Question
I have a Toro ECx system which was already installed when we purchased the home.  Most sites (including Toro's) state to follow the winterizing instructions from the timer manual.  The manual I have has no winterizing section (print date 1996).  

Also when I researched online how to winterize the system I got a couple different procedures to follow.  One included activating each zone with the water supply off.  Another said to drain manually at in-line drain valve and blow out the system with compressed air.  

Can I vacuum the system, say with my shop-vac?

All that said, Can you help me with this project?

Thanks,
Jeff  

Answer
Hey Jeff, all systems are going to have a different way to winterize them. Some companies put in automatic drains, or manual drains, and some don't install drains at all. Your best bet would be to find your main turn on/off valve (vacuum breaker) and see if you have a test cock or pit cock on the vacuum breaker. Once you turn off the main valve, you will want to hook an air compressor up to the pit cock and turn on the pit cock and let the air compressor build up pressure. Then at the controller, you will want to run each zone individually. When you turn the zone(valve) on, wait until all the water is out of the heads, and all you hear is air through the heads. Then go to the next zone, let the pressure build up, and then turn this zone on. Repeat until all the zones have been done. Sometimes you need to turn the zones on more than one time, to get all the air out of the system. I have never heard of anyone using a shop vac to suck the water out, I'm not sure if this would work or not. Good luck and have a great day.