Sprinkler System Automatic Drains - But Why?
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- Опубліковано 4 чер 2021
- Welcome everyone back to The Sprinkler Channel! Here we go again! Today we are talking about automatic drains that get installed on sprinkler systems that help drain the pipes when the pipes are no longer pressurized allowing the pipes to drain and in essence winterize themselves. There are some very important key items when installing these and understanding how they work and where they should be installed on your sprinkler system. Automatic drains have been popular in the past and can be useful if you know how to use them correctly. If you ever have a freeze break in your system, this would probably be something you would want to install at that point when repair the pipe in order to keep it from happening in the future. The alternative to using this method for winterizing sprinklers would be using compressed air to blow out all the pipes which is a little more involved and has to happen each year. We will let you decide how and when will be the best scenarios for you to use these automatic drains. Let us know what other sprinkler videos you are interested in us making and thanks again for spreading the word to allow us to help as many people when it comes to sprinkler systems.
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Thanks for the info. This was really helpful.
Clear… great video
I have manual drain valves, installed by the previous owner. Why would they do that? Is the purpose to keep the lines full of water so that there isn’t so much air purging noise every morning? Would I typically open then after the season and close them in summer?
That is most likely the case. You have more control when the pipes are emptied. Definitely open before winter to drain and then close before starting up the next summer to avoid water wastage.
Any diagram of typical sprinkler system with this automatic drain installed would help
There is no standard position for these as each design will have different low spots depending on the topography of the land and installation. I’ve also seen them on the main line just after the filter in a sprinkler box. Lots of variables to take into consideration.
We just moved into a newer home with an irrigation system. I've never used an irrigation system. I figured out how to turn it on and the time settings but my question is after the watering is done there's a small fountain of water coming out of the back of the yard for a bit of time. Every time. Is this normal? Seems like a waste of water to me.
If it’s coming out of one of the sprinkler heads, it most likely is the lowest point in the system draining due to the pressure caused by gravity. Check out our video on check valves if you are dealing with pop up type heads.
Stop Water Draining from Sprinkler Heads
ua-cam.com/video/vHcQrJe7QmU/v-deo.html
Would it be proper to dig a hole under the automatic drain, maybe approx 2 feet deep and fill it with gravel?
Definitely a great option
Probably doesn’t need to be very deep since drip is slow
I have one of these installed exactly like you describe it and it drains well. Almost too well. It actually saturates the yard to the point where you walk on the yard and it’s soaked. Any thoughts on how to make this better?
I’d check to make sure it’s functioning properly and no other breaks. If so it may be due to a lot of the water draining through just one. You may either want to install additions ones in other area or plug it and have access to it to be able to drain it only to winterize.
Also make sure the automatic drain isn’t malfunctioning in that it lets water out when the line is pressurized.
Is this installed under ground? or should it only be above the ground?
Underground is normal. Ideally wherever the lowest point is.
Works off of gravity as soon as the line is no longer pressurized.