How to Winterize Your Fog System

When temperatures drop, there are many things to consider in maintaining the integrity of your outdoor misting system. Preparing your system for winter can prevent unnecessary damage, so make sure to do so before temperatures drop below freezing.

Winterizing a misting system essentially involves removing excess water and restrictions that may cause freezing water to damage the pump and tubing. The most important aspects of winterization are draining the line, removing the nozzles, and removing the filter.

Fog System Winterization Process

The following steps are in addition to the three mentioned above to provide the most effective solution:

1. Turn off the water supply to the pump.
2. Remove the inlet and outlet tubing from the pump.
3. Remove the thermal relief valve from the pump plumbing.
4. Disconnect the bypass hose from the bottom barb fitting on the pump’s inlet plumbing.
5. Turn on the mist pump.
   • If a low-water safety switch is not included on the pump build, the motor will run and sufficiently empty the bare pump of any excess water within a few seconds.
   • If the pump has a low-water safety switch, the motor will not run because the water supply has been turned off. The inlet solenoid valve, however, will be open and will allow the bare pump to be purged of any excess water by forcing compressed air into the pump’s inlet and outlet ports until no water is left in the pump. This should only take a few seconds.
   • If no compressed air is available, rotate the pulleys on a pulley drive pump or rotate the fan on the rear of the motor on a direct drive pump. Either of these steps will remove excess water from the bare pump.
6. Turn the pump off.
7. Remove the nozzles and drain valve(s) from the mist line.
8. Using compressed air, blow out the mist lines until no water exists in any open ports.
   • If no compressed air is available, rotate the pulleys on a pulley drive pump or rotate the fan on the rear of the motor on a direct drive pump. Either of these steps will remove excess water from the bare pump.
9. Store the nozzles and drain valve(s) in a dry location until the next season. Soaking the nozzles in heated nozzle cleaner before reinstalling will usually improve the performance of the misting nozzles.
10. Disconnect the water supply from the filter canister and completely empty the canister. Use compressed air and blow out the feed line between the filter and the pump.

At the start of the next summer season, simply connect all the tubing, insert the nozzles and a new filter, and continue enjoying the cooling effects of your misting system as the weather heats up!