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

No, you do not have tho use Rain-Bird again, although it would be a sound choice. Rain-Bird makes quality products. The main thing is to make sure you get a valve that can handle your watering requirements. Such requirements as voltage (24 vac, 120 vac, etc...), flow rates in gallons per minute, and maximum working pressure.

The best way I have found to remove the mud and dirt is to dig up the valve box and use a hand trowel or your hands to dig the mud and dirt from around the valve(s). This will also give you a lot of room to work on the valve.

<b>Replace the Solenoid and Diaphram at the same time</b>
I recommend replacing the entire valve top and internals instead of just the solenoid. If the solenoid is bad the diaphram is more than likely not going to last to much longer and you will find yourself digging the valve up again in the near future. Besides, a complete new valve is almost the same price as a new solenoid and you can use the new valve to get all your new parts very easily.

<b>How to do it</b>
Use plenty of paper towels to wipe the dirt away from the valve top and side to allow you to replace the valve top and internals by unscrewing the screws or unscrew the valve screw on top if it has a screw top. You would need to replace the valve top and internals with the exact same model of the older valve you are replacing. Otherwise you would need to cut out the valve and replace it with any brand and any model valve as long as it fits on the same pipe size.

You just unscrew the top of the valve off the new valve and use it (which has a new soleniod on it) and the diaphram and spring inside the new valve to replace the old parts on the old valve. Once you open a new valve and see how simple it is inside, you should feel comfortable doing this. It is soooooo easy!!!!!


I hope this helps.