Starting up your sprinkler system for the spring lawn watering season Should be done carefully and professionally Especially if your irrigation system was winterized and evacuated of all of the water in every zone.
A professional sprinkler repair service would first open the bleeder valve on each of the zones. This would require that you know where the irrigation valves are located.
Next, the Water main or the irrigation backflow control valve should be turned on slowly and carefully. Too much water pressure at one time where there is an abundance of air in the pipes can cause the pipes to rupture or the valves to break.
As the air escapes the sprinkler heads each zone should be turned off at the bleeder valve one at a time. The irrigation water main control valve can then be turned completely to the on position.
Doing a sprinkler system restart in the early spring can ensure that you get a jump on Properly maintaining your lawn. It also helps to identify if you have any problems with your system that May need to be scheduled by a professional sprinkler repair service.
Showing posts with label backflow control valve. Show all posts
Showing posts with label backflow control valve. Show all posts
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Lawn Sprinkler Valve Won't Turn Off
So you've started up your irrigation sytem and your Lawn Sprinkler Valve Won't Turn Off. Now what do you do! Why is it doing that? Here is some insight into what is going on and what you or an irrigation contractor might be able to do about it, at least for the time being until you can get the system repaired.
Before you move on to calling a sprinkler repair service, see if you can turn off the backflow control valve. What you're looking for is a green rectangular box that is about 14" x 18". Inside this box you will usually find your backflow control valve. The backflow control valve prevents back siphonage of hazardous waste into your drinking water (if you don't have one, you should consider having one installed). If you can locate this valve, simply turn the valve to the off position.
Another valve that might be in the vicinity of the water main meter would be an emergency shutoff valve, which is a ball valve style shutoff point to isolate the entire sprinkler system water supply. It is often installed in a circular valve box with a green lid, about 5.5" in diameter. If you have a ball valve, it is likely to be located close to the water meter where the lawn irrigation system taps into the pvc or galvanized piping that is your water main. If you have an emergency shutoff ball valve, simply turn it to the off position. If you do not have a provision such as a ball valve to shut off your irrigation in an emergency or for winterization purposes, you may want to consider having one installed.
A third valve, which is actually the zone valve that is malfunctioning and staying stuck in the "on" position, is your zone valve. These are often located in a round green box or in one rectangular green box in what is called a valve manifold setup. If you can figure out where this valve is located, you can manually work the valve on and off to see if it seats and allows the system to shut down. What is causing your problem is the fact that the valve is either old and faulty or it has debris in it which is not allowing it to seat and seal properly.
After trying all of the above, as a last resort, you can opt to turn off your water main. I say last resort because you want some water pressure to your sprinkler system to see if you can get by without totally shutting down your water supply...don't you? So to turn off the water main, locate your meter then turn the key to the off position.
Tuning up your irrigation for your yard in the spring can help to prevent system failure, particularly to prevent or preemptively diagnose issues where a zone valve that won't turn off. Precautions should be taken in case of such failure, such as the installation of emergency plumbing water main shutoff ballvalve or a back flow preventer (which can be shut off). Lastly, excercise caution when working around pressurized pvc pipes, faulty valves and wires as they may be hazardous.
Before you move on to calling a sprinkler repair service, see if you can turn off the backflow control valve. What you're looking for is a green rectangular box that is about 14" x 18". Inside this box you will usually find your backflow control valve. The backflow control valve prevents back siphonage of hazardous waste into your drinking water (if you don't have one, you should consider having one installed). If you can locate this valve, simply turn the valve to the off position.
Another valve that might be in the vicinity of the water main meter would be an emergency shutoff valve, which is a ball valve style shutoff point to isolate the entire sprinkler system water supply. It is often installed in a circular valve box with a green lid, about 5.5" in diameter. If you have a ball valve, it is likely to be located close to the water meter where the lawn irrigation system taps into the pvc or galvanized piping that is your water main. If you have an emergency shutoff ball valve, simply turn it to the off position. If you do not have a provision such as a ball valve to shut off your irrigation in an emergency or for winterization purposes, you may want to consider having one installed.
A third valve, which is actually the zone valve that is malfunctioning and staying stuck in the "on" position, is your zone valve. These are often located in a round green box or in one rectangular green box in what is called a valve manifold setup. If you can figure out where this valve is located, you can manually work the valve on and off to see if it seats and allows the system to shut down. What is causing your problem is the fact that the valve is either old and faulty or it has debris in it which is not allowing it to seat and seal properly.
After trying all of the above, as a last resort, you can opt to turn off your water main. I say last resort because you want some water pressure to your sprinkler system to see if you can get by without totally shutting down your water supply...don't you? So to turn off the water main, locate your meter then turn the key to the off position.
Tuning up your irrigation for your yard in the spring can help to prevent system failure, particularly to prevent or preemptively diagnose issues where a zone valve that won't turn off. Precautions should be taken in case of such failure, such as the installation of emergency plumbing water main shutoff ballvalve or a back flow preventer (which can be shut off). Lastly, excercise caution when working around pressurized pvc pipes, faulty valves and wires as they may be hazardous.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Backflow Control Valves
You can prevent contaminants from entering your water supply via your lawn sprinkler system by using backflow prevention devices or backflow control valves. The installation of these devices is required by law in some areas. Even if they are not a legal requirement, installing them is just good practice.
The on/off valves alone are not sufficient for preventing backflow. Over time, they can break or leak, allowing chemicals from the irrigation water to flow back into your water supply. These chemicals can include pesticides, fertilizers, and/or animal waste.
The on/off valves alone are not sufficient for preventing backflow. Over time, they can break or leak, allowing chemicals from the irrigation water to flow back into your water supply. These chemicals can include pesticides, fertilizers, and/or animal waste.
There are several types of backflow control valves. Double check valve assemblies (DCVA) are the most common, and are used for inline underground sprinkler systems. They are not approved for the prevention of backflow from irrigation systems containing hazardous substances. They are acceptable for sprinkler systems that aren’t injected with chemicals. Pressure valve breaker assemblies (PVBA) are the least expensive type of backflow control valve. They are easy to install, repair, and maintain. PVBA’s do not protect water lines, only the assembly itself. Commercial properties will use devices called reduced pressure zone assemblies. They have the highest level of protection, and are also the most expensive. If you have less than 6 control valves, atmospheric breakers are your best backflow prevention option. They are inexpensive, and each control valve will need an AVB installed.
You may also want to purchase accessories for your backflow control valves. Filter attachments are available to filter sediment from the system. Device enclosures are good for preventing theft and for heat insulation as a winterizing measure. You can also find test kits and repair kits that are portable and come complete with all the needed fittings and gauges.
Backflow control valves are a simple, inexpensive way to keep your family’s water supply safe from toxic or potentially hazardous chemicals. The importance of these backflow control valves cannot be stressed enough, which is why some areas require them by law. If you need one installed on your lawn sprinkler system or have one that needs repair or maintenance, give us a shout!
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