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#1
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
Last week I blew out my sprinklers. I borrowed a compressor from a
friend. Then today while trying to hook up my hose to wash my car, I accidentally hit the gate valve to my sprinkler feed line and a little water got in to the PVC line that goes from my hose bib to the sprinkler manifold under my deck. I was thinking if I poured a little antifreeze into the line it would prevent any freezing from whatever little water got in there. Any drawbacks to doing this? (I have since removed the gate handle so it will not happen again). |
#2
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
"Mikepier" wrote in message ... Last week I blew out my sprinklers. I borrowed a compressor from a friend. Then today while trying to hook up my hose to wash my car, I accidentally hit the gate valve to my sprinkler feed line and a little water got in to the PVC line that goes from my hose bib to the sprinkler manifold under my deck. I was thinking if I poured a little antifreeze into the line it would prevent any freezing from whatever little water got in there. Any drawbacks to doing this? (I have since removed the gate handle so it will not happen again). How would you get the antifreeze out in the spring? |
#3
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
better blow it again. the smallest amount of water will pool in a low spot,
and if that's not 24" or better underground, it's gonna freeze and break pvc. Pouring antifreeze in there will probably just push the water further downline. s "Mikepier" wrote in message ... Last week I blew out my sprinklers. I borrowed a compressor from a friend. Then today while trying to hook up my hose to wash my car, I accidentally hit the gate valve to my sprinkler feed line and a little water got in to the PVC line that goes from my hose bib to the sprinkler manifold under my deck. I was thinking if I poured a little antifreeze into the line it would prevent any freezing from whatever little water got in there. Any drawbacks to doing this? (I have since removed the gate handle so it will not happen again). |
#4
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
turn the water on. it'll blow out the sprinkler heads. duh.
s "John Grabowski" wrote in message ... "Mikepier" wrote in message ... Last week I blew out my sprinklers. I borrowed a compressor from a friend. Then today while trying to hook up my hose to wash my car, I accidentally hit the gate valve to my sprinkler feed line and a little water got in to the PVC line that goes from my hose bib to the sprinkler manifold under my deck. I was thinking if I poured a little antifreeze into the line it would prevent any freezing from whatever little water got in there. Any drawbacks to doing this? (I have since removed the gate handle so it will not happen again). How would you get the antifreeze out in the spring? |
#5
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
On Nov 1, 4:19*pm, Mikepier wrote:
Last week I blew out my sprinklers. I borrowed a compressor from a friend. Then today while trying to hook up my hose to wash my car, I accidentally hit the gate valve to my sprinkler feed line and a little water got in to the PVC line that goes from my hose bib to the sprinkler manifold under my deck. *I was thinking if I poured a little antifreeze into the line it would prevent any freezing from whatever little water got in there. Any drawbacks to doing this? (I have since removed the gate handle so it will not happen again). BTDT........had the same thing happen in another situation where someone "re-hotted" my blown out sprinkler line. I considered the antifreeze solution but I just bit the bullet and the did the compressor thing again because I didn't want to be blowing antifreeze on my lawn / shrubs in the spring. I also removed the handle so the mistake was less likely. Tell your friend what happened...I'm sure he'll be happy to help you out. cheers Bob |
#6
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
Mikepier wrote:
Last week I blew out my sprinklers. I borrowed a compressor from a friend. Then today while trying to hook up my hose to wash my car, I accidentally hit the gate valve to my sprinkler feed line and a little water got in to the PVC line that goes from my hose bib to the sprinkler manifold under my deck. I was thinking if I poured a little antifreeze into the line it would prevent any freezing from whatever little water got in there. Any drawbacks to doing this? (I have since removed the gate handle so it will not happen again). I think you'd better check out the following: http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF6/680.html Here's an excerpt: "The freezing point of an anti-freeze/coolant solution depends on the concentration of the solution, and rises when the ratio of antifreeze to water exceeds 60%. . . . ethylene glycol, the principal component of most antifreezes, freezes at 8 degrees above zero, Fahrenheit. It is only when water is added that the freezing point is depressed." |
#7
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
ethylene glycol is a really good plant killer too (and nothing
usually regrows where it has been spilt) so would you really want to flush it out later by turning the sprinklers on? -- Regards Blue Remove ZX from email address to reply directly. |
#8
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
Google "ethylene glycol weedkiller"
-- Regards Blue Remove ZX from email address to reply directly. |
#9
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
just flat not true. i've been flushing cooling systems on grass for years
and never killed any yet. s "aussiblu" wrote in message ... ethylene glycol is a really good plant killer too (and nothing usually regrows where it has been spilt) so would you really want to flush it out later by turning the sprinklers on? -- Regards Blue Remove ZX from email address to reply directly. |
#10
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
Strange; the grass has refused to grow back where I spilt some
from my car on my lawn. It will of course depend on if the coolant contains ethylene glycol or propylene glycol; the latter is safer. -- Regards Blue Remove ZX from email address to reply directly. |
#11
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
"aussiblu" wrote in news:AF7Pk.10256$sc2.5800
@news-server.bigpond.net.au: Strange; the grass has refused to grow back where I spilt some from my car on my lawn. It will of course depend on if the coolant contains ethylene glycol or propylene glycol; the latter is safer. Not privy to it but don't they make some kind of non-toxic antifreeze for RV's or something? |
#12
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
aussiblu wrote:
Strange; the grass has refused to grow back where I spilt some from my car on my lawn. It will of course depend on if the coolant contains ethylene glycol or propylene glycol; the latter is safer. Good to know. I'll look for ethylene glycol to spray on area where there is poison ivy. Dick |
#13
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
On Nov 2, 3:59*am, buffalobill wrote:
On Nov 1, 6:19*pm, Mikepier wrote: Last week I blew out my sprinklers. I borrowed a compressor from a friend. Then today while trying to hook up my hose to wash my car, I accidentally hit the gate valve to my sprinkler feed line and a little water got in to the PVC line that goes from my hose bib to the sprinkler manifold under my deck. *I was thinking if I poured a little antifreeze into the line it would prevent any freezing from whatever little water got in there. Any drawbacks to doing this? (I have since removed the gate handle so it will not happen again). best to always try to keep water lines clean of impurities. *if there's ever a drop in the main water pressure from the street, a contaminant becomes a cross feed problem to those in your home and potentially your neighbors. *i'd choose air over the recreational vehicle non-toxic antifreeze. never the toxic stuff. -b I have some old vodka lying in the basement. That's safe. |
#14
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
"buffalobill" wrote in message ... On Nov 1, 6:19 pm, Mikepier wrote: Last week I blew out my sprinklers. I borrowed a compressor from a friend. Then today while trying to hook up my hose to wash my car, I accidentally hit the gate valve to my sprinkler feed line and a little water got in to the PVC line that goes from my hose bib to the sprinkler manifold under my deck. I was thinking if I poured a little antifreeze into the line it would prevent any freezing from whatever little water got in there. Any drawbacks to doing this? (I have since removed the gate handle so it will not happen again). best to always try to keep water lines clean of impurities. if there's ever a drop in the main water pressure from the street, a contaminant becomes a cross feed problem to those in your home and potentially your neighbors. i'd choose air over the recreational vehicle non-toxic antifreeze. never the toxic stuff. ************************************************** ********** Sprinkler systems must be designed to avoid this problem anyway. Otherwise, they can draw groundwater into the city water pipes if the water pressure is shut off for repairs. |
#15
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
Dick Adams wrote:
aussiblu wrote: Strange; the grass has refused to grow back where I spilt some from my car on my lawn. It will of course depend on if the coolant contains ethylene glycol or propylene glycol; the latter is safer. Good to know. I'll look for ethylene glycol to spray on area where there is poison ivy. Just use roundup poison ivy killer. Works a treat and doesn't have every kid in the neighborhood in tears because her pussycat died horribly. -- -- --John to email, dial "usenet" and validate (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net) |
#16
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
yes, and that's what would be proper for a sprinkler system anyway.
Everyone jumped to wrong conclusions as usual. (and they were wrong about it, at that) s "Red Green" wrote in message ... "aussiblu" wrote in news:AF7Pk.10256$sc2.5800 @news-server.bigpond.net.au: Strange; the grass has refused to grow back where I spilt some from my car on my lawn. It will of course depend on if the coolant contains ethylene glycol or propylene glycol; the latter is safer. Not privy to it but don't they make some kind of non-toxic antifreeze for RV's or something? |
#17
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
try round up or brush killer. but you'll have to keep after it several
times for a whole season. s "Dick Adams" wrote in message ... aussiblu wrote: Strange; the grass has refused to grow back where I spilt some from my car on my lawn. It will of course depend on if the coolant contains ethylene glycol or propylene glycol; the latter is safer. Good to know. I'll look for ethylene glycol to spray on area where there is poison ivy. Dick |
#18
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
a proper system will have an anti backflow valve on it. AND the situation
is more of a long shot that getting hit by lightning in a church anyway. s "buffalobill" wrote in message ... On Nov 1, 6:19 pm, Mikepier wrote: Last week I blew out my sprinklers. I borrowed a compressor from a friend. Then today while trying to hook up my hose to wash my car, I accidentally hit the gate valve to my sprinkler feed line and a little water got in to the PVC line that goes from my hose bib to the sprinkler manifold under my deck. I was thinking if I poured a little antifreeze into the line it would prevent any freezing from whatever little water got in there. Any drawbacks to doing this? (I have since removed the gate handle so it will not happen again). best to always try to keep water lines clean of impurities. if there's ever a drop in the main water pressure from the street, a contaminant becomes a cross feed problem to those in your home and potentially your neighbors. i'd choose air over the recreational vehicle non-toxic antifreeze. never the toxic stuff. -b |
#19
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
"Steve Barker DLT" wrote in message ... turn the water on. it'll blow out the sprinkler heads. duh. Well that's obvious, but I thought that blowing antifreeze all over the lawn was not good for the environment as well as the grass. s "John Grabowski" wrote in message ... "Mikepier" wrote in message ... Last week I blew out my sprinklers. I borrowed a compressor from a friend. Then today while trying to hook up my hose to wash my car, I accidentally hit the gate valve to my sprinkler feed line and a little water got in to the PVC line that goes from my hose bib to the sprinkler manifold under my deck. I was thinking if I poured a little antifreeze into the line it would prevent any freezing from whatever little water got in there. Any drawbacks to doing this? (I have since removed the gate handle so it will not happen again). How would you get the antifreeze out in the spring? |
#20
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
On Nov 2, 10:17*am, "John Grabowski" wrote:
"Steve Barker DLT" wrote in messagenews:OIidnXoOcLUUd5HUnZ2dnUVZ_oninZ2d@gigan ews.com... turn the water on. *it'll blow out the sprinkler heads. *duh. Well that's obvious, but I thought that blowing antifreeze all over the lawn was not good for the environment as well as the grass. When I say add antifreeze, I'm only talking like 1/2 cup. Diluted with the water already in there, which is no more than 1/2 cup, I thought it would be ok |
#21
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
"Mikepier" wrote in message ... On Nov 2, 10:17 am, "John Grabowski" wrote: "Steve Barker DLT" wrote in messagenews:OIidnXoOcLUUd5HUnZ2dnUVZ_oninZ2d@gigan ews.com... turn the water on. it'll blow out the sprinkler heads. duh. Well that's obvious, but I thought that blowing antifreeze all over the lawn was not good for the environment as well as the grass. When I say add antifreeze, I'm only talking like 1/2 cup. Diluted with the water already in there, which is no more than 1/2 cup, I thought it would be ok Suppose 1% of the inground sprinkler owners in your state thought the same way. How much antifreeze would wind up in storm sewers and ultimately in rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, etc.? |
#22
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
On Nov 2, 1:11*pm, "John Grabowski" wrote:
"Mikepier" wrote in message ... On Nov 2, 10:17 am, "John Grabowski" wrote: "Steve Barker DLT" wrote in messagenews:OIidnXoOcLUUd5HUnZ2dnUVZ_oninZ2d@gigan ews.com... turn the water on. it'll blow out the sprinkler heads. duh. Well that's obvious, but I thought that blowing antifreeze all over the lawn was not good for the environment as well as the grass. When I say add antifreeze, I'm only talking like 1/2 cup. Diluted with the water already in there, which is no more than 1/2 cup, I thought it would be ok Suppose 1% of the inground sprinkler owners in your state thought the same way. *How much antifreeze would wind up in storm sewers and ultimately in rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, etc.? Again, going back to the other poster, this is the non-toxic stuff. |
#23
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
"Mikepier" wrote in message ... On Nov 2, 1:11 pm, "John Grabowski" wrote: "Mikepier" wrote in message ... On Nov 2, 10:17 am, "John Grabowski" wrote: "Steve Barker DLT" wrote in messagenews:OIidnXoOcLUUd5HUnZ2dnUVZ_oninZ2d@gigan ews.com... turn the water on. it'll blow out the sprinkler heads. duh. Well that's obvious, but I thought that blowing antifreeze all over the lawn was not good for the environment as well as the grass. When I say add antifreeze, I'm only talking like 1/2 cup. Diluted with the water already in there, which is no more than 1/2 cup, I thought it would be ok Suppose 1% of the inground sprinkler owners in your state thought the same way. How much antifreeze would wind up in storm sewers and ultimately in rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, etc.? Again, going back to the other poster, this is the non-toxic stuff. I'm sorry, but I am not familiar with all of the components and processes that go into the manufacturing of antifreeze. I did not know that there was a type that is environmentally friendly. I understand your pain though. I would hate to have to pay the landscaping company to come back again and blow out the lines around my place. |
#24
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
Well IF he put antifreeze in there it surely would be the pink rv stuff that
is totally harmless. AND even IF it were the automotive stuff, 15 million cups of the stuff diluted the way we're talking about would be harmless also. s "John Grabowski" wrote in message ... Well that's obvious, but I thought that blowing antifreeze all over the lawn was not good for the environment as well as the grass. |
#25
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
I just had an idea. Since this is only a 3/4" PVC about 30 feet long
with the other end open under my deck, I think I can get away with using a nail gun compressor. It 6 gal. It should be enough volume to push out whatever is in there. |
#26
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
Mikepier wrote:
Last week I blew out my sprinklers. I borrowed a compressor from a friend. Then today while trying to hook up my hose to wash my car, I accidentally hit the gate valve to my sprinkler feed line and a little water got in to the PVC line that goes from my hose bib to the sprinkler manifold under my deck. I was thinking if I poured a little antifreeze into the line it would prevent any freezing from whatever little water got in there. Any drawbacks to doing this? (I have since removed the gate handle so it will not happen again). I ran propylene glycol into my rather extensive system of drippers. If it does damage I'll have a dead blueberry field. Let's hope that next spring I don't have a disaster. In prior years I haven't noticed any damage to the weeds growing under my boats from propylene glycol. Boden |
#27
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
replying to Erma1ina, Roger wrote:
Propylene glycol is non toxic. Used in RVs pipes too. If you ingest a small amount, no problems. -- for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...ne-339669-.htm |
#28
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Adding a little antifreeze to sprinkler line.
On Sunday, 2 November 2008 11:11:21 UTC-7, John Grabowski wrote:
"Mikepier" wrote in message ... On Nov 2, 10:17 am, "John Grabowski" wrote: "Steve Barker DLT" wrote in messagenews:OIidnXoOcLUUd5HUnZ2dnUVZ_oninZ2d@gigan ews.com... turn the water on. it'll blow out the sprinkler heads. duh. Well that's obvious, but I thought that blowing antifreeze all over the lawn was not good for the environment as well as the grass. When I say add antifreeze, I'm only talking like 1/2 cup. Diluted with the water already in there, which is no more than 1/2 cup, I thought it would be ok Suppose 1% of the inground sprinkler owners in your state thought the same way. How much antifreeze would wind up in storm sewers and ultimately in rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, etc.? Hey John, wondering where you think the billions of litres/gallons of windshield wiper antifreeze from all of the cars ends up? I know that mine just runs onto the ground. Apparently nobody thinks this is a problem so I can't see why it would be an issue to put it in your underground sprinkler pipes. Just sayin. I am talking about non-toxic RV antifreeze. |
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