NJ Lawns Community

Hey all, been blowing out my own sprinklers for probably 8-9 years now using a shop vac and the quick-connect method. Never had a problem, drain the lines each fall, store the heads, all good. Anyway, my neighbor (he's a licensed plumber) was over last week and saw me doing it and basically told me I've been doing it completely wrong this whole time. He said I need to use compressed air and that just blowing through the heads isn't adequate and could cause damage over time. I'm pretty sure I've been fine - never had a burst pipe or anything. Who's right here? For context I've got a pretty standard residential system, 6 zones, mostly Rain Bird stuff from back when I installed it. Located in Ridgewood area if that matters.

Honestly I've always just used the manual drain valve method and haven't had issues either. That said, my buddy over in Glen Rock uses an air compressor every fall and swears by it. He's got a larger system though with more zones. I'd take your plumber neighbor's advice with a grain of salt though - plumbing and irrigation are different trades. Not saying he's wrong, just saying it's a different animal.

Oof, this is one of those topics that can get heated fast. Here's the thing - both methods can work, but it's really system dependent. If you've got manual drain valves at every zone and your system was properly installed with slopes for drainage, the shop vac method is honestly fine for most residential setups. Where I get concerned is when people don't have proper drains and try to rely solely on air blowout. But if it's worked for you for nearly a decade, I'd say you're probably okay. That said, your neighbor isn't totally off base either - compressed air gets ALL the water out whereas a shop vac might leave some residual. Might be worth at least getting a pressure test done in spring to make sure.

@IrrigationIvan makes a good point. I'd also add that timing matters up here in Bergen County - you really want to get it done by late October before we get those unpredictable early freezes. I've seen guys wait too long and then wonder why they have cracked pipes come spring. On a related note, anyone know a decent place to rent a compressor locally? The one I used to use in Paramusclosed down. Looking around Hackensack area if anyone has a lead.

@WeedWarrior - yeah I've got the drain valves and the system does slope away from the house. Good to know I'm not completely crazy lol. @IrrigationIvan - maybe I should get someone out next spring to do a proper check before I fire it up. Just hate paying for something I've been handling myself. We have a compressor rental place on Route 4 I think - let me dig up the name when I get home, might be what you're looking for.

Quick update - I'd strongly recommend giving Sprinkler Systems Inc in Garfield a call. They've got compressors specifically sized for residential irrigation blowout, and Dan there won't upsell you on things you don't need. Also fair warning, if your neighbor the plumber keeps pushingcompressed air, just ask him to show you his irrigation certification. No offense to plumbers but it's a whole different knowledge set - I've seen way too many 'experts' mess up systems because they treatsprinklers like water lines. Not the same thing at all.