Install A Lateral Drain To Prevent Freeze Damage

This article explains the importance of having a lateral drain for your sprinkler system. You’re tired of blowing out your sprinkler system each year in preparation for the cold. You wait and wait for the day when the temperature dips below freezing to validate the hard work you did to purge every last drop of H2O from the myriad of pipes and elbows and rotor heads.

If you live in a part of the country where freezing pipes are a primary concern, then there is one simple device you can install in just minutes that will always be watching over your pipes and protecting them from damage year-round. What is the name of this oh-so-valuable part? It’s called a lateral drain!

How Does A Lateral Drain Work In An Irrigation System?

Lateral drains (sometimes referred to as freeze drains) are a very simple device that does not require any electricity, maintenance, or attention on your part to work. Simply install them and forget about them! Each drain works using a one-way valve that stays open when there is no pressure in the system, and it closes itself whenever there is water in the pipes. The primary benefit of the automatic drain is that it will allow the water that remains in your pipes after shutting off the sprinklers to have an easy path out of the pipe.

Why Do Pipes Break In The Winter?

Broken pipes occur when the water inside your pipes reaches a freezing temperature and expands as it turns to ice. Without anywhere to go when it expands the ice will force its way out of the pipe either by splitting the pipe or breaking a valve or rotor or worst of all a backflow preventer!

You can purchase automatic drains in a variety of styles, but each uses the same primary design to allow the leftover water to pass through them. Some drains use a spring to control flow while others use a loose metal ball inside the device that moves out of the way to let water by.

Sprinkler Warehouse carries a full selection of backflow winterization valves at low prices!

Also Shop Lateral Line Drains & Automatic Drains