Sprinkler valves control the flow of water in a sprinkler system and are often controlled by a solenoid. They can fail due to obstructions or faults in the solenoid or wiring, and should be cleaned and maintained regularly to prevent issues.
Landscaping, when properly cared for, can make a significant positive difference in the appearance of a yard and the market value of a home. A sprinkler system is often included when a yard is landscaped, to ensure adequate watering of the lawn and other plants. A sprinkler valve is a mechanism that controls the flow of water in a sprinkler system. These valves can be operated manually or via a timing device.
Modern sprinkler valves are controlled by an electrical device called a solenoid. This device opens and closes the path for the passage of water through the valve. Two pipes are connected to the sprinkler valve: the inlet and the outlet. The inlet pipe brings water from the domestic supply to the valve. The inlet terminates in the center of the valve with a plug called a diaphragm, which is held in place with a rod and spring that are attached to the top of the valve housing.
When the solenoid is activated, it allows the air inside the valve to escape. Without this pressure within the valve, the diaphragm lifts and lets the water flow into the outlet and out into the sprinkler system. When the solenoid is activated in the opposite direction, the reverse occurs and the diaphragm pushes back down onto a seal, closing the sprinkler valve.
It is possible for a sprinkler valve to fail in normal operation, even if it is new. If it doesn’t close, it’s almost always because something got stuck inside it. Grains of sand, small rocks, twigs, and even insects can cause a valve to fail. Simply opening the valve and removing the obstruction usually resolves the problem.
Once the valve has been cleaned, the inlet pipe leading to the valve should be cleaned by letting the water run for a minute or two. It is also recommended to install a filter upstream of the valve to prevent future problems, especially if the failure has occurred more than once. The cost of ongoing valve repair or replacement is higher than the cost of a filter.
When a sprinkler valve fails to open, this is usually due to a fault in the solenoid or the wiring that drives it. The only fix for this is to replace the solenoid or wiring accordingly. Solenoids are notoriously difficult, if not impossible, to properly repair, so replacement is the best way to go.
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