Protecting the back flow on your sprinkler system

[gomoho]

It has been mentioned on TOTV that one should drain the backflow system on their irrigation system to prevent freezing. Does anyone have a clue where I would find the backflow system and how to drain it???

[Down Sized]

I don't think it will be cold enough-long enough to drain the back flow valve.

[pooh]

Got this just a bit ago from the district. Not all may have this backflow preventer.

e-Notification
Subject: What's Happening - Special Edition
Date: 1/6/2014


Due to the upcoming freezing temperatures, we will be taking several precautionary measures to ensure the safety of our community. All of the fountains will remain running throughout the night. We will also be turning off all irrigation systems and outdoor pool showers. As residents, you can also protect your irrigation system by taking an old blanket and covering your backflow preventer. This small black box can be found near the side of your home next to your irrigation valves.



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[rayschic]

Yes, good idea to put an old blanket over the backflow preventer. It's usually on the side of your house. About 4 years ago, we had a freeze and water got under the plastic cap of the backflow preventer. The water expanded and turned to ice, breaking the cap. It was like a geyser with all the water shooting out of the line. This happened to about 40 homes in Summerhill. Now, everyone puts a blanket over it.Our backflow preventer looks something like this.Seems like, from the article, they may have replaced these with a black box on the side of the house.
irrigation backflow preventer - Yahoo Search Results (http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=ipad&p=irrigation+backflow+preventer&pcarrier=&pmcc=000&pmnc=00)

[gomoho]

Well I don't have a black box on the side of my house and opened the irrigation box in the ground on the side of the house and didn't see anything that looked like what I saw in the link. Any other suggestions??? Am I over-reacting.

[CFrance]

Is this small black box recessed into the ground, or...?

[mrfixit]

Well I don't have a black box on the side of my house and opened the irrigation box in the ground on the side of the house and didn't see anything that looked like what I saw in the link. Any other suggestions??? Am I over-reacting.

Do you even have one .......
...........................IF you live SOUTH or CR466, the Potable water
is NOT interconnected into your irrigation system......

.......therefore.........
............... WOULD it be safe to surmise you do NOT have one SOUTH of CR466.
The irrigation water is a totally separate from your drinking water, South of CR 466.
.( note: this would ONLY apply to homes IN The Villages)

IMHO there would be no need to have THAT type of backflow preventer.

You do have a backflow preventer that is screwed onto your
hose-bib in ALL locations....... but............
this does not have anything to do with the irrigation system.

[DonH57]

Our irrigation backflow preventer is next to the valve box and basically looks like an upside down U. It was shown to me by our realtor.

[gomoho]

I am south of 466 and irrigating with reclaimed water so I'm think I don't have a backflow regulator. Guess if it freezes tonight and blows I'll know tomorrow that I do have one!

[rjm1cc]

It has been mentioned on TOTV that one should drain the backflow system on their irrigation system to prevent freezing. Does anyone have a clue where I would find the backflow system and how to drain it???Try

Cold Weather - Freezing Pipes (http://www.candlerconnection.org/ColdWeather-FreezingPipes.html)

Download pdf and in the middle is instructions and pictures.