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Two front zones have low pressure

pwps

New Member

Posts: 4

Location: Centennial, CO

1

Monday, June 3rd 2013, 9:47am

Two front zones have low pressure

I have a Rainbird system with 4 zones: 2 in front and 2 in
back. Each zone has between 5-6 heads. The 2 zones in back work just fine. The 2
zones in front are the issue—the pressure has dropped recently. When each of
the front zones is on, a couple of the heads pop up and put out a little water while most of the other heads
don’t pop up at all. The ones that don’t pop up still put out water. And on the
ones that don’t pop up, if I manually pull them up, they just drop right back
down when I let go.

I tried to test this weekend for any leaks. I ran each zone
for several minutes but didn’t see any obvious wet spots. I also ran each zone
manually via turning the solenoid and still saw the same low pressure. So my
next guess is a tree root. Before I go digging up my yard, I just want to make
sure there’s nothing obvious that I’m missing. Is it still possible that it
could be a simple replacement of the two valves and/or solenoids? Thanks for any help!


Just for visual aid, here’s my valve control box (the water is from opening the bleed screws):

mrfixit

Moderator

Posts: 1,510

Location: USA

2

Monday, June 3rd 2013, 11:25am

Try turning the valves on with the bleeder screw instead of the solenoid. Do they get full pressure that way? If so there's a problem with the valves.
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So all four valves are in the same box. Both front and backyard valves. I was going to suggest that maybe someone closed a shut off valve somewhere but that would affect all four valves.
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Unless you have polypipe installed in your yard it probably isn't tree roots.
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I know you looked for break in the lines but maybe look again.
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Do the sprinkler seals leak really bad? Could be you just need new sprinklers. Try pulling up two or more sprinklers at once and see if you can get them to seal. Yes you'll need really long arms or someone to help you.
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Good luck!

pwps

New Member

Posts: 4

Location: Centennial, CO

3

Monday, June 3rd 2013, 8:03pm

I did try the bleeder screws as well--same low pressure :(

I hope there are not polypipes in the ground. We bought our house 5 years ago and the previous owners had installed the system. I'm not sure what kind of lines he put down. I may do a little digging this weekend just to see.

I can check again this weekend for a leak. Yesterday I ran the zone for about 5 minutes or so and then shut it off to look for the leak. Maybe I should let it go a little longer.

I haven't noticed the seals leak or anything. I see if I can get my wife to help me with a couple of the heads.

Thanks for the input!

Wet_Boots

Supreme Member

Posts: 4,102

Location: Metro NYC

4

Monday, June 3rd 2013, 8:39pm

You definitely have poly pipe in the zones, but don't sweat it. Trees do just about whatever they want to when it comes to roots causing damage.

pwps

New Member

Posts: 4

Location: Centennial, CO

5

Tuesday, June 4th 2013, 9:04am

Are polypipes fairly typical? This house is my first experience with an irrigation system and since it was previously installed I have no idea what they put down. I just assumed it was PVC pipe.

Wet_Boots

Supreme Member

Posts: 4,102

Location: Metro NYC

6

Tuesday, June 4th 2013, 9:19am

If you had included your location when you signed up, it would have become obvious. As it happens, your valve manifold is constructed with fittings used in systems that employ poly pipe, and I can see the grey plastic of insert fittings on the outlets of the two zone valves.

pwps

New Member

Posts: 4

Location: Centennial, CO

7

Tuesday, June 4th 2013, 10:08am

Ah, I wasn't asked my location during the sign up process. I guess you have to go into your profile after the fact and update that info. But yeah, I'm in Centennial, CO. Just south of Denver.

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