Winterize to Avoid Frozen Pipes

If you have a lawn irrigation system, you should be getting it winterized soon. Lawn irrigation systems are required to have a backflow preventer which may be located outdoors. Wrapping the device with insulation or heat tape may not be sufficient to keep it from freezing.

EWSU recommends hiring a plumbing professional to remove the backflow preventer and store it somewhere warm for the winter. If that is not possible, there are a few easy steps homeowners can take to get the device ready for the first hard freeze.

1) Turn off water to the backflow preventer
2) Open the test cocks with a flathead screwdriver to bleed out all of the water
3) Close the test cocks after all of the water has been drained
4) Close the shutoff valves to turn off the water supply to the system

If you want to stop billing for your irrigation system during winter months, click here to complete the Irrigation Activate and Deactive Form.