how to install sprinkler valves

1. What happens if you install a sprinkler valve backwards?
2. How do I know which sprinkler valve goes to which zone?
3. Does each sprinkler zone have a valve?
4. How deep should a sprinkler be?
5. Which is better hunter or Rainbird?
6. What happens if a sprinkler solenoid goes bad?
7. What causes a sprinkler valve to stay on?
8. What wire is used for sprinkler valves?
9. What is a common wire in a sprinkler system?
10. How do you know if a sprinkler valve is bad?
11. How many zones can a sprinkler valve control?
12. Can one sprinkler valve control two zones?
13. How do you find a hidden sprinkler valve?
14. How do you set a sprinkler zone?
15. Is a sprinkler system worth it?
16. How much does installing a sprinkler system cost?

What happens if you install a sprinkler valve backwards?

“Every contractor has, at one time in his life, installed at least one valve backwards,” said Carowitz, “The valve generally won't open, and if enough pressure is applied, it may do damage to the internal parts.”

How do I know which sprinkler valve goes to which zone?

Mark each valve with a white paint marker to indicate a zone number that it operates. For future use, make a diagram of your sprinkler system on paper, showing the location of each valve box, each valve and the area it irrigates.

Does each sprinkler zone have a valve?

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 controller. ... Often the valves are located inside one or more in-ground valve boxes.

How deep should a sprinkler be?

In most locations, 8 to 12 inches of depth will work out for the best. This measurement would be from the top of the buried pipe up to the surface. That means you will need to dig your trench a bit deeper than normal to accommodate the pipes.

Which is better hunter or Rainbird?

Hunter products are slightly more durable than Rainbird. They can handle a greater PSI which is important when it comes to water pressure, winterization and extreme weather. ... Hunter Controllers are way easier to program than Rainbird. Hunter has a few types of controllers.

What happens if a sprinkler solenoid goes bad?

What happens if a sprinkler solenoid goes bad? A sprinkler works because the solenoid changes the water pressure inside the sprinkler chamber and lifts the plunger that opens the sprinkler valve. If your solenoid is bad, the water pressure in the sprinkler chamber will not be changed and the valve will fail to open.

What causes a sprinkler valve to stay on?

Air Trapped in the Valve:

The valves may have air trapped in them. A small bubble of air becomes trapped in the tiny water ports of the valve, this stops the water from flowing through the port. Since the water flowing through the port is what holds the valve diaphragm closed, the valve stays open.

What wire is used for sprinkler valves?

Most manufacturers include recommendations about what wire size to use with their valves, but typically, you can use 18-gauge wire if the length of the wire (not the distance) from the controller to the valve is less than 200 feet, and it's being installed as a residential system.

What is a common wire in a sprinkler system?

The “common wire” is run in series and is connected to all the valves in the system, whereas the “hot wires” are run from each zone at the irrigation controller to each valve in the field. This is how each zone is operated independently from the irrigation controller.

How do you know if a sprinkler valve is bad?

Signs of issues in sprinkler valve:

1. Water not turning Off: If you notice that water is not closing off from the sprinkler, then there seems to be an issue in the diaphragm valve. ...
2. Leaks of water: ...
3. Broken Sprinkler Head. ...
4. Stuck Valve. ...
5. Wiring: ...
6. Irregular Watering:

How many zones can a sprinkler valve control?

They can be 2-7 zone configurations. All irrigation zones get glued to it and and one pipe is the water source.

Can one sprinkler valve control two zones?

Running multiple zones at once is usually not possible due water-pressure and flow limitations at residential properties. As with any standard irrigation controller, you can wire multiple solenoids/valves to the same zone output if you want.

How do you find a hidden sprinkler valve?

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. ...
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.

How do you set a sprinkler zone?

Draw Your Sprinkler Zone Plan

With simple math, you can determine how many heads in each zone and then take the total number of sprinklers you need, and divide that by your head/zone number and that will tell you how many zones you need.

Is a sprinkler system worth it?

While there are significant costs to consider, the benefits could certainly be worth the investment: Just the right amount: Garden irrigation is an art. If you water your plants too little, they may begin wilting. If you water them too much, you could inadvertently drown their roots.

How much does installing a sprinkler system cost?

According to Home Advisor, the national average for a new sprinkler costs $2,429. At the lower end of the scale, the cost is $500, and the high end is $4,600. The typical cost for an irrigation system ranges from $1,759 to $3,350.