As winter sets in, it’s time to start preparing the irrigation system. Many of these systems include centrifugal irrigation pumps, which require special care to avoid costly damage from freezing temperatures.
Proper winterization is essential to protect your investment and ensure smooth operations when spring arrives. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to irrigation system maintenance, these steps will help you winterize pumps effectively.
The first step in winterizing a pump is to shut off its power. Typically, this is done at a breaker or the pump relay. The irrigation controller should remain active to operate valves for system blowouts, but the pump itself must stay off.
Disconnect the suction line and take it out of the water source, such as a lake or pond. Remove the intake filter, clean it thoroughly, and store it safely for the winter.
Components like transducers, temperature sensors, and pressure sensors must be disconnected. At a minimum, remove all water from these devices, and store them in a location where they won’t freeze.
Additionally, disconnect the pump from the discharge line to isolate it for blowout winterization. (Important: Never perform a blowout through the pump itself!)
Open both the top and bottom drain valves on the pump to remove all water from the impeller chamber.
Once the pump case is empty, close all drain valves to secure the system.
To prevent internal damage, fill the pump case with a specialized fluid like Munro Freeze Defeat Winterization Fluid. Add the fluid until it’s just past the eye of the impeller.
Munro Freeze Defeat offers reliable protection for centrifugal pumps:
Winterizing other types of pumps or pump stations may require additional steps. If you have questions, call the Ewing Pump Hotline at 1-844-PUMP-PRO for expert guidance.
Taking the time to winterize your irrigation pump properly ensures it will be ready to perform efficiently when the warmer months return. Don’t skip these critical steps—protect your equipment and avoid unnecessary expenses!