a licensed contractor. Once pressure is completely expelled from the system after the blowout process, the final step is to ensure that no points of entry are left open for debris throughout the winter.

SiteOne Landscape Supply

Steve Rebhan

Steve Rebhan

Key Account Manager

When an irrigation system isn’t properly winterized, every system component can be damaged. Some of the consequences might be immediate, while others may take several years to appear. However, each will cause additional repairs and maintenance tasks and ultimately reduce the system’s functional life.

If a superintendent blows out their system in colder temperatures, they may damage rotors and swing joints. However, if they blow it out properly — before it’s too late in the season — this usually isn’t a major issue. It’s not uncommon for a superintendent in the northern United States to blow out their course’s system when the air temperature is below 32 degrees F. As long as the ground isn’t frozen and the pipes’ water is still in liquid form, superintendents can winterize their systems.

The biggest danger of late winterization is tied to superintendents and staff members working long days in cold, wet conditions. Superintendents should make sure their team is properly outfitted and take breaks in heated areas and avoid potentially hazardous exposure.

Rain Bird

Serge Gauthier

Serge Gauthier

Global Specifications Manager

Each golf course should assess its own winterization needs, as weather varies so much across different regions. In cold climates, improper irrigation system winterization can be costly, particularly if it leads to equipment breakdowns. Water expands under 32 degrees F, and the expansion can cause pipes and fittings to burst, valves to crack and sprinkler cases to split open, among other issues.

During the winterization process, if insufficient air volume is used to blow out the system, the water will drain back into low points, leading to possible damage. In locations where pipe freezing isn’t a problem, superintendents should consider winterizing exposed components, such as backflow prevention devices and liquid level controls.

Regardless of location, I recommend a written, documented winterization procedure that any staff member can follow step by step to avoid mistakes.

Winterizing an irrigation system too late will have the same risks associated with improper winterization.

Toro

Andy Strother

Andy Strother

Senior Marketing Manager, Irrigation

If a superintendent winterizes their golf course’s irrigation system improperly, they’ll notice two main consequences: costly repairs and permanent damage. If the system isn’t properly purged of water, that water can freeze and expand, causing the pipes, valves and sprinklers to burst. During the pressurized air winterization process, compressed air travels through the piping system at a much higher velocity than water. Trapped water pockets, propelled by the compressed air, can move quickly through the pipe and damage whatever they hit along the way. To reduce the risk of damage, superintendents should regulate air pressure. Gravity draining is an effective alternative that can minimize sprinkler damage, but it may not completely empty the system, so a combination of both methods usually provides the best result.

As a general rule of thumb, superintendents should winterize their system after outdoor temperatures are three degrees below freezing for three or more days. If they wait too long, system components may break.