We would be happy to be your choice for Irrigation and Sprinkler System Wire and Valve Tracing Service. Valves that need to be serviced can get buried under sod, dirt, pine straw, etc over time and would need to be located using specialized equipment. Busy Bee Sprinkler Repair can help. We would need access to the control panel which is usually located in the garage as well as access to all parts of your yard (so please make sure the dog is up). Here's how we locate valves:
Basically speaking, a "ping" is sent from the known location of the wire at the control panel in the particular zone socket in question. This signal travels through the wire to the solenoid on the sprinkler valve (if the sprinkler valve still exists and has not been removed). Specialized equipment can trace this signal and map it throughout the yard, bringing the technician closer to the valve. When the receiver is close to the valve, a solid signal is evident and the valve can either be uncovered or poked with a tool that would penetrate the ground.
In the case of a broken sprinkler system wire, the wire would be traced in the same way, but the skill level of the technician would have to be higher because they would be looking for a slight change in the signal as opposed to the usual solid noise. Nicks and severe damage to underground wires can be difficult to locate, but can usually be found with the right equipment and skill level.
One of the reasons that you would want to have your sprinkler zone system and wires mapped out is if you have a zone that won't turn off. Usually, such a zone would slightly weep water out of the sprinkler head, causing dead grass, mushy soil, slick spots on walkways, etc. The cause of zones not turning off is faulty zone valves that would need to be serviced or replaced.
For this and more sprinkler and irrigation system repair topics, visit us on the web or call (803)331-5323. We service Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, West Columbia, and Cayce with the finest in sprinkler repair.
