Why leave the drain plug off or partially threaded?

If the main shut-off is weeping, water drains out through the plug instead of back into the system. Check again in 24–72 hours; if it’s still dripping the shut-off should be replaced.

Sprinkler Winterization & Blowouts in Harrison Township, MI

Call 313-349-1300 Text Me Schedule Online

Harrison Township is all about water—Lake St. Clair, Clinton River, and canal homes off Jefferson, Crocker, North/South River Rd, and Metro Pkwy (16 Mile). I winterize both city-water systems and lake/pump setups. My method is consistent: 50–60 PSI with high CFM, short passes per zone, and I leave the drain plug off or partially threaded so any weeping main shut-off drains out instead of back into the system.

Pricing

City Water — Cash/Check/Zelle

8z $75 • 10z $85 • 12z $95 • 14z $105 • 16z $115 • 18z $125 • 20z $135 • 22z $145

City Water — Online Payment

8z $85 • 10z $95 • 12z $105 • 14z $115 • 16z $125 • 18z $135 • 20z $145 • 22z $155

Pump/Lake/Well — Cash/Check/Zelle

10z $125 • 12z $135 • 14z $145 • 16z $155 • 18z $165 • 20z $175 • 22z $185 • 24z $195

Pump/Lake/Well — Online Payment

10z $135 • 12z $145 • 14z $155 • 16z $165 • 18z $175 • 20z $185 • 22z $195

Add-on (when required): Pull & disconnect intake pipe from the water: $125 (flat for that task).

How I Winterize (My Method)

Shut off & inspect — close the irrigation supply, check the backflow, find drains/low points, confirm zone order.
Hook up safely — connect downstream of the backflow and run 50–60 PSI with high CFM. Volume moves the water safely—no need to exceed this range.
Zone-by-zone passes — start farthest, 60–120 seconds until fine mist; pause between zones so parts don’t overheat.
Backflow & drains — purge test cocks; open manual drains; leave the drain plug off or partially threaded so any weeping shut-off drains out.
Controller — City-water controllers can stay ON. For pump/lake/well systems I disable pump-start so the pump can’t run dry.
Winterizing Report — I leave a paper Sprinkler Winterizing Report and text notes. I note possible issues (heads/lines that look off, timer/date/time oddities, visible valve/backflow concerns), but because we run air and not pressurized water, not every issue presents in winter. Spring start-up is the time to fully test and fix.

Lake & Pump Notes (Harrison Township)

Pump protection: pump-start disabled; I make sure the pump can’t run dry during/after the blowout.
Intake handling: if the intake must be pulled & disconnected from the lake/canal, that’s the $125 add-on.
Drain checks: after shut-down, check the drain area in 24–72 hours. If it’s dripping, your main shut-off is weeping and should be replaced.

Local Notes for Harrison Township

Corridors/areas: Jefferson Ave, Crocker Blvd, North/South River Rd, Metro Parkway (16 Mile), Clinton River, Lake St. Clair Metropark.
ZIP served: 48045.

FAQs

Do I have to be home?

Not required if the backflow/valves are accessible and I have gate access. I’ll text on my way, leave the paper report, and may need brief timer access.

Controller on or off after a blowout?

For city-water, it can stay ON. If residual water trickles toward a valve while a program opens, it may help gravity-drain. For pump/lake/well, I disable pump-start so the pump can’t run dry.

What PSI/CFM do you use?

50–60 PSI with high CFM. Volume clears lines safely—no need to exceed that range.

Why is the drain plug left off or partially threaded?

If the main shut-off weeps, water drains out through the plug instead of back into the system. Check in 24–72 hours; if it’s still dripping, the shut-off should be replaced.

Can I winterize with a small electric compressor?

Not recommended. It’s CFM (air volume), not high PSI, that clears lines quickly and safely. Small electrics usually lack the volume.