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Started By
Message
Sprinkler leak even with controller 'off'
Posted on 9/6/24 at 10:09 am
Posted on 9/6/24 at 10:09 am
Disclaimer- this is a neighbor's system. I don't know anything about it and have never had a sprinkler system in my yards.
He had a large wet spot in his yard and a huge water bill so he turned the controller to 'off'. The leak continued and he got another huge bill. I helped him shut the water for the system off at the main valve.
How did the leak continue with the controller off and how do I help him fix the leak?
Thanks
He had a large wet spot in his yard and a huge water bill so he turned the controller to 'off'. The leak continued and he got another huge bill. I helped him shut the water for the system off at the main valve.
How did the leak continue with the controller off and how do I help him fix the leak?
Thanks
7
Posted on 9/6/24 at 10:20 am to PerplenGold
Most all water leaks are diagnosed and fixed with the primary tool of a shovel. The area should be soft, so ripe for the job.
If you want to help.. get after it.
If you want to help.. get after it.
Posted on 9/6/24 at 10:50 am to PerplenGold
He has to turn off the water at the irrigation backflow. The controller only turns off the timer. Either an irrigation main line leak or a valve issue that has a slow leak. Once the property dries with an irrigation turned off the backflow can be turned back on and then look for the wet spot
Posted on 9/6/24 at 10:55 am to PerplenGold
This could be as simple as debris making a valve stick in the open position, or it could be a cracked/broken line.
If it's a valve sticking, he can turn the water back on and monitor the flow meter to see if it stops once the lines are pressurized with the water. I've had this issue once, and turning off the water supply got the valve unstuck. It's not guaranteed to get it unstuck, but it worked in my case. Does he have a valve box where the large wet spot is in his yard? If so, check the valve box first. Even if it wasn't stuck in the open position, it could have failed.
If it's a valve sticking, he can turn the water back on and monitor the flow meter to see if it stops once the lines are pressurized with the water. I've had this issue once, and turning off the water supply got the valve unstuck. It's not guaranteed to get it unstuck, but it worked in my case. Does he have a valve box where the large wet spot is in his yard? If so, check the valve box first. Even if it wasn't stuck in the open position, it could have failed.
Posted on 9/6/24 at 11:15 am to AFtigerFan
The wet area was away from the control boxes near a flower bed. Can tell it was there by how overgrown that area of the bed is.
Is it just a stuck or broken sprinkler head?
Is it just a stuck or broken sprinkler head?
Posted on 9/6/24 at 11:22 am to PerplenGold
This shouldn’t be possible in a proper system without multiple failures.
It sounds like the master valve is broken or stuck open and there is a common leak somewhere between the master and one of the remote valve boxes. Replace master and fix leak.
It sounds like the master valve is broken or stuck open and there is a common leak somewhere between the master and one of the remote valve boxes. Replace master and fix leak.
Posted on 9/6/24 at 11:34 am to PerplenGold
quote:Not if it caused a huge water bill. The valves are what controls the water flow. A broken sprinkler would leak the water that is in the line, but it wouldn’t make you use any more water.
Is it just a stuck or broken sprinkler head?
If the valve is stuck open though, it could be feeding the sprinklers in that area. And the valve box itself wouldn’t necessarily be wet.
Posted on 9/6/24 at 1:12 pm to PerplenGold
Unscrew the solenoid from the valve and flush it with clean water. Sometimes some sand can get in there and keep it from fully closing and thus remains partially open all the time.
Posted on 9/6/24 at 5:21 pm to PerplenGold
You have many good responses. Basically, what the controller says isn't what the valves are actually doing... when a valve is stuck open. Some valves like Rainbird allow a manual turn off. If yours allow that, turn all off. Then reopen one at a time. Watch the leak-detection arrow on you water meter to see when unexpected flow is happening.
Unfortunately, great yard helper systems like sprinklers add to your maintenance burden.
Unfortunately, great yard helper systems like sprinklers add to your maintenance burden.
Posted on 9/7/24 at 11:28 am to AFtigerFan
The leak with a leaking valve will be at the lowest head in that zone. This issue is preventable if contractors install a master valve but that rarely happens on residential installations
Posted on 9/9/24 at 5:48 am to PerplenGold
More than likely it's a valve; replace all of them.
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