SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

yeah, i guess my expert isn't such an expert. i'll start with the diaphragm and see if that does it. then, if not, a whole new valve. i don't have a flow control adjuster. just the solenoid and bleed.

as for the water in the box, its from me opening the bleed. and, not doing such a great job of putting the box and top back on. i figure it may be smart to dig all around and fill with class 5 or pea stone and then reset the box.

thanks for your help.

It still sounds like a bad diaphragm. They can get stiff and not open all the way via the timer but will open all the way when you open the bleed screw. As far as not shutting off goes. Here's three reasons off the top of my head. One, the diaphragm is stiff and doesn't want to close after you opened it all the way. Two, the old diaghpragm has a hole in it. Three, the flow control is open too far or you don't have a flow control at all. There's more but you can see there's something wrong with the valve. You either need a new diaphragm which should fix the problem or replace the whole valve. I'd still be asking myself where the water in the box is coming from. Your expert should have repaired the valve. He knew it wasn't fixed. Good luck!

o.k...got an expert out and we figured a few things out. unfortunately, afew days after the heads got weak again. he thought it was a root, and it probaby was. tonight I manually operated the valve and the trouble zone works great. so, a few questions:
1. when you manually operae a valve, how do you shut it off. I can't get it to turn off, other than shut down the water.
2. is there a ogica reason why a valve would supply more pressure under manual operation as compared to using the control box.

thanks.

Congrats! Now you know valve's getting power. Good job!
Is it ok to have water in the box. That's a loaded question. But for the simple purpose of changing a diaphragm you'll be ok. You might want to ask yourself where the water in the box is coming from. Good luck!

o.k. finally I found the valve. what an ordeal. Anyway, when the zone I was having the most trouble with kicked on, the line sounded sort of bubbly, sort of gurgling. I could hear it inthe ground. i just followed it and it lead me to the valve box. The box is full of mud. i removed the mud. Any hints on the gurgling sound. should I just replace the valve? There's alot of water in the box. Is it okay to take the valve top off and inspect with some water inside?

thanks. i'll get another repairman over. i'll bet i'm close. but i may be doing more harm than good. i'll keep you posted.

Ok you've made some progress. I'd stop digging and call a reputable repairman. He can start from the bush where you left off. That is if you dug up the right bundle of wires for the particular valve you need to find. Now you can see why a shovel's not a good idea. It's possible those wires branch off in different directions. Plus if you accidently cut a wire and not realize it, you now have another valve that wont come on and you again have to find the problem with a wire locator. Don't be discouraged. I promise that a repairman who knows what he's doing will find the valve. Good luck!

he charged $120. the wires (2 of them) come from one side of the house, from the control box. the backflow preventer is on the other side. i did follow the wire with a shovel, it lead me in a strange pattern and then into a bush next to the house where i lost it.

i am stumped and my wife is pissed. it's getting frustrating.

The answer is yes. The guy you hired should have found it with the wire locator though. Maybe hire someone with a little more experience.
Sometimes the signal is hard to follow but with persistence you WILL find the valves. I'm a little surprised a professional couldn't find one of 11 valves. There's a very good possibility that there are valves in more than one location. Following the wire with a shovel isn't your best option. If I couldn't find a valve I wouldn't charge you. Good luck!

hi. Me again. I hired a guy and he couldn't find any boxes. we did find wire. so, yesterday I started following the wire. my question: if i follow the wire i'll find the manifold....correct?