Ever come outside after a long week at work to notice a section of your yard just doesn’t look as good as the other? You run through the sprinklers and realize they won’t even turn on. Or maybe you had some lawn work done only to find out that your sprinkler system is broken? In this blog, we will go over the problems that could be affecting your sprinklers.
Before we go any further, let’s share some common terminology used in irrigation:
Control Box: The timer box, usually in your garage, that controls the irrigation. You can also find these on porches.
Solenoid Valve: An electromechanical valve used to control the flow of water. These are used to turn on/off the flow of water.
Common Wire: This wire, usually white, connects to every solenoid valve, master valve, and the control box.
Dedicated Wire: A different colored wire that is only hooked up to one valve.
Backflow Preventer: Prevents the backflow of water into the city water. There are two main types used in Midland, Texas:
Double Check Valve: Usually found in a box with a green lid close to your water meter.
Pressure Breaker Valve: Typically found in a faux rock or green bag standing 12-18” in the air around your fence or house
Manual Search:
Look for an area where you expect the valve box to be and probe the soil with a long screwdriver or metal rod. This method is the most time-consuming and labor-intensive but also the cheapest.
Good places to look include areas close to the sprinklers that are no longer working. The valve box will most likely be between these sprinklers and the backflow preventer.
Another place to check is between the closest sprinklers in the lawn and the backflow preventer, especially if the contractor may have put all the valves in the same box.
Using a Valve and Wire Locator:
This is the most time-efficient method. You can sometimes rent these from local hardware stores or tool rental companies.
Alternatively, you could call a licensed irrigation company like Jackson’s Outdoor Design LLC to find the missing valves.
You could also buy a valve locator, but they can range from $500 to $1,000.
Steps to Use a Valve Locator:
Check the Battery:
The valve locator should have a test battery button. Turn this on to ensure the battery is working. It should jump up to at least 8.
Identify Non-Working Zones:
Run through all your sprinkler stations to see which zones are not working. If more than one zone is not working, take note of each one.
Open your sprinkler box and remove the wires that are not working from the control box.
Connect the Valve Locator:
Connect the red wire from the valve locator to the first valve you are trying to locate.
Connect the black wire as close to where the wires enter the garage as you can using the ground stake. If it’s a far distance, you may need to hook some extra wire between the black wire on the valve locator and the ground stake to add distance.
Locate the Valve:
Once the system is hooked up and ready to go, turn the switch until it jumps between 4-8. This indicates a good reading.
Turn the stick reader up slightly and go to the area where the wires leave the house. You will notice the numbers on the meter jump up.
Follow the wire until you hit a hot spot. The voltage on the meter will read all the way to the max, and you will hear a squeal. If it completely loses signal, it indicates a broken wire. We will cover that in more detail below.
You have now found the valve box. Test the valve:
Open the Valve:
Turn the valve to the left. If water flows out, there is a wiring problem. If no water flows out, your valve is most likely stuck shut.
Addressing Wiring Issues:
If it’s a wiring issue, first dig out the valve and reconnect the wires near the valve. If this doesn’t help, connect the valve locator to the common wire.
Repeat the process of finding the valve box, but this time look for when the signal completely drops. This indicates a break in the wire.
Dig up the location and re-splice the common wire using approved outdoor/waterproof connections.
Fixing a Stuck Valve:
If the valve is stuck shut, it’s time to replace the valve. First, turn off the water supply.
Unscrew all the screws in the solenoid valve and remove the spring and other parts. Replace these with new parts, ensuring the seal is tight and the screws are fully secured.
Rewire the valve using the same color and white wire as the previous valve.
Properly addressing irrigation issues is crucial for maintaining a healthy and vibrant landscape. By following the tips discussed in this blog, you can ensure your irrigation system operates efficiently, saving water and promoting the growth of your plants.
For more expert advice on landscaping and irrigation, visit Jacksonsoutdoordesign.com. If you need personalized assistance, call us today at 432.271.8512. We're here to help you create and maintain the perfect outdoor space.
Commenti