How to Keep the Sprinkler Pipes in a Yard From Bursting

Find the sprinkler manifold control box. The box is usually located along the side of the house and has a green or purple lid.

Turn off the main water line to the sprinkler system. The main ball valve that controls the sprinkler line is usually located inside the house, in a basement or crawl space. It is typically near the main water line shutoff valve for the entire house.

Locate the drain valve on the manifold. The valve is located along the bottom or end of the manifold assembly.

Remove the cap on the drain valve using an adjustable wrench and allow the water to run out of the pipes. Since the manifold is the lowest point on the irrigation system, the water from the supply lines will drain out. You do not need to remove all of the water. Instead, you are creating room for any remaining water to expand when frozen.

Twist off the small brass drain plug on the bottom of the pressure vacuum breaker using an adjustable wrench. When the plus is removed, water inside the breaker will drain out of the device, preventing the breaker from cracking over the winter. Once the water is drained, replace the plug.

Turn both of the ball valves on the pressure vacuum breaker so that they sit at 45-degree angles. This will allow any remaining water to move between the valves without breaking them.

Leave the water to the sprinklers off for the entire time that there is the threat of a deep freeze.