Backflow Winterizing

If you have a backflow in your basement inside, follow steps all of the steps except for #4 and #8.

If your backflow is outside above ground, follow all of the steps except for #5. Outside backflows are typically blown out, but you can attempt to do it yourself with the following instructions. 

If you are not comfortable with any of this, or don't want to risk it, I would recommend calling a blowout service company and setting up an appoitment to blow out the whole system.

1. Grab a cup or small bucket, a small flathead screw driver and some tape.

2. Go to the controller in the garage, twist the knob to RUN, and push the right arrow and hold it for 3 seconds until you see A:1 and a run time.

3. Go down to the basement and turn off the sprinkler shut-off valve (INSIDE BACKFLOW: just turn off the SUPPLY SIDE valve on the backflow itself), you should hear the water flowing and then stop. 

4. OUTSIDE BACKFLOW ONLY:

Wait a few seconds for the pressure to drop off, then grab your cup or bucket and open the small drain port thumbscrew, catch any drips with the cup. Tape the small cap to the handle so you don't lose it. There is also a little black rubber gasket inside the cap, don't lose that either.

5. INSIDE BACKFLOW ONLY:

Wait a few seconds for the pressure to drop off, then grab your cup or bucket and slowly turn the three small test ports with a flathead screwdriver until they are in-line with the port (90° turn from closed), catch any drips with the cup. DO NOT open the 4th test port as it is before the valve and always under pressure. The 4th port should have a cap, and the 3 ports to open should not.

6. Allow the controller to run through each zone for at least 5 minutes or so. (You can just run a full cycle and come back when it is done in a couple of hours, or the next day.)

7. Turn the controller back to OFF.

8. For outside backflows, go outside with a flathead screwdriver, and turn the two small test ports until they are in-line with the port (90° turn from closed), and remove and dispose of the yellow caps if they are there.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can try to force some air through the drain ports and or test ports of any of the backflows while the system is still running to introduce a little more air into the system. I have blown on them, used a bike pump, and an air compressor in the past.