Putting in sprinkler valves is a comparatively simple course of that may be accomplished in a number of hours with the precise instruments and supplies. Nevertheless, it is very important notice that sprinkler methods are electrical gadgets and will solely be put in by certified professionals. If you’re not comfy working with electrical energy, it’s best to rent a licensed electrician to put in your sprinkler valves.
Step one in putting in sprinkler valves is to decide on the precise location. The valves needs to be positioned in a central location that’s straightforward to entry for upkeep and repairs. The valves also needs to be shielded from the weather, so they need to be put in in a coated space, reminiscent of a storage or shed. After getting chosen the placement for the valves, you possibly can start the set up course of.
Deciding on the Proper Sprinkler Valve
Choosing the proper sprinkler valve is essential for environment friendly and dependable watering of your garden and backyard. This is an in depth information that can assist you choose the most effective valve in your wants:
Move Price
The stream charge of a valve determines how a lot water it could actually ship per minute. It’s measured in gallons per minute (GPM). The stream charge required in your system will depend on the variety of sprinklers you’ve, the scale of your garden, and the water strain obtainable at your home. Most residential sprinkler valves have stream charges starting from 5 GPM to twenty GPM. To find out the stream charge required in your system, add up the GPM of all of the sprinklers you’ve. Then, divide this quantity by the variety of valves you intend to make use of. The result’s the minimal GPM required for every valve.
Kind of Valve
There are two fundamental varieties of sprinkler valves: guide and automated. Guide valves require you to show them on and off manually, whereas automated valves open and shut routinely primarily based on a timer or different management gadget. Computerized valves are extra handy and might help you save water by watering your garden solely when obligatory.
Materials
Sprinkler valves are sometimes manufactured from both brass or plastic. Brass valves are extra sturdy and proof against corrosion, however they’re additionally costlier. Plastic valves are inexpensive, however they might not be as sturdy as brass valves. The most effective materials in your valve will rely in your finances and your particular wants.
Options
Some sprinkler valves include extra options that may improve their efficiency and comfort. These options might embrace stream management, which lets you alter the water stream to every sprinkler; a strain regulator, which helps keep a constant water strain all through the system; and a built-in verify valve, which prevents water from flowing again into the primary water provide.
| Function | Advantages |
|---|---|
| Move management | Permits exact adjustment of water stream to every sprinkler, guaranteeing optimum watering effectivity. |
| Stress regulator | Maintains constant water strain all through the system, stopping overwatering or underwatering. |
| Constructed-in verify valve | Prevents water from flowing again into the primary water provide, conserving water and stopping injury. |
Finding the Sprinkler Valve Field
To find your sprinkler valve field, comply with these steps:
- Examine the world round your garden for small, plastic or metallic containers which might be normally inexperienced or black. These containers sometimes measure about 6×8 inches and will have a small, spherical lid.
- If you happen to do not see any containers on the floor, search for areas of your garden which might be greener or extra lush than others. This might point out the presence of a buried valve field.
- Use a metallic detector to brush your garden. Metallic detectors can typically detect the metallic lid or deal with of a buried valve field.
- Seek the advice of your sprinkler system’s blueprints or set up guide. These paperwork might present a map or directions on the place to search out the valve containers.
- Contact your native water utility. They could have information or maps that present the placement of sprinkler valve containers in your space.
Suggestions for Uncovering a Buried Valve Field
In case your valve field is buried, it’s possible you’ll have to dig it as much as entry it. Listed here are some ideas:
| Instrument | Objective |
|---|---|
| Shovel | Digging up the soil across the valve field |
| Hoe | Eradicating grass and different vegetation |
| Hand trowel | Superb-tuning the excavation and uncovering the valve field |
| Wire brush | Cleansing the valve field and eradicating any filth or particles |
1. Use a shovel to rigorously dig across the space the place you watched the valve field is positioned.
2. Take away any grass or vegetation with a hoe.
3. Use a hand trowel to softly uncover the valve field.
4. Use a wire brush to scrub the valve field and take away any filth or particles.
5. As soon as the valve field is uncovered, you possibly can entry the sprinkler valves inside.
Eradicating the Outdated Sprinkler Valve
Earlier than putting in a brand new sprinkler valve, it’s essential to take away the previous one. Listed here are the steps to comply with:
1. Shut off the water provide
Find the primary water valve that provides water to your sprinkler system. Flip the valve clockwise to close off the water provide.
2. Launch the strain within the line
Connect a hose to the check port on the previous sprinkler valve. Open the hose bib to launch the strain within the line. Preserve the hose open till all of the water has drained out.
3. Disconnect the wires
Find the wires which might be related to the previous sprinkler valve. Use wire cutters to chop the wires, leaving about 6 inches of wire uncovered.
4. Dig across the valve field
Utilizing a shovel, rigorously dig across the valve field to reveal the previous sprinkler valve. Watch out to not injury the valve field or the encompassing pipes.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| a. Use a pry bar or screwdriver to loosen the soil across the valve field. | |
| b. Carry the valve field lid off of the field. | |
| c. Find the 4 screws that safe the sprinkler valve to the valve field. | |
| d. Use a wrench or screwdriver to take away the screws. | |
| e. Fastidiously raise the sprinkler valve out of the valve field. |
Putting in the New Sprinkler Valve
With the previous valve eliminated, it is time to set up the brand new one. This is a step-by-step information:
1. Apply Pipe Sealant Tape
Wrap pipe sealant tape clockwise across the male threads of the brand new valve. Apply it tightly, overlapping the threads. It will forestall leaks when connecting the valve to the pipes.
2. Join the Valve to the Inlet Pipe
Align the male threads of the valve with the feminine threads of the inlet pipe. Hand-tighten the valve onto the pipe. Use a wrench to additional tighten the connection, however watch out to not overtighten.
3. Set up the Inlet Filter
Place the inlet filter over the uncovered male threads of the valve. Safe it by hand-tightening it onto the valve. This filter will forestall particles from getting into the valve and clogging it.
4. Join the Outlet Pipes
Repeat steps 1-3 to attach the outlet pipes to the feminine threads of the valve. Be certain that the pipes are aligned accurately and that the connections are tight.
5. Wire the Solenoid
The solenoid controls the opening and shutting of the valve. Take away the solenoid wires from the previous valve and join them to the terminals on the brand new valve. Match the wires in keeping with coloration (widespread, sign, and floor). Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws on the terminals.
| Wire Coloration | Terminal |
|---|---|
| Black | Widespread (C) |
| Brown | Sign (S) |
| White | Floor (G) |
Connecting the Wires to the Sprinkler Valve
As soon as the valve field is in place, it is time to join the wires to the sprinkler valve. Earlier than beginning, make certain the ability to the sprinkler system is turned off on the circuit breaker or fuse field.
Step 1: Establish the Wires
Establish the wires coming from the controller. There needs to be two wires for every valve: a typical wire and a zone wire. The widespread wire is usually white, yellow, or crimson, whereas the zone wire is usually the identical coloration however with a stripe (e.g., inexperienced with a yellow stripe, crimson with a white stripe).
Step 2: Join the Widespread Wire
Join the widespread wire from the controller to the “C” terminal on the valve. This terminal is normally positioned on the highest or aspect of the valve.
Step 3: Join the Zone Wire
Join the zone wire from the controller to the “Z” terminal on the valve. This terminal is normally positioned subsequent to the “C” terminal.
Step 4: Tighten the Connections
Tighten the screws on the valve terminals to safe the wire connections. Use a screwdriver that’s the acceptable dimension for the screws.
Step 5: Wrap the Wire Nuts
Twist collectively the ends of the 2 wires for every connection and wrap them with a wire nut. Be sure that the wire nuts are tight and safe.
Step 6: Insulate the Wires (Optionally available)
To stop any electrical shorts, slide a chunk of wire insulation over every wire connection. These are sometimes included within the package deal with the valve field or could be bought individually. Merely slide the insulation over the wire nut and safe it across the wires.
| Wire Coloration | Terminal |
|---|---|
| Widespread (white, yellow, or crimson) | “C” |
| Zone (coloured with a stripe) | “Z” |
Reinstalling the Sprinkler Valve Field
After connecting the valve to the piping, it is time to reinstall the valve field. To do that, comply with these steps:
1. Place the Valve Field over the Valve
Place the valve field over the valve, aligning the holes within the field with the screws on the valve. Be sure that the field is seated evenly over the valve.
2. Safe the Valve Field
Insert the screws into the holes within the valve field and tighten them securely. Use a screwdriver or a socket wrench to use agency strain with out overtightening.
3. Join the Electrical Wire (if Relevant)
If the valve is electrically managed, join {the electrical} wire to the designated terminals on the valve. Make sure the wire is securely related and there are not any unfastened or uncovered wires.
4. Substitute the Valve Field Lid
Place the valve field lid on high of the field and safe it by urgent down firmly across the edges. Be sure that the lid is correctly aligned and isn’t tilted or bent.
5. Take a look at the Valve
Activate the water provide and open the guide lever on the valve. Observe whether or not the water flows by means of the sprinkler heads accurately. Examine for any leaks or uncommon sounds.
6. Shut the Guide Lever
As soon as you’ve got confirmed that the valve is working accurately, shut the guide lever to cease the water stream.
7. Last Changes
Regulate the spray sample and radius of the sprinkler heads as wanted. Examine the valve for leaks and make any obligatory changes to make sure it is totally operational. If you happen to encounter any points, contact a professional sprinkler technician for help.
| Steps for Reinstalling Sprinkler Valve Field |
|---|
| 1. Place Valve Field over Valve |
| 2. Safe Valve Field |
| 3. Join Electrical Wire (if Relevant) |
| 4. Substitute Valve Field Lid |
| 5. Take a look at Valve |
| 6. Shut Guide Lever |
| 7. Last Changes |
Adjusting the Sprinkler Valve Clock
To regulate the sprinkler valve clock, first find the management panel. That is normally a small field mounted on the wall or close to the irrigation system’s fundamental water provide. Open the management panel and discover the clock. The clock will sometimes have a number of dials or buttons.
The primary dial or button will set the time of day. Flip the dial or press the button till the right time is displayed. The second dial or button will set the period of every watering cycle. Flip the dial or press the button till the specified period is displayed. The third dial or button will set the frequency of watering. Flip the dial or press the button till the specified frequency is displayed.
After getting set the clock, press the “begin” button. The sprinkler system will now begin watering in keeping with the schedule you’ve set. You possibly can alter the schedule at any time by following the steps above.
Further Suggestions for Adjusting the Sprinkler Valve Clock
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| Time of Day | Period | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | 1 hour | Each different day |
| 12:00 PM | half-hour | As soon as a day |
| 6:00 PM | 1 hour | Each different day |
Testing the Sprinkler System
As soon as the valves are put in and related, it is important to check the sprinkler system to make sure it operates accurately. Beneath is an in depth information that can assist you carry out the testing course of:
9. Troubleshooting Widespread Sprinkler Valve Points
If you happen to encounter any points throughout the testing course of, listed here are some widespread issues it’s possible you’ll face and learn how to troubleshoot them:
Challenge: Sprinkler valves not opening
– Potential trigger: Clogged or defective solenoid, closed guide valve, or defective controller.
– Resolution: Clear or change the solenoid, open the guide valve, or verify and restore the controller.
Challenge: Sprinkler valves leaking
– Potential trigger: Broken diaphragm or leaking seals.
– Resolution: Substitute the diaphragm or seals.
Challenge: Sprinkler valves not closing
– Potential trigger: Particles caught within the valve, worn-out seals, or defective solenoid.
– Resolution: Take away the particles, change the seals, or change the solenoid.
Challenge: Sprinkler valves not functioning in any respect
– Potential trigger: Electrical energy points, defective wiring, or broken valves.
– Resolution: Examine the ability supply, examine the wiring, and change the broken valves.
| Challenge | Potential Trigger | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Sprinkler valves not opening | Clogged or defective solenoid, closed guide valve, or defective controller | Clear or change the solenoid, open the guide valve, or verify and restore the controller |
| Sprinkler valves leaking | Broken diaphragm or leaking seals | Substitute the diaphragm or seals |
| Sprinkler valves not closing | Particles caught within the valve, worn-out seals, or defective solenoid | Take away the particles, change the seals, or change the solenoid |
| Sprinkler valves not functioning in any respect | Electrical energy points, defective wiring, or broken valves | Examine the ability supply, examine the wiring, and change the broken valves |
How To Set up Sprinkler Valves
Putting in sprinkler valves is a comparatively easy course of that may be accomplished in a number of hours. By following these steps, you possibly can be certain that your sprinkler system is correctly put in and functioning accurately.
- **Select the precise location for the valve.** The valve needs to be positioned in a central location that’s simply accessible for upkeep. It also needs to be shielded from the weather, reminiscent of rain and snow.
- **Dig a gap for the valve.** The opening needs to be deep sufficient to accommodate the valve and its fittings. The diameter of the outlet needs to be twice the width of the valve.
- **Place the valve within the gap.** Make it possible for the valve is degree and that the fittings are dealing with the right path.
- **Join the fittings to the valve.** Use a wrench to tighten the fittings securely.
- **Bury the valve.** Backfill the outlet with filth and tamp it down firmly.
- **Activate the water provide.** Open the water provide valve and verify for leaks.
- **Set the timer.** Set the timer to the specified watering schedule.
Individuals Additionally Ask
How do I select the precise sprinkler valve?
There are a number of elements to think about when selecting a sprinkler valve, together with the scale of your sprinkler system, the kind of water strain you’ve, and the options you need. If you’re not sure which valve is best for you, seek the advice of with an expert.
How typically ought to I service my sprinkler valves?
Sprinkler valves needs to be serviced yearly to make sure that they’re functioning correctly. This consists of checking for leaks, cleansing the valve, and changing any worn or broken elements.
What are the indicators of a foul sprinkler valve?
There are a number of indicators that will point out that your sprinkler valve is dangerous, together with:
- Leaks
- Failure to open or shut correctly
- Uncommon noises
- Excessive water payments
