Elmwood Lateral has shut down the ditch water for the season.
The following information is available on our website:
CRITICAL: After the HOA irrigation water has been turned OFF and the underground system allowed to drain (approx. 24 hrs.) each homeowner must OPEN their main supply valve in order to drain any residual water out of the internal components of their valve.
Water trapped in the valve WILL FREEZE and expand which will cause the valve body to crack. In most cases, this will not be apparent until Spring startup when the cracked valve fails catastrophically and the entire HOA system must be turned off in order for the Homeowner to conduct the repair.
Each Homeowner should have their irrigation system drained and blown out with compressed air in order to prevent the freezing and rupture of their lines, valves, and sprinkler heads.
Several companies in the Grand Valley provide this service. Please schedule them ahead of time because they are very busy during shutdown time and a freeze may occur before they can service your system.
A homeowner may choose to do his/her own system blow out. Most home air compressors can provide enough pressure (~30-70 PSI), however, many cannot provide the volume of air (CFM) required to completely remove the water. CFM requirements are dependent on individual zone demand. All zones including those not in use must be blown out.
If you cannot get your irrigation system blown out before we experience freezing temperatures, see info below….
Close your main valve. Depending on how cold and for how long the temperature remains below freezing, you may need to take additional precautions to prevent the main valve and standpipe from freezing. Many times, a blanket and/or a heavy cardboard box to trap the ground heat in with the main valve will suffice. For additional protection, wrap an electric heating pad snugly around the main valve and protect it from wetness. It ONLY needs to keep the main valve and standpipe above freezing; so the warm or medium setting should be more than plenty.
Open all of the downstream valves and spigots in your system. This will help drain as much water as possible. The idea is to drain the water out of all the above-ground plumbing. Underground valves and lines should be OK provided the ground does not freeze deep.
Remove your primary and secondary sediment screens. Screens in individual sprinkler heads do not necessarily need to be removed unless your sprinkler manufacturer advises doing so.
Drain your pump housing. There will be at least 1 but likely 2 pipe plugs or drain valves on your pump housing. Remove or open these and allow the water to drain out. Once drained, replace/close the plugs or keep them out until the system is blown out.
Remember to OPEN your main valve after the HOA water is off and drained.
