Controller on or off after winterizing?

For city-water you can leave it ON; for pump/well I disable pump-start so the pump can’t run dry.

What PSI/CFM do you use?

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

Why is the drain plug left off or partially threaded?

If the main shut-off is weeping, water drains out through the plug rather than back into the system. Check again in 24–72 hours.

Sprinkler Winterization & Blowouts in Livonia, MI

Call 248-290-9330 Text Me Schedule Online

I winterize across Livonia—near Schoolcraft (I-96), Plymouth Rd, 5–7 Mile, Farmington, Merriman, Middlebelt, and the Hines Park corridor. Clay soils and mixed-age systems are common, so I keep it safe: 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 your system.

Pricing

How I Winterize

Shut off & inspect — supply/backflow, drains/low points, zone order.
50–60 PSI + high CFM downstream of the backflow; volume moves the water safely.
Short passes per zone until fine mist; pause between zones.
Backflow & drains — purge test cocks; leave the drain plug off or partially threaded so any weeping shut-off drains out.
Controller — City-water can stay ON; pump/well gets pump-start disabled.
Report — Paper Sprinkler Winterizing Report + text notes; check the drain in 24–72 hours.

Local Notes for Livonia

Corridors: I-96/Schoolcraft, Plymouth Rd, 5–7 Mile, Farmington, Merriman, Middlebelt, Hines Park.
ZIPs: 48150, 48152, 48154.

FAQs

Controller on or off?

For city-water, it can stay ON. For pump/well, I disable pump-start so the pump can’t run dry.

What PSI/CFM?

50–60 PSI with high CFM—volume moves the water safely.

Why leave the drain plug loose?

So a weeping main shut-off drains out instead of back into the system. Check again in 24–72 hours.