For year-round maintenance of your Raindrip System, just once or twice a year take a few minutes to do the following:  

• Remove the end caps or closures on your system and flush each circuit until the water runs clear.  

• Where your system connects to the water source, clean the filter screens and visually check for leaks.

Winterizing Your System

If you live in an area that has freezing temperatures and/or hard frosts it will be necessary for you to completely drain your drip system to prevent the lines and other parts that contain water from being damaged or splitting. Do this prior to the first frost or freeze.

To drain your system:  

• Open the ends of all of your 1/2” or larger polyethylene tubing and disconnect the tubing from the water faucet or valve. The tubing and the emitters can be left out for the winter, but the system must be drained.  

• Allow gravity to drain all of the water out of all of the tubing - you can assist gravity by lifting the lines at the mid-point to help the water drain out. If gravity does not do a complete job, you may wish to have a professional use low pressure compressed air (no more than 30 PSI) to “blow out” the system. Note that if there is a little water left in the lines, the system will be OK. The polyethylene tubing is more flexible and forgiving than hard lines such as PVC or metal piping.  

• When you are satisfied that the lines have been drained, we recommend closing off all the open ends of the lines to keep them free of debris and insects and make Spring start-up easier for you.  

• Finally, remove the hook up parts (where your drip system connects to the water source at the valve or faucet), including your battery-operated Electronic Timer and the Y Filter, if you have them. If you use a time, remove the batteries.

• Your system is now ready for winter.

Pre-Season Spring Check-Up

Once you are sure that the danger of frost and freezing conditions is over, it is always a good idea to check your system prior to the new season.

Checking Your System:  

• Begin by replacing any system components you may have removed when preparing your system for winter, such as the Y Filter and Electronic Timer. If you are using battery-operated timers, replace the batteries.

• Infusing water into your drip system and flush until the water runs clean to be certain no dirt or other debris has made its way into the lines during the winter hibernation.

• Give the entire system a test run, checking for any leaks or damaged tubing. You may be able to stop any leaks in the 1/2” or larger tubing using a hole plug. If the hole is too big for a hole plug, or the leak is in the 1/4” tubing, then merely cut out the bad section and rejoin the tubing with a straight connector. If the repair section is too long for one connector, then put in a new section of tubing using two straight connectors.

• Check the drippers, sprinkler/sprayers, and misters. Replace any that may not be working.

If you see a build-up of calcium or lime deposits in your parts, you may be able to remove it up by soaking the parts in vinegar or other stronger products. Be cautious with the stronger types of solutions. Wear protective eye wear and gloves and always follow the label instructions.

Your pre-season system check is now complete.