How to Locate Underground Sprinkler Valves
- Locate the Irrigation Plan. Home systems usually have an irrigation plan drawn. ...
- Locate the Backflow Valve. A backflow valve is usually located near the area where water enters the system from the main water source.
- Follow the Irrigation Timer. ...
- Follow the Water Lines. ...
- Identify Chatter. ...
Full Answer
How to find an underground sprinkler valve?
How to Locate Underground Sprinkler Valves
- Locate the Irrigation Plan. Home systems usually have an irrigation plan drawn. ...
- Locate the Backflow Valve. A backflow valve is usually located near the area where water enters the system from the main water source.
- Follow the Irrigation Timer. ...
- Follow the Water Lines. ...
- Identify Chatter. ...
How to find hidden sprinkler valves?
- Turn on your sprinkler system using its controller.
- Measure the distance between active heads using a tape measure.
- With the entire sprinkler system activated, identify blind spots in coverage.
- Probe blind spots with the tape measure and spade.
What is the best sprinkler control valve?
Top 8 Sprinkler Valves Review 2021
- Hunter Sprinkler PGV101G – Editor’s Choice. ...
- Weathermatic BB-DW-15NP – Premium Pick. ...
- Orbit Sprinkler System 51016 – Best Brass Sprinkler Valves. ...
- Toro 53764 – Best Anti-Siphon Sprinkler Valve. ...
- Orbit 57460 – Best Automatic Sprinkler Valve. ...
- Rain Bird DASASVF075 – Best Value. ...
- Orbit 57624 – Best Manual Control Sprinkler Valve. ...
Where is PVC valve located?
Where is a PCV valve located? A PCV valve located in the valve cover. It may be located on or near the intake manifold, as shown here. A PVC valve located on the valve cover, with the hose that leads to it removed. A hose leading to the PCV valve is often kept in place by a clamp. Click to see full answer.
How do I find my sprinkler valves?
Start at that sprinkler and try to find the valve nearby. The cheapest and easiest way to find buried irrigation valves is often to probe the soil with a thin rod, such as a long screwdriver. Often you can estimate the rough location of the irrigation valve, then find a buried valve box by probing the ground.
Where are sprinkler zone valves?
0:313:34How to Replace a Sprinkler Valve Diaphragm - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe most common valves used in residential applications are globe. And anti-siphon valve globeMoreThe most common valves used in residential applications are globe. And anti-siphon valve globe valves are typically installed underground. While anti-siphon valve need to be installed at least 6
How many valves does a sprinkler system have?
two typesMost automatic sprinkler systems are set up with two types of valves. A brass "gate valve" or "ball valve" is usually located right after the "tee" where the sprinkler system cuts off from the main source of water to the house.
Where is my irrigation valve box?
In most cases, your sprinkler valve box will house your manifold and valves. Occasionally valves will be above ground. Valve boxes are generally around the permitter of your house - so when searching for your valves, start there!
What does sprinkler valve look like?
0:482:13How to Find Your Sprinkler System Shut-Off Valve - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn this instance the valve we want is by the drain the sprinkler shutoff valve will probably be aMoreIn this instance the valve we want is by the drain the sprinkler shutoff valve will probably be a ball valve with a handle sometimes the valve is Marc sprinklers or sprinkler shutoff valve.
Do all sprinkler systems have a master valve?
The irrigation controller turns the master valve on and off. Most, but not all, irrigation controllers have a master valve circuit built in to them.
How do you turn off a sprinkler valve manually?
0:300:50Manually Turning a Valve On and Off - Rain Bird Residential ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo turn off the valve when the irrigation controller is running turn off the zone or station at theMoreTo turn off the valve when the irrigation controller is running turn off the zone or station at the controller. Or turn the flow control stem clockwise until it is. Shut you.
How do I turn off my sprinkler system?
0:482:37How to Turn Off the Water to Your Sprinkler System - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTurn it a quarter turn that shuts the water off if the handle is perpendicular to the pipe. TheMoreTurn it a quarter turn that shuts the water off if the handle is perpendicular to the pipe. The water is off if it's parallel to the pipe like the front one that means the water is on.
How do I turn off my irrigation valve?
0:001:00How To Turn A Sprinkler System Off in 3 Simple Ways - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPosition. Off position that's number one number two look for your double. Check get a little blueMorePosition. Off position that's number one number two look for your double. Check get a little blue handle right there there. All you have to do is turn off one of them.
How can I find my sprinkler lines without digging?
If you prefer to locate the lines and heads of your system without digging, rent a valve locator or even a metal detector and mark areas once found - better yet, call call 811, a federally mandated service, and ask someone to come out and locate the system for you.
Can you use a metal detector to find sprinkler valves?
Use a metal detector to find buried sprinkler heads. Many valves have metal parts you can locate by running the metal detector over the surface of the ground. Valves are located directly under sprinkler heads.
How do I manually turn on my sprinkler system?
0:165:19How to Turn on Sprinklers Manually + Business Talk - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd these are all manual valves down inside here you see this little tiny square. Spicket if youMoreAnd these are all manual valves down inside here you see this little tiny square. Spicket if you turn that counter clockwise a quarter of a turn.
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 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.
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 ...
What is a sprinkler system diagram?
Many sprinkler system installers provide a system diagram that outlines the location of sprinkler heads and valve. If the irrigation system required a permit for installation, your local permits department may still have an irrigation blueprint on file, which will indicate the location of the valves. It may be possible to follow the sound of the ...
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 ...
Where is the valve box located in a house?
Very often, the valve location is near the corners of the house or just slightly past the backflow preventer. Probe the ground to a depth of about 6 to 12 inches and listen/feel for the presence of the hollow valve box.
Can you find the sprinkler valves?
Surprisingly often, though, it can be difficult to locate the sprinkler valves. The task is complicated by the fact that the valve locations can vary greatly depending on the size of the yard and the design of the system.
What wire do sprinkler valves use?
Sprinkler valves are operated electronically using low voltage 24v power generally of 18 gauge wire for residential, and 14 gauge wire for commercial. Valves require a separate 24v power wire for each valve and are connected together with a white "common" wire, linked between each valve. The process to find sprinkler valves can be complicated;
How do I install an irrigation system?
1) Start in the Most Likely Places 1 Probe the soil. Determine the irrigation valve area, and sift through the soil in that specific section of your property. This process is not recommended except if you are completely sure that a valve box covers the lawn irrigation valves. Otherwise, probing the soil could cause damage to the solenoid, the valve wires or the irrigation system pipes. 2 Look for valves box covers. If valve boxes were set over the valves when the system was installed, they are most probably just under the surface.
What is an automatic irrigation valve?
Automatic irrigation valves are usually a globe or angle (straight or bent) and use a diaphragm and an electric solenoid to switch the valve open and close. Sprinkler valves are commonly plastic for residential and most commercial applications then metal for heavy-duty sites such as golf courses and municipal pumping stations.
What is a wire locator?
Use a wire locator which is also known as a wire tracer device. In some tool rental places, especially in locations that provide to professional contractors, have wire tracers they rent. This device is used to follow the path of the wires to the valve, starting at the controller/timer.
Do sprinklers need maintenance?
Although an irrigation system can operate smoothly for many years, sprinkler systems will need regular maintenance, and often times the valve boxes are hidden and tough to find. Locating a malfunctioning sprinkler valve can be difficult when a valve replacement or tune-up is required.
Where is the water line in a sprinkler system?
A water line is usually installed from the backflow valve to the sprinkler valves. It is buried deeper, so use your wire cutter to cut a 12-inch wire from the metal coat hanger. Use it to go through the soil.
Where is the backflow valve located?
Step 2 - Locate the Backflow Valve. A backflow valve is usually located near the area where water enters the system from the main water source. You can usually find the sprinkler valves near it.
What is an irrigation plan?
Home systems usually have an irrigation plan drawn. It shows the location of every component of the system, and allows you to find where the sprinkler valves are located from the plan.
Mark the Heads
Your sprinkler heads have to stick out of the ground or they won’t work. This is great for us as it gives us something visible to identify. Once the heads are marked in a grid, we know that the water lines have to run between them.
Trace From the Valves
The sprinkler heads are not the only important part of mapping out the lines. We also need to identify the valves and where the lines run between the valves and the sprinkler heads. Typically, the valves are going to be housed in a box with a round lid. It should be visible, but sometimes the box can get lightly buried over time.
Probing
After we have traced the lines to a place that needs work, we’ll probe for components. Probing is relatively simple. We use a firm object that can push through the dirt far enough to strike the line buried underneath. We have tools that allow us to find the components while minimizing any risk of damaging the lines or damage to your landscape.
Digging
Ultimately, most sprinkler work requires digging. If we need to access a line or other component beneath the ground, we have to dig it up; there really is no other way. Everything we’ve illustrated in this article allows us to dig as little as necessary to do the work, but digging is always the final step.
