A common irrigation valve location is near the corners of the house or main building, and/or just downstream of the backflow preventer. In most areas it is illegal to install underground irrigation valves without an approved backflow preventer. Probe the likely location to a depth of about six to twelve inches.
How to find buried irrigation valves?
Where are valves located?
How to trace sprinkler wires?
What is irrigation repair?
How to find valves in the ground?
How to locate valve solenoid?
Where are below ground valves located?
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Where are irrigation valves located?
A common irrigation valve location is near the corners of the house or main building, and/or just downstream of the backflow preventer. In most areas, it is illegal to install underground irrigation valves without an approved backflow preventer. Probe the likely location to a depth of about six to twelve inches.
How do I find my sprinkler master valve?
0:091:37How to Locate your Water Valve - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe customer service valve to the meter service is located in a round box just after the meter boxMoreThe customer service valve to the meter service is located in a round box just after the meter box fronting your property.
Do all irrigation systems have a master valve?
Master valves are a common component in most irrigation systems, but they are not always required. A master valve is an automatic valve that is installed at the point where the irrigation system connects to the water supply.
What is an irrigation control valve?
A water irrigation solenoid valve is an electrically controlled valve to regulate the flow of water. By applying a voltage over the coil, the valve opens and the liquid can flow through. Solenoid valves are also called electromagnetic valve, water valve, electric valve or electro valve.
How do I find a buried sprinkler valve with a metal detector?
If your pipes are metal, the metal detector won't tell you the location of the valve box, but it will tell you where the pipes are, so you can dig along the pipe to find the valve.
Can a metal detector find an irrigation valve?
A metal detector is unlikely to work because the valves are most likely to be plastic with very little metal in them. If you don't have any luck probing small low spots near the begining of the zone, it may require someone to do a wire trace for the valve.
How do you turn off a master sprinkler valve?
0:031:00How To Turn A Sprinkler System Off in 3 Simple Ways - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGot your meter box you'll just have to turn it 180 degrees right there that'll turn the system offMoreGot your meter box you'll just have to turn it 180 degrees right there that'll turn the system off completely until you can call your thing sprinkler tech thanks for watching bye.
How do I find my underground sprinkler pipe?
To locate the first pipe, dig near the valve boxes and areas close to the sprinkler heads. Once you unearth the first pipe, keep mapping your system. Use tape or spray paint to mark the rest of the pipe layout. You can dig again after 2–3 feet to confirm you are in the right direction.
Help! Where Are My Sprinkler Valves Located? - Instructables
The wiring schematic is shown in the picture. Usage Instructions: 1. turn off water to sprinkler system 2. connect valve across relay (24VAC systems) 3. turn on circuit by closing SPST switch 4. turn on sprinkler system and select valve that is connected to the circuit. 5. LED light on circuit will blink alternately. 6. relay will open and close one time per second.
Locating an Irrigation Valve with a Wire and Valve Locator
When buried irrigation valves need maintenance or replacement, they can be difficult to find. Whether in valve boxes or buried unprotected, their location can be covered by dirt or mulch, or overgrown by grass. If the original system diagram is lost, or the sprinklers were installed by a previous homeowner, you need a method of […]
How to Locate a Non-Working Sprinkler Valve - Home Guides
How to Locate a Non-Working Sprinkler Valve. Your garden sprinklers typically have multiple valves that control separate zones for watering accuracy. For example, the flowerbed uses one valve ...
How to determine the location of a lawn irrigation valve?
Another way to determine lawn irrigation system valve location is to check with the local city permits department. Often, the irrigation system permit application includes an irrigation blueprint, which should indicate the irrigation valve location.
How to locate sprinkler valves?
An alternative method of sprinkler system valve locating is to buy or rent a solenoid activator, or "chatter" locator. This device prompts a noise, or chatter, from the solenoid. It allows the user to locate irrigation valves by listening for the chatter.
How to test irrigation controller?
Ask a helper to tap the valve wire onto the test post on the irrigation controller. Test at five to ten second intervals. Listen for a faint click from the solenoid, or the sound of water as it starts rushing through the valve. Minimize background noise by testing at night or early in the morning.
What is a valve locator?
A valve locator consists of a transmitter, a receiver, two lead wires and a grounding stake. The valve locator transmits a beeping signal along the wire to locate irrigation valves. Using a valve locator is an accurate way to find lost valves without damage to the lawn or garden.
How to find buried irrigation valves?
In automatic irrigation systems, a third way to find lost valves is to follow the wires from the controller. The wires run alongside the PVC pipe to the irrigation valve location. Dig small holes every ten feet to trace the wire. Be careful not to cut the wire. It is helpful to note that buried irrigation valve wires rarely run under driveways. Sometimes this location method will find the buried lawn irrigation valves. Again, one can dig up a large portion of the lawn while trying to locate irrigation valves.
What are the components of a lawn irrigation system?
The basic components of a lawn irrigation system include the irrigation controller, pipes, irrigation heads, and the irrigation or sprinkler system valves. Irrigation valves control the flow of water to the irrigation system. Each valve is responsible for one area, or zone, of the lawn irrigation system.
What happens if you touch a sprinkler clip?
Touching the clips can result in serious injury or death. The controller, or timer, has several stations. Each station has a wire connecting to a different valve. Each valve is responsible for one zone of the sprinkler system. On the controller, find the wire leading to the desired zone valve.
Why does my irrigation valve stop working?
Inside the valve a diaphragm then opens that allows water to flow through the irrigation pipes. When the electric current is switched off, the diaphragm closes, shutting off the flow of water. A valve can malfunction or stop working for a number of reasons, including damage to the wires or solenoid, a cracked body, ruptured or worn gasket, ...
How does an irrigation system work?
The valves work by electricity, with wires leading from the irrigation controller to a solenoid on each valve. The controller sends an electric signal to the solenoid to turn on the valve. Inside the valve a diaphragm then opens that allows water to flow through the irrigation pipes. When the electric current is switched off, the diaphragm closes, shutting off the flow of water.
What is a wire and valve locator?
For your specific valve locator, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. A basic wire and valve locator consists of a transmitter in a carrying case, ...
How many batteries do you need for a wire and valve locator?
You’ll also need eight “ D” cell alkaline batteries for the transmitter, and one square 9-volt alkaline or lithium battery for the receiving wand.
Where do you start a wire?
Begin where the wire enters the ground and follow the null (virtually no sound).
Can you find buried irrigation valves?
When buried irrigation valves need maintenance or replacement, they can be difficult to find. Whether in valve boxes or buried unprotected, their location can be covered by dirt or mulch, or overgrown by grass. If the original system diagram is lost, or the sprinklers were installed by a previous homeowner, you need a method of locating your irrigation valves.
Can a signal continue past a valve?
The signal will not usually continue past this area unless there are more valves on the wire being traced. You may want to check further for other valves located on the same wire.
Where is the main shut off valve on an irrigation system?
It is between the main water supply to your home and the sprinkler controller. Alternately, the main shutoff is located outdoors near a faucet bib. The main valve may be in a box in this area to protect it from the elements.
How to turn on sprinkler controller?
Depending on your make and model, you may turn a dial, press a button or find this mode from a drop-down menu on the controller. This process allows the sprinkler system to come on immediately. Observe the sprinkler heads in your system. If water is flowing out of them, the main shutoff valve is open.
What to use if main shutoff valve is not turned on?
Tip. If your main shutoff valve has not been turned on or off for some time, you may need a pair of adjustable pliers to turn the handle. Brass valves are a longer-lasting product than PVC or plastic, which deteriorate in direct sunlight. Irrigation Tutorials recommends ball valves for large supply pipes. Locate the main shutoff valve on your ...
What is a main shutoff valve?
The main shutoff valve on an irrigation system allows you to open it for water to flow, and it may be controlled by pre-set timers on the control panel. As Rainbird explains, a main shutoff in the off position stops the water flow to your sprinklers, so you can work on or maintain them without the controller coming on and giving you a good soaking. Depending on the type of valve you have, you may be able to determine visually if the valve is open.
How to turn a gate valve?
Turn a gate valve counterclockwise until it stops to open it. A gate valve has a round handle and looks the same as an outdoor faucet handle. Turning it to the left lifts an internal gate that releases water incrementally as it turns. The gate lifts entirely when the handle is turned fully counterclockwise. If the handle will turn no farther ...
What is a ball valve?
A ball valve has a long lever handle if it is brass. Plastic ball valves have a long plastic handle that extends on each side of the base. A ball valve is open when the handle aligns with the water pipe under it where it is installed.
How to tell if a ball valve is open?
Plastic ball valves have a long plastic handle that extends on each side of the base. A ball valve is open when the handle aligns with the water pipe under it where it is installed. If the handle is adjacent to the pipe underneath, a small hole in an interior ball is turned one-quarter turn to shut off the water flow in the system.
What is zone valve?
The zone valves themselves consist of a diaphragm that controls the flow of water; the diaphragm is open and closed based on signals received by a solenoid mounted on the zone valve. The solenoid controls a spring-loaded metal piston that opens or closes the water port passing through the valve. Irrigation zone valves come in many shapes and configurations, including models that integrate an anti-siphon device. In other systems, the anti-siphon valve is a separate device that is installed on the water pipe before it reaches the valve box.
How many volts should a zone valve controller be?
You can use a multimeter to test between the common terminal and zone terminal—if the voltage is too low (they should be between 24 to 28 volts) you will need to replace the entire controller. The low-voltage wires leading from the controller to the zone valve's solenoid may be damaged or disconnected.
What happens when a zone valve opens?
When a zone valve opens, water flows through underground plastic tubing to feed sprinkler heads that pop up and distribute water to the lawn and landscape for however long the controller allows the zone valve to remain open.
How does an in ground sprinkler work?
In the typical system, a water supply pipe from the main water source first passes into a valve box set at ground level, where it is divided into individual underground irrigation zones, each controlled by its own zone valve. The zone valves are governed by an electronic controller, which sets the time and duration of each watering session via low-voltage wires. Smaller homes may have just one irrigation zone, but most have two, three, or more.
Why is my zone valve leaking?
Leaking can be caused by a torn or damaged diaphragm inside the valve. In this case, disassemble and rebuild the valve with a new diaphragm. A cracked valve body can cause leaking. In this circumstance, replace the zone valve.
Why is my sprinkler line gurgling up?
A more serious cause is when there is a water pipe leak somewhere along one of the underground irrigation lines. Such water line problems are usually located somewhere between the valves and the first sprinkler head. You may find areas of soggy lawn where water is pooling or even gurgling up. This is the point where you will need to dig down and repair the water line .
What does it mean when a sprinkler head is dirty?
A worn-out or damaged zone valve can also cause this symptom. It may be a sign that the valve is failing to close completely.
How to find buried irrigation valves?
Often you can estimate the rough location of the irrigation valve, then find a buried valve box by probing the ground.
Where are valves located?
In this case, it's usually quite easy to find the valves. Often the valves are located inside one or more in-ground valve boxes. The tops of these boxes will be at ground level, and these, too, are usually fairly easy to spot and access. The valve box, or sometimes the valves themselves, are sometimes buried underground.
How to trace sprinkler wires?
With automatic sprinkler systems, you may be able to trace the controller wires all the way from the main controller to the valve locations. Dig holes every 10 feet or so to observe the direction of the wires until you locate the valve, but be careful not to damage the wires as you dig—a hand trowel is the best tool to use.
What is irrigation repair?
natbits / Getty Images. In a lawn irrigation system, repair or replacement of an irrigation valve is a very common repair. An irrigation system is typically divided into several zones, each of which feeds sprinkler heads in a different area of the lawn or garden, and each zone is controlled by a valve that receives signals from a centrally located ...
How to find valves in the ground?
Begin by looking for exposed valve boxes. In many instances, the valves will be conveniently located in green or black plastic boxes set into the ground, with covers that can be removed to expose the valves. These boxes have covers that can be removed to access the valves. Over time, however, these boxes can get covered with grass and dirt. After a few years, they can virtually disappear.
How to locate valve solenoid?
A simple tool known as a chatter locator energizes the valve solenoid, making it possible to locate the valve by listening for the clicking sound it makes.
Where are below ground valves located?
Here are some tips for location below-ground valves, beginning with the easiest. Begin by looking for exposed valve boxes. In many instances, the valves will be conveniently located in green or black plastic boxes set into the ground, with covers that can be removed to expose the valves. These boxes have covers that can be removed to access ...
