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

I am having the same problem, I believe the zone valve is leaking so I will investigate further to see if I need a new diaphram or can flush the zone any dirt etc. I have have rainbird dvf control valves what are you using?

I'm pretty inexperienced with sprinklers other than adding sprinkler heads and replacing them. I have a Hunter sprinkler system and over the past 2 years I've had 1 head leaking but it never looked as if the head was the problem. Finally after turning on and off the main water supply valve to prevent the sprinkler head from leaking when not in use, I needed to activate the system and when doing so, I could hear the 1st valve in my 3 zone system attempting to activate but the sprinkler heads in zone 1 would not push out of the ground. If I go to the box where the valves are located and manually adjust a large screw on top of the valve for zone 1, the sprinklers activate and the following 2 zones activate as they should after the programmed time limit is reached.

It is my conclusion with my limited knowledge (dart throw in the dark), that the valve for zone 1 is the cause of my leak mentioned above and needs to be replaced, repaired or adjusted. Can you assist in knowledge here or guide me in any way?