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

I agree fixit...

I've never had an inspector fail a sprinkler system... and in most cases they've left it completely alone.. in about probably 40-60% of the cases the homeowner is simply trying to do the 'right' thing...but don't over do it.

Other times it's left in dis-array...

Interestingly enough though stats state a sprinkler system can add 1-3% of value to the property up here.

So a check valve down stream of a stink ugly avb valve above ground ... far from the list of priority...

Again if it happens.. Big whoop just fix it

If you're worried about the wrath of God bury it underground.

If its only one head which sounds like the last head in the zone. And the rest of the heads are spraying fine. Sounds like a clog to me. You may have to dig the sprinkled headvup back to the end of the pipe run - cut the pipe and flush

Quoted from "mrfixit"

You're the home owner. Do what you want.

Of course, you might want to someday sell the house, so it makes sense to follow the plumbing codes, so that it passes inspections. The codes prohibit adding any other valves downstream of the antisyphon valves.

You're the home owner. Do what you want.

You do not tinker with the plumbing downstream of the antisyphon valves. No check valves. No electric valves. No shutoff valves. These edicts are etched in stone. If a head is higher than your antisyphon valves, lower it, or raise the valve. If the small amount of water escaping the vacuum breaker is a problem, then you change the grade so that the water drains away from the valves.

This is all very simple stuff. No need to make matters complicated.

That's a good idea about a spring loaded check valve, if this is an ongoing thing I will do that. I assume I could then redirect the back flow water to somewhere preferable.

No, the valve does not leak when they are running, it is only after I turn it off that water comes back up.

And yes, I believe I turned the water back on all the way, never hurts to double check though.

I have tried a few sprinkler heads, one of them was brand new.

At the moment there is only one sprinkler head on this line (one of the large rain bird maxi rotor canister types). I am guess there are more connections, they were just covered up. I have a large bed of gravel covering where I think the rest of the line is.

I like your idea to cap off the sprinkler head, and turn the water on, then wait for a complete break. I bet I could then uncap the line, and see a total loss of preassure, indicating a complete break. Then I could know for sure and start digging up the gravel and then dig up the line. Does anyone want 1-2 tons of free gravel

If the only drainage is when the zone shuts off, then it might be the spring-loaded heads pushing water back to the source. No big deal.

That's a lot of drainage but it happens. Your sprinkler line must be higher up in elevation than the valve. You could install a spring loaded check valve right after the valve to eliminate the drainage.

Look at the seals of the sprinklers. Do they leak a lot when the sprinklers first come on? Do they leak when the sprinklers are on? That could be the problem as well. New sprinklers may elimate the problem if they do.

Try turning off one sprinkler at a time while it's running to see if that last sprinkler pops up.

Did you turn the water back on all the way after changing the valve?

Make sure the valve's on all the way via a flow control if there is one.

I've been known to turn off the sprinkler heads to make a break in the pipe surface more quickly.

Close off the heads, and run the zone, which forces water out of the break.