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Extreme wet Area
I suddenly have an extremely wet area in my lawn, and cannot ascertain the problem. The heads in that particular zone work fine, and do not appear to be faulty. I shut off the water to the system at the main box (near curb), and after five days the water is still there, and the area is not drying? A sprinkler repairman told me that it cannot be the sprinkler system if indeed the pressure was off?
The main water line comes into my home quite a ways away, and I know of no other sources for this problem in that area. The water meter moves ever so slightly so I do indeed have a very slow leak somewhere .
I am not sure whether to call plumber or sprinkler repair....please tell....could the sprinkler be the problem, even with the pressure off? Desperate to get this fixed with out major expenses...[V]
Depending on the type of soil in your area, it my take longer than five days to completely dry. It might be a main line break or leak. Try letting it dry for a little longer. Then dig in the center of the wet area and see what you can find. Chances are, You will find a main line crack or a valve that needs repair (or maybe even Jimmy Hoffa...LOL).
Since it will be hard for you to go without water for five days, try and find the valve that goes to the irrigation system only and turn it off (if you haven't done that already). You may also want to turn on a few zones manually (at the solenoids) to relieve the pressure on the main line. This will make for faster drying in the area of question.
Josh
Irrigation /Landscape Lighting / Pump and Well Specialist
A sprinkler shutoff valve could have a slow leak, so turning the handle wouldn't accomplish anything. You'd also need to open a drain on the system, so that water could drip out, upstream of the pipes in the yard.
Thanks folks...will try letting it dry for another couple of days, and see what happens. Can I assume by your replies, that it could indeed by my sprinkler system, EVEN WITH THE SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AT THE BOX?
Sorry for the typo...should have read "be my" instead by me....
Be my, by me, whatever...sorry. It was that 2nd glass of red that didi it.
When you say " box" what do you mean? Is it the controller that you are referring too, or the valve box where the shut off valve is located?
Josh
Irrigation /Landscape Lighting / Pump and Well Specialist
Electric shutoff (controller) is meaningless. Think mechanical. Shut off the flow of water into the system, and open a drain.
I've shut the system off at the box near the curb (two spigets). I do not understand what you are saying when you mention "open a drain"?
Sorry, I am a novice, and very much appreciate your help...
Dick
What Boots means is to open a valve, or something in line to relieve the pressure and amount of water in the main line. If you do not know of any, try opening a valve (one of your electric control valves) manually. You can do this by twisting the solenoid on your valve or the manual external bleed (if available on your make / model) and that will relieve any pressure in the line. Although it is not as thorough as a drain, it should suffice.
Josh
Irrigation /Landscape Lighting / Pump and Well Specialist
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