Originally recorded October 19, 2023.

You don't need to call a professional to winterize or blow out your inground sprinklers. Just follow along with this video.

You will need:
1. An air compressor. The larger the tank capacity, the better. I have 22 gallons of air at my disposal, you may get by with a smaller one if you have a smaller property and less zones, or if you have larger property and more zones, you'll need a larger one.
2. A way to introduce air into the system. If you have a regular hose spigot on the pipe that feeds the inground sprinklers, and a shutoff valve before it, you're all set. I used an old washing machine fill hose with one end cut off. In the other end I coupled two male industrial air fittings together. The diameter of that was just right to fit in the hose, held in place with a hose clamp. You can see how to make this device here:    • Make A Sprinkler System Blow-Out Tool...  
These devices are also available for sale ready-made.

You may wish to test the system first to ensure all heads are operating properly. Taking the time to do this now pays off later. If you've verified that all heads are working fine now, and properly blow out the system, if there is any problem next spring, you can be assured that the lines in the ground aren't cracked or broken, and you'd just have to adjust or replace the offending head.

Then just follow these steps:
1. Turn off the water supply to the sprinkler system.
2. Open the outdoor spigot, and open the draincock and allow the water to drain into a bucket. Close the draincock.
3. Turn on the first zone to a manual cycle at the sprinkler timer. Connect the hose to the spigot, and blast the zone out. Once no more water comes out of the heads, I recommend you disconnect the air, allow your compressor to refill the tank, and then blast the zone again.
4. Repeat step 3 for all other zones.
5. Turn the control on your sprinkler timer to off.

While you have your air hose out, it's a good idea to blow out your garden hose as well. You have everything you need right there, take a minute or two and do it. If you do need water outside over the colder months, as much as I am not a proponent of as-seen-on-TV gadgets, one of those "Pocket Hoses" they used to sell would actually be an excellent choice. Many people have had them and many people have had them burst and fail. But, if used occasionally, for very light-duty work, and drained and put away out of the elements immediately after use, they can last for years.

Do you have a pressure washer that you used this year? Often times, the pumps in them can fail if water is left in them over the winter. Take a minute and blow that out too.

You will be rewarded with a job well done, and a job done right, since you did it yourself. Not to mention, quite a few extra bucks in your pocket!