Backflow Preventer Quick Drain Instructions
Performing a Quick-Drain will protect your exposed exterior pipes and backflow preventer from early fall and late spring cold-snaps. There are many different sprinkler system shut-off and drain configurations. Your system and components may not look exactly the same as the one shown here, however, the process to shut-off and drain will be very similar.
Referencing the diagram below, follow these instruction to perform a quick drain of your system:
- Step 1: Shut off sprinkler water supply valve (1) by turning to the right. (usually located in the basement or crawl space)
- Step 2: Go outside and locate your backflow preventer. Turn both test ports (5) to 45 degrees. (use a flat head screw driver)
- Step 3: Turn both isolation valves (4) to 45 degrees. (if they are hard to turn, you can use pliers)
- Step 4: Open any drains (3) located under the backflow preventer. (Not all systems have exterior drain)
- Step 5: Go back inside, locate and open your interior drain (2) and catch the water that comes out with a bucket. (Drain will be located on the shut off valve or immediately after it)
- Step 6: Go to your controller and run a station manually for 10 minutes. (This will open a valve solenoid and allow gravity to drain the remaining water)
- Step 7 (OPTIONAL): Go back outside, wrap your backflow preventer with an old blanket, then cover with a garbage bag. (This step will help insulate and keep snow/ice from accumulating)
IMPORTANT: You will still need to have your sprinkler system blown out! The quick drain is meant to be a temporary solution that will help prevent freeze damage in your backflow preventer before we can come out and finish your winterization.
