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Winterizing Your Farm Irrigation System - A Handy Checklist

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  The Purpose of Winterizing Farm Irrigation Systems You may be done with harvesting the crops this season, but it’s not time to rest just yet. Left unprotected, your irrigation equipment will remain exposed to the risk of damage by the ice that forms within it. If your system is not blown out properly, you might end up with cracked or burst pipes, malfunctioning irrigation equipment and costly repair bills. As the temperature begins to drop, it’s time to protect your commercial irrigation system. This one final seasonal project will ensure that your equipment will be ready to serve you again in the spring. Whether you have a farm, fruit orchard, or vineyard, the same irrigation winterizing principles apply; you must remove excess water to prevent damage caused by ice. The blow-out method forces high-pressure air through all the pipes and equipment to remove remaining water. While similar to the steps required for winterizing a commercial or landscape irrigation system [insert li...

A Landscape Contractor's Guide to Winterization

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  Goal of Winterizing Irrigation Systems The chill autumn air is upon us, which means that now is the time to winterize your irrigation systems! Your sprinkler system is an investment that requires seasonal maintenance. Properly winterizing your irrigation system is critical to preventing damaged pipes and backflow devices.  Ruptured pipes and backflow devices can result in very costly repairs. When water freezes and expands within an irrigation system, it can cause damage. The overall goal of winterizing is to get all the water out of the irrigation system to prevent damage from freezing temperatures. The damage can take place in any component of the system:  sprinklers, filters, fittings, pipe, pump casings, or backflows. All components are susceptible to cracking, resulting in a leaky irrigation system and a whole lot of money wasted.   Winterizing an irrigation system correctly, will save you time and money. Not only is it critical to winterize irrigation eq...

Top 8 Tips for Winterizing the Irrigation System on a Golf Course

  The Importance of Winterization Winterization is the essential process of removing all water from an irrigation system to prevent potential damage to its components. This becomes especially crucial in cold climates where freezing is inevitable. Water undergoes a 9% expansion in volume when it freezes, which can lead to damage within a closed irrigation system. Proper winterization of your golf course irrigation system ensures peace of mind during the cold months, knowing that your equipment will be ready for action come spring. The time and effort invested in winterizing your system will yield significant benefits when you need it next. Preparing for Winterization Winterizing a golf course irrigation system may seem daunting due to its extensive coverage and numerous components. Typically, these systems hold a substantial amount of water, ranging from 22,000 to 27,000 gallons. Golf course operators and commercial landscape contractors are familiar with irrigation m...

Irrigation Automation and Controls

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Understanding Automation in Irrigation Automatic irrigation employs devices like controls and sensors to regulate water flow, adjusting flow rates without human intervention. It finds applications in various sectors, including: Agriculture Commercial and Residential Landscaping Golf Courses Campuses HOAs And more Functioning of Automatic Irrigation Systems An automatic irrigation system comprises sensors that manage critical functions, such as starting, stopping, and controlling water flow. The control module, connected to buried valves, diverts water from the primary source into different zones based on programmed settings. Key Components of Automation Systems Major components of automated irrigation systems include : Valve system: The primary valve connects to the water supply, controlled by timers to manage water release. Underground piping: Typically made of polyurethane or PVC, these pipes connect to the main water source, ensuring even water distribution. Sprinkler heads: These d...