Make sure the sprinkler valve is closed, unless it's the valve farthest from the main water source. You'll want to leave this valve open and remove the sprinkler nozzle to allow air to escape when you turn on the water.

Should solenoid valve be open or closed?

Because solenoid valves are so important to the automation of fluid and gas control, it's vital that the right solenoid valve be used for a certain function. One commonly used solenoid valve is one that is normally open. ... This effectively seals the valve, preventing the gas or liquid from flowing through.

How do I know if my sprinkler solenoid is bad?

Signs that Your Sprinkler Valve Solenoid is Bad

1. Never-ending water: The valve solenoid may get stuck open, allowing all or a trickle of water through at all times. ...
2. Water leaks: High pressure from a broken solenoid can put a lot of stress on your sprinkler system and burst small or large leaks throughout it.

How tight should sprinkler solenoid be?

You will need to locate your valve boxes and twist the solenoid(s) on the valves clockwise until snug. The solenoid is located on the top of the valve and looks like a cylinder with two wires coming out of it.

How do you tell if a sprinkler valve is open or closed?

If the handle on top is parallel to the valve, it's open. Likewise, if the handle is perpendicular to the top, the valve is closed. Common places you might find a ball valve are in irrigation and in sites where you need to control water supply from one area to another.

Troubleshooting irrigation sprinkler valves

31 related questions found

What position should sprinkler valves be in?

There should be two, usually blue handled, ball valves (one on the side closest to the house and one on the side going to the irrigation system). Both should start in the closed position (perpendicular to the pipe).

Should water valves be fully open?

Similar to gate valves, ball valves should be all the way open to allow the full flow of water or all the way closed to restrict all water from flowing. The valve is controlled by moving it between 0 and 90 degrees. If the lever is aligned with the pipe, water will flow.

Why is my sprinkler system stuck on one zone?

If only one zone is malfunctioning in your sprinkler system, it's likely caused by a valve in that particular zone. More specifically, it may be an issue with the zone control valve. Use an external bleed screw to dislodge any dirt or debris that may be stuck in the diaphragm of the valve.

Why does my sprinkler valve stay open?

Air Trapped in the Valve:

The valves may have air trapped in them. A small bubble of air becomes trapped in the tiny water ports of the valve, this stops the water from flowing through the port. Since the water flowing through the port is what holds the valve diaphragm closed, the valve stays open.

How do you unstick a solenoid?

Wear and tear to the wire or slug can also cause the solenoid to become stuck. A gentle tap on the casing is enough to dislodge the metal slug so that the solenoid can work properly. Reassemble your electronic device, following manufacturer's instructions for the specific piece of equipment.

How do you test a sprinkler solenoid?

Valve Test Procedure:

1. Turn off the water supply to the irrigation system using an isolation valve.
2. Disconnect the solenoid wires from the controller.
3. Using and multimeter test the number of ohms through the solenoid. 20-60 ohms – Good. ...
4. If solenoid tests Good, then the solenoid is OK.

How do I know if my solenoid valve is open?

Check if valve is normally closed (power to open) Or Normally Open (Power to close) Use magnetic detector lift coil slightly to check if magnetic field is present.Do not remove coil if energised as IT WILL BURN OUT Check contacts Check wire connections and DIN connector. Check fuses.

Do solenoids fail open or closed?

normally closed or normally open refers to the position of the solenoid when the coil is de-energized. A normally closed solenoid will block the air supply from the actuator when the coil is de-energized.

Can a solenoid be stuck open?

Generally, the most common reason a solenoid is “stuck” open or closed is because it loses power. If there's no power to the coil or if power is interrupted, the solenoid will cease functioning and remain in whatever position it was last in.

How do I turn off one sprinkler zone?

To remove the entire valve: Turn off the water to the entire sprinkler system. Then manually turn ON the valve you want to remove, the sprinklers will come on for a few seconds then slowly shut off as the water discharges from the pipes and the pressure is released.

How much should main water valve be open?

It should stop at a ¼ turn. Open a tub or sink faucet (hot and cold) on the highest level of the home to relieve pressure, and watch that spout to ensure that water has stopped flowing. Then continue to open faucets throughout the home to drain-down as needed.

Will closing valve reduce water pressure?

The mains shut off valve controls the overall flow of water into your home. However, if the shut-off valve is even partially closed, it can cause a reduction in the mains water pressure to your home. Simply inspecting the mains shut off valve, and ensuring it is fully open can help to restore normal water pressure.