These are two of the most critical parts of the sprinkler system that you do not want to freeze.
Your system may have one or the other, or something else a little similar. These are safety devices called backflow preventers. They protect your drinking water from getting contaminated. They are also very expensive to replace when they crack from freeze damage. And when the ice thaws out, water can then continuously run out of the broken components and possibly flood your home or basement. Please be careful and either drain your sprinkler system at night during the spring, or heavily wrap these and any exposed above ground pipes and valves with heavy blankets or insulation. Freezing water will expand and crack any exposed copper, brass, galvanized steel, PVC or any other pipe or parts.
Your system may have one or the other, or something else a little similar. These are safety devices called backflow preventers. They protect your drinking water from getting contaminated. They are also very expensive to replace when they crack from freeze damage. And when the ice thaws out, water can then continuously run out of the broken components and possibly flood your home or basement. Please be careful and either drain your sprinkler system at night during the spring, or heavily wrap these and any exposed above ground pipes and valves with heavy blankets or insulation. Freezing water will expand and crack any exposed copper, brass, galvanized steel, PVC or any other pipe or parts.
