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Started By
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Sprinkler valve location?
Posted on 3/1/24 at 11:48 am
Posted on 3/1/24 at 11:48 am
I think I have a sprinkler valve that is stuck open. I have no idea where the valves are located. Would it make sense to dig up right in front of my control box and then work my way down until I find it? Are they usually in a certain spot?
Posted on 3/1/24 at 12:19 pm to OysterPoBoy
What makes you think the valve is open?
Is the zone running or the heads all popped up?
Just oozing from the heads ?
Is the zone running or the heads all popped up?
Just oozing from the heads ?
Posted on 3/1/24 at 12:29 pm to OysterPoBoy
How do you have no idea where the valves are located? Are they not in valve boxes? It would be extremely unusual for them to just be buried underground.
Posted on 3/1/24 at 1:43 pm to DickTater
When the system turns on one zone goes the whole time. Even when the watering is done the only way to shut it off is to stop the water.
I don’t see anything above ground besides the control box.
I don’t see anything above ground besides the control box.
This post was edited on 3/1/24 at 1:44 pm
Posted on 3/1/24 at 1:58 pm to OysterPoBoy
Mine are by the control box.
If you had a diy system and the installer just installed the valve boxes randomly, you can rent or buy a wire tracer for the valve box
If you had a diy system and the installer just installed the valve boxes randomly, you can rent or buy a wire tracer for the valve box
Posted on 3/2/24 at 4:21 am to OysterPoBoy
I have 6 zones and 3 valve boxes with 2 valves each. When I moved in I couldn’t find 2/3 due to grass growing over them. No way I would have found them without a wire tracer.
Posted on 3/2/24 at 12:25 pm to OysterPoBoy
Ok …I find this topic interesting.. I have chased sprinkler value boxes in my yard for thirty years.. to op that said how can you not find them.. well buy a house fifteen years old and have the original blueprints of the installation.. then find the modified location of when they actually install them.. and once found remark your blueprints or be lazy and do not and let grass grow over the box again..live in that house for thirty plus years as a do it yourself kinda of guy.
With that said I have them all marked but sometimes still have to poke around the grass.. gravel etc..
I googled wire tracer ..not sure I found the right thing.. how does this tool work.. tbh.. I am old and lazy and now pretty much just call my sprinkler guy.. but still interested and y’all’s method.. this would have helped a lot as I changed out valves when I was younger.
With that said I have them all marked but sometimes still have to poke around the grass.. gravel etc..
I googled wire tracer ..not sure I found the right thing.. how does this tool work.. tbh.. I am old and lazy and now pretty much just call my sprinkler guy.. but still interested and y’all’s method.. this would have helped a lot as I changed out valves when I was younger.
Posted on 3/2/24 at 1:22 pm to Thecoz
My house was new when I bought it but I’ve never seen a box or anywhere that would seem like they would be. I think I’ll try the wire tracer thing.
Posted on 3/2/24 at 2:06 pm to OysterPoBoy
We had our house build in 2000 and the sprinkler guy put the boxes all over the yard (8 zones).
I keep them cleared so I can find them but if I didn't, it would be a PITA to find them. Interestingly, haven't had to replace one yet.
He did provide a rough sketch of where they are....
Sure wish he had put them all near the pump.
Reminds me of when my parents bought a new (to them) home when I was ~17. It apparently had been unoccupied for a while and most of the sprinklers, valves, and landscape lights were lost. Spent a lot of time tracking them down.. found many by chance rather by design.
I keep them cleared so I can find them but if I didn't, it would be a PITA to find them. Interestingly, haven't had to replace one yet.
He did provide a rough sketch of where they are....
Sure wish he had put them all near the pump.
Reminds me of when my parents bought a new (to them) home when I was ~17. It apparently had been unoccupied for a while and most of the sprinklers, valves, and landscape lights were lost. Spent a lot of time tracking them down.. found many by chance rather by design.
Posted on 3/3/24 at 6:29 am to TigersnJeeps
quote:
Sure wish he had put them all near the pump.
They guy who installed my system put them all together, pretty much out of sight on the side of the house. That's a good idea for a new install. If they are scattered around the yard, you'll forget the locations by the time they get covered up and need maintenance.
Posted on 3/3/24 at 6:09 pm to OysterPoBoy
What brand of sprinkler timer? Also you can buy a buzz bee and it will cause the valve to knock so you can locate it.
Posted on 3/4/24 at 2:13 pm to OysterPoBoy
Check close to the backflow. Lots of contractors try to limit the amount of control wire.
Posted on 3/4/24 at 8:09 pm to crownNbull
quote:
Check close to the backflow.
Ah, I was thinking it would be closer to the house. There is something over there I’ve never opened. I’ll check it out tomorrow.
Posted on 3/4/24 at 8:27 pm to OysterPoBoy
You have a stuck valve replace it it’s in the valve box follow the wires from your controller
Posted on 3/5/24 at 9:20 am to OysterPoBoy
Are the sprayers in a row by chance? I installed my own system, and had a irrigation architect do the design. He said that it's best practice to put the valve in the middle of the zone meaning if you have a 6 sprayer zone, you want 3 heads to one side of the valve and 3 heads to the other. If they're in a line, poke around the middle of the zone and see if you can find it. This is making a lot of assumptions and may not be the way the installer actually built the system. But worth a shot.
Here is an amazon wire tracer.
Amazon Wire Tracer
Here is an amazon wire tracer.
Amazon Wire Tracer
Posted on 3/5/24 at 9:36 am to WhiskeyThrottle
No luck on them being near the backflow but I did find my neighbors valve box, so at least I got that going for me.
Looks like I'll go the wire tracer route.
Looks like I'll go the wire tracer route.
Posted on 3/5/24 at 2:18 pm to OysterPoBoy
Backflow is usually next to the home where your water main enters the house. Definitely sounds like you have trash stuck in it. Usually it’s a very small
piece of gravel or dirt that got into the main. Sometimes you can turn off the backflow off and on and clear it out.
piece of gravel or dirt that got into the main. Sometimes you can turn off the backflow off and on and clear it out.
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