There are four steps to winterizing your sprinkler system:

1. Turn off the water to the sprinkler system in your home.
2. Go outside to the vacuum breaker, open the test cocks and set the ball valves to a 45 degree angle.
3. Open the valve box drain, open the valve or open the valve by running the sprinkler clock manually.
4. Go back downstairs and open the drain nipple to drain the water from the pipe.

For more detailed instruction, view one of the videos below.

How to Protect a Sprinkler System Before a Sudden Freeze - No Time to Blow Out the System

Winterizing your PVB

• Pipes near broken or open basement windows
• Unheated crawl spaces and equipment rooms
• Pipes near the foundation or cracks in the basement wall
• Pipes near exterior wall in unheated room  
• Pipes under kitchen sinks or cupboards

• Unusually cold water temperature, less than 35 degrees fahrenheit, at any fixture
• Unusually low water flow at a fixture
• Discolored water at a fixture
• Low water pressure at a fixture
• Extremely cold piping at a fixture
• Sputtering sound when opening a fixture
• No water at all

• The safest approach is to use hot air from a hair dryer or a portable heater.
• Use heat tape, but with caution and following the manufacturer’s instructions explicitly.

• Check water temperature and run a little water if unusually cold
• Shut off and drain outside water faucets before freezing occurs
• Run a slight drip in faucets on outside walls and open cabinets/doors to heat areas susceptible to freezing
• Insulate walls near exposed piping
• Repair cold air leaks to reduce drafts on piping and meter